June 2004 - Writers Magazine

News Review

• ‘I feel that writing is a moral act. I feel that those who portray an aggressive, vulgar, debased attitude towards life are conniving in that life, and I think publishers should reject them.’ Alexander McCall Smith


• Why are dead poets dead? A recent study shows that poets are likely to die younger than any other kind of writer.


• Will Clinton's expensive and well-hyped memoir be the biggest book of the year?


• The Next Generation Poets - a new list which 'proves that contemporary poetry is thriving.  Individually and collectively, these poets have a remarkable range, appeal and authority.’ Andrew MotionEnglish poet, novelist and biographer; Poet Laureate of United Kingdom from 1999 to 2009; during his laureateship founded the Poetry Archive, an online resource of poems and audio recordings of poets reading their own work, Poet Laureate and Chair of the judges

Comment

• 'It's not just perfectly OK but positively chic to watch or read history.'                                           Susan Watt of HarperCollins UK


• 'Everybody should sit down and write the story of their life when they reach 50... Bill Clinton, on writing his memoir, My Life.


• A book is like a stage. You've got people a little larger than life always. It's not photographic so you have to exaggerate a bit... Muriel Spark


• 'Both sides are coming to understand that selling fewer books at greater discounts is not the way to go...' Anthony Forbes Watson, CEO of Penguin Group UK

Writers' Quotes

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  ‘No-one is going to sit down and read Bleak House to the family any more, but they can all huddle up happily in front of Charles Bronson.'
                     Martin Amis

Poster

This month's new poster deals with Experts - who needs them?