Writing Sentences, the Neustadt Festival, advice from Ezra Pound, and more

This week is filled with new events that are sure to fill up your calendar, including those scheduled for this year's Neustadt Festival. You'll also find some indispensable advice from two writers in our Fun Finds section.

News, Reviews, and Interviews

Writer and literary organizer Rochelle Spencer shares her views on the act of writing as an "unselfish act" at Poets & Writers.

Kelly Burdick, executive director for Melville House, sat down to an interview at blog Publishing the World.

Amanda Coplin explores the link between fiction she reads and the reality she experiences in her own life at the Powell's Books blog.

Australia's The Age offers a report from the Melbourne Writers Festival, which took place at the end of last month.

Eileen Murphy discusses various approaches to teaching poetry in the classroom at the Poetry Foundation.

At the Arabic Literature (in English) blog, Iraqi-American author Layla Qasrany wonders why there aren't more Iraqi stories being published.

Christopher R. Beha reflects on one of the most basic aspects of writing in his essay, "On Making Sentences Do Something," at The Millions.

Author Krys Lee served on a panel at this year's Edinburgh International Book Festival. You can find her thoughts about the panel and the festival at the English PEN website.

For Your Calendar

The National Endowment for the Arts's translation fellowship applications are now available. The official NEA website gives details about eligibility, dates, and application preparation.

You may not be able to fully prepare for an earthquake, but you can prepare yourself for Litquake, which will be rocking the literary world starting next month.

MPT Magazine is hosting several poetry translation workshops in October, all focusing on a different language.

The Neustadt Festival is just under a month away, and we are so excited for Rohinton Mistry's visit. Join us for the Festival events, which are all free and open to the public.

Fun Finds and Inspiration

Ezra Pound offers up some advice for poets that are just starting out in their careers.

Veteran journalist Michael J. Jordan offers advice to beginner journalists in his Mantle essay, "Letter to an Aspiring Correspondent."