One Week in Reykjavík, by Alizah Holstein

Cultural Cross Sections Alizah Holstein I stepped out of Keflavík airport at 4:30 a.m. Far off in the dimly lit parking lot was the bus to Reykjavík—parked, empty, still off-duty. Winds buffeted me from above, the cold air curling its way up my wrists and down my neck. The landscape around me was shrouded in night. I could see nothing but desolate airport roads unfurling like tendrils out into the void. I made my way to the unlit bus, pulled my jacket tighter around me, and waited. I had come to Reykjavík for a new beginning. This September day marked the official start of my master’s program in creative writing and literary translation—Vermont College of Fine Arts’ new “International MFA”—a program dedicated to literature with a global perspective. And Iceland, a nation with one of the world’s deepest and most abiding literary traditions, would be the site of our first weeklong residency. But really, what on earth I was doing? I already had a PhD in medieval Italian history, a degree that had gifted me many things—Italian, Rome, lifelong friends, a life of the mind—but not, alas, a tenure-track job. After deciding not to accept adjunct positions, I left academia to try entrepreneurship. I had sewn a fleece vest for my infant son that other parents had wanted. Before long, I had a business designing and manufacturing outerwear. As an entrepreneur, I was inspired by all there was to discover. If the past is a foreign country to... Continue reading at 'World Literature Today'

[ World Literature Today | 2019-12-03 17:31:19 UTC ]

Other news stories related to: "One Week in Reykjavík, by Alizah Holstein"


France’s Bookstore Report: A ‘Positive Assessment’ for 2019

Highlighting gains made by the 'human sciences' amid social unrest in France, booksellers also cite a strong showing in comics. The post France’s Bookstore Report: A ‘Positive Assessment’ for 2019 appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2020-01-13 13:30:45 UTC ]
More news stories like this


WI15: Bookshop Hopes to Change Bookish E-commerce

The new online bookstore intended to benefit indies is nearly ready to go, and will launch January 28. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-01-10 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Vroman's Names Cowlishaw CEO

Julia Cowlishaw has been named the new CEO of Vroman's Bookstore in Pasadena, Calif., and Book Soup in West Hollywood, Calif., She begins on January 6. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-12-17 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


George R.R. Martin opens bookstore next to his movie theater in Santa Fe.

Did you know that master fantasist George R.R. Martin opened his own movie theater in Santa Fe, the Jean Cocteau Cinema? Well, now he’s opening a bookstore next door, Beastly Books. As Martin writes, on his blog: We’ve been doing amazing author events at the Jean Cocteau Cinema ever since we... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2019-12-16 16:24:28 UTC ]
More news stories like this


The employees at iconic NYC bookstore McNally Jackson have voted to unionize.

Earlier today, the employees of the New York City-based indie bookshop McNally Jackson voted to join the Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union (RWDSU). RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum says, “We’re proud to welcome the workers of McNally Jackson into our union. Tonight, they showed that... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2019-12-13 20:10:34 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Snakes, Bots, and Socks, Oh My!: A Bookstore Lost & Found (shelftalker)

TweetSomeone came up to one of our children’s specialists the other day and asked if anyone had ever retrieved the $200 Harry Potter boxed set that had been accidentally knocked into the hollow column next to the Harry Potter section during our storewide inventory in July. Since no one had... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-12-13 13:00:27 UTC ]
More news stories like this


CLMP, Submittable Ink Member Pricing Deal

The Community of Literary Magazines and Presses and Submittable, the cloud-based submission management platform, have agreed on a unique pricing plan that provides a significant discount for the use of Submittable by CLMP members. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-12-09 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


One Week in Reykjavík, by Alizah Holstein

Cultural Cross Sections Alizah Holstein I stepped out of Keflavík airport at 4:30 a.m. Far off in the dimly lit parking lot was the bus to Reykjavík—parked, empty, still off-duty. Winds buffeted me from above, the cold air curling its way up my wrists and... Continue reading at World Literature Today

[ World Literature Today | 2019-12-03 17:31:19 UTC ]
More news stories like this


20 Literary Holiday Cards to Send This Season

Send your friends, family, and favorite bookstore and library workers warm holiday greetings with these 20 literary holiday cards! Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2019-11-29 11:34:57 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Booksellers Offer Promos for Holiday Shopping Kickoff

Store owners from BXsellers, PW's bookstore Facebook group, are prepping special promotions for Black Friday and Small Business Saturday, focusing on loyalty discounts and gift card bonuses. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-11-26 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


San Diego's Mysterious Galaxy Seeks New Owner and New Location

San Diego's Mysterious Galaxy bookstore must find a new owner and a new location before its lease expires in less than 60 days. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-11-26 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


You Should Be Getting Your Biographies in Children’s Picture Book Form

November is Picture Book Month, so these illustrated little gems are deservedly in the spotlight. In a recent blog post for Books Are Magic, novelist and bookstore owner Emma Straub curated a list of picture books. Among Straub’s picks for the best picture books of 2019 is a wonderful biography... Continue reading at Electric Literature

[ Electric Literature | 2019-11-25 12:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


In the Jersey Suburbs, a Bookstore Whose Vibe Is Pure Narnia

Montclair Book Center is 9,000 square feet of nooks, alcoves, labyrinths and warrens. “It’s like a time machine,” one customer says. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2019-11-23 10:00:19 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Ian Williams wins Canada’s prestigious Giller Prize for his debut novel.

Ian Williams, winner of this year’s $100,000 Scotiabank Giller Prize for his debut novel Reproduction, began his acceptance speech Monday night with an emotional tribute. “Margaret Atwood over there is the first book I bought with my own money at a bookstore in Brampton,” he told the audience.... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2019-11-19 20:30:03 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Love Your Bookstore: Greenlight Bookstore

For this year's Love Your Bookstore Challenge, the staff at Brooklyn's Greenlight Bookstore share their colorful and varied must-read titles. The post Love Your Bookstore: Greenlight Bookstore appeared first on The Millions. Continue reading at The Millions

[ The Millions | 2019-11-13 11:00:58 UTC ]
More news stories like this


2018 VIDA Count Finds Mild Improvement in Lit Mag Gender Parity

According to the annual VIDA Count, which analyzes gender parity at literary magazines, industry-wide improvement continues, even as the literary landscape continues to skew male in terms of publications. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-11-13 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Comedians Troll Donald Trump Jr. With Bookstore Cover Swap Stunt

Comedy group The Good Liars changed covers on the presidential son's book to "make it a little more honest." Continue reading at HuffPost

[ HuffPost | 2019-11-09 12:52:40 UTC ]
More news stories like this


A Toronto Bookstore Amplifies Marginalized Voices

Another Story Bookshop is focused on social justice and diversity, continuing the mission its founder established over 30 years ago. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2019-11-09 10:00:11 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Lin-Manuel Miranda has a surprisingly personal reason for opening a bookstore in the age of Amazon

He may have created the biggest hit on Broadway, but the ‘Hamilton’ auteur still thinks small in a lot of ways, especially when it comes to business. Along with being the creator of a little show called Hamilton, Lin-Manuel Miranda is also known for his enthusiastic social media... Continue reading at Fast Company

[ Fast Company | 2019-11-08 17:15:09 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Love Your Bookstore: Books Are Magic

Just a few days from the 2019 Love Your Bookstore Challenge, Brooklyn's Books Are Magic crew weigh in with staff picks and must-read titles. The post Love Your Bookstore: Books Are Magic appeared first on The Millions. Continue reading at The Millions

[ The Millions | 2019-11-06 11:00:45 UTC ]
More news stories like this