If you’re on the Daily Rumpus mailing list, then you already know that Stephen Elliott wasn’t kidding when he promised to send a letter every single day. He writes about whatever’s new on the Rumpus, or on his mind lately, or if he maybe needs a place to crash in the UK. They’re all fine and good, as daily mass emails go, but his most recent missive really stood out to me. He seems like he’s really firing on all cylinders right now, and so his letter is reproduced in full after the jump. After you read it, you’ll probably want to go to the site and sign up for the mailing list, so you too can get nifty notes like this every day. READ MORE >
Adam Robinson—
I was wondering, when you think about submitting a full-length manuscript to a press, how much do you consider how long they’re going to be around for? If you don’t feel like answering that, at least go watch this very funny .gif (via Very Most Good).
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Justin Taylor—
As part of the myriad activities planned to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China on Oct. 1, the normally staid National Bureau of Statistics is letting its hair down a bit.
I Will Smash You
I’ve been excited for a while now about the forthcoming film I Will Smash You, a collaboration between Luca Dipierro and Michael Kimball for Little Burn Films. As of now, the project is complete and getting ready to make the rounds of the independent film circuit. Some new information has also been released:
First, a new trailer, featuring Adam Robinson smashing a hymn:
Why Fellner Removed His ALC Post
For those still interested in the ALC/Fellner story, I spoke with Steve Fellner over the phone on Saturday. I want to share his side (with his permission) regarding why he took down the original post that vehemently condemned Seth Abramson’s MFA application consulting firm.
Sam Pink—
have you ever gotten into a routine that required a specific environment/ambience when working on a project? have you ever tried to only work under certain conditions? what were the results? is it best to always change up the environment? are there any more well-known books that resulted from such an experiment? i just feel interested in this because sometimes i get into a project and it requires the repetition of almost the exact same room, food, time, cat-petting, and music. but then, at a certain point, i change it all so i can test the moods in the project.
Please Support InsideOut Literary Arts Project [A letter from Peter Markus]
The Calm, by Timothy Pace
Dear Friends,
The InsideOut Literary Arts Project, where I work as its Senior Writer, is looking for your help.
For the past 15 years, InsideOut has placed creative writers—poets, novelists, short story writers—into Detroit Public School classrooms as a way of getting students to actively engage in the power and pleasure of language and the imagination.
I’ve been a writer with InsideOut since its inception. It’s a part of who I am in the world. I can tell you, first-hand, that the work we do changes lives.
When a child picks up a pencil and is asked to gaze up inside it, anything—no everything—is possible.
When you write it down, I often tell them, people have no choice but to listen, to see what you see, to know what you know.
See for yourself. Check out this poem written by a 4th grader at Fitzgerald Elementary.
READ MORE >
Blake Butler—
Anyone know of any good movies in which a labyrinth or series of tunnels figures heavily (such as The Shining or Satyricon, or even, in its own way, Solaris)? Having fucked maze dreams lately and want to extend it into waking life.
WILA (Women In Literary Arts)
Cate Marvin & Erin Belieu are starting a movement for a conference based solely on women’s writing, with an emphasis on contemporary women’s writing.
Dear Friends,
A few days ago, Cate Marvin sent out an open letter to a group of women writers detailing her concerns about certain aspects of the AWP conference and asking if other women felt the same way. She then suggested the brilliant notion of a women’s writing conference and wondered who would be interested in such a thing. The letter has since gone out to hundreds, has been posted in many places, and the response has been absolutely tremendous. This leads us to believe that our moment is definitely NOW (pun intended).
Check out the rest of the letter, along with Marvin’s original letter, by visiting their Facebook group — which already has over 3,000 members (including me) — and while you’re there you should consider joining.