Literary tributes to Alan Rickman, a computer writing poetry, and more

News, Reviews, and Interviews

We’re sad to report that Mexican Amercian poet Francisco X. Alarcón died of cancer last week. His poetry explored Chicano life in the US. He contributed a poem to WLT’s November 2012 feature “Law and Literature.” 

Next Monday at 7 p.m., the New York Foundation for the Arts and three-time NYFA fellowship recipient Saïd Sayfrafiezadeh will host a reading featuring NYFA writing fellows Kathryn Harrison, Phillip Lopate, Catherine Lacey, and Rajesh Parameswaran. 

Latin One rounds up must-read books from Latin American authors (including Neustadt laureate Gabriel García Márquez) for young Latinos. 

Writer and WLT contributor Cynthia Haven discusses her biography on French literary critic and philosopher René Girard, forthcoming from Michigan State University Press. 

Ploughshares provides a list of excellent resources for finding Asian literature in translation. 

The National Book Critics Circle announced its award nominees this week. 

In this TED Talk, Oscar Schwartz examines why we react strongly to the idea of a computer writing poetry. 

This month, Gene Luen Yang became the fifth Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, and over the next two years he will provide lectures throughout the United States to promote reading among children and teenagers.

Fun Finds and Inspiration 

Books sometimes reference pop culture elements like iPods, Seinfeld, Bright Eyes, and other things that can make a novel feel dated. Electric Literature asks: Should fiction be timeless?

Literary Hub gives a nod to writers who don’t let their creative drive wane as the years pass. Check out these 10 books by writers who are over the age of 75. 

Breaking Bad’s Moira Walley-Beckett is adapting Anne of Green Gables for television.

Bustle paid tribute to Alan Rickman by featuring six of his best acting roles based on literary characters.