Bookmark Now
by Kevin SmoklerA few big names in fiction, a handful of below-the-radar faves, and a lot of writers to watch discuss why books? why now? in this collective credo about the future of literature
An collection of original essays from our most intriguing young writers, Bookmark Now boldly addresses the significance of the production of literature in the twenty-first century. Or simply, How do we talk about writing and reading in an age where they both seem almost quaint?
The book features authors in their twenties and thirties-those raised when TV, video games, and then the Internet supplanted books as dominant cultural mediums-and their intent is to examine:
(1) how this generation came to writing as a calling,
(2) what they see as literature's relevance when media consumption and competition have reached unprecedented levels, and
(3) how writing and reading fit in with the rest of our rapid, multitasking world. The result will offer a voyeuristic peek into the private, creative lives of today's writers and shed light on what their work means at a time when the book business is changing, yet-almost paradoxically-a time when storytelling as a means of both self-realization and community building (be it via e-mail, weblogs, or This American Life) seems more relevant than ever before.
