Newsletter #9

Dear Bibliophile,

There was a snowstorm yesterday in Dublin. Unseasonable. And you realise, how quickly the soft and white turns into hard and slippery. As I worked from home, it was a day of wonder to watch snow transform in the light. Melting into grey ice before turning to water. Snow. No idea why cocaine is called the same unless it’s about the crash afterwards.

But what you’re here for is news and not my rambles. Enjoy the newsletter.

Your very own,

Literary Curator

5 Literary News In 50 Words

New book on Pope John Paul II stirs up debate in Polish politics

Poland’s parliament passed a resolution defending the name of John Paul II after a new book said the late Pope knowingly covered up clerical paedophilia scandals when he was archbishop of Krakow. The allegations about John Paul, first Polish pope, aired in a documentary, provoked fierce debate in one of Europe’s most devoutly Roman Catholic nations. (Reuters) Read more.

Trump to publish book of letters from Kim Jong-un, Oprah Winfrey

Donald Trump will publish a second post-presidential book next month – reportedly including controversial correspondence with Kim Jong-un, the leader of North Korea. According to Axios, Letters to Trump will contain 150 private letters written over more than 40 years, and from figures also including Hillary Clinton, Richard Nixon and Oprah Winfrey. (The Guardian) Read more.

Overdue book returned to Oregon library after 44 years

An Oregon library said a package recently arrived in the mail that turned out to contain a children’s book checked out in spring 1979.The Deschutes Public Library said in a Facebook post that librarians opened the package and discovered a copy of The Hockey Trick by Scott Corbett, a check for $20 and an apologetic note. (UPI) Read more.

Book on past and present of homes of Bengal stalwarts

A book on 100 Bengal luminaries, mostly from Kolkata, and the present condition of the houses they lived in was launched at Aurobindo Bhaban, Kolkata, India. The book titled Story behind Storey: Luminaries of Bengal — written by architect Indrani Sarkar and published by Intach — tells the story of these personalities, and their lives and contributions. (The Telegraph India) Read more.

Gen Z bookworms shunning e-books for libraries

There’s no doubt that Gen Z loves to read. This generation, defined as people born between 1997 and 2015, is often considered phone-obsessed and addicted to technology. But when it comes to reading, they prefer to pick up a printed book over an e-book. They’re choosing to ditch digital formats and opt for the timeless paperback book. (The Insider) Read more.

5 Places To Submit Prose & Poetry

Being a writer is part of your own understanding, and what you decide to share with the world is of your personal choice. When you do have something ready, here are places with open submissions window:

1. Banshee I till March 31 l All genre l Details here.
2. Manchester writing competitions I till Sept 1 I Poetry & Prose I Details here.
3. Daily Science Fiction l Ongoing I Short Story & Flash Fiction I Details here.
4. The Common I till June 1 l All genre I Details here.
5. Tin House Fall Residency I till March 22 I All genre I Details here.

Writing Prompt:

I feel like there’s so much exhaustion going around that a prompt may simply fall through the cracks. So instead of a word, item, colour, and other so-called evocative things, simply put down your day as a journal entry. Write as much or as little as you want. Save it, burn it.  

Things To Read:

• Short story The Dead by James Joyce. Read here.
• ‘Sensitivity readers’ changing publishing industry. Read here.
• Caroline Bird reads ‘Patient Intake Questionnaire’. Watch here.