Publishing Figures

"...life isn't easy for Indian authors in English. Thanks to the flourishing English media, six-figure (rupee; ie more than $2,500) monthly salaries are on tap in TV journalism, and five-figure salaries in the print media. But the average English-language book deal could be worth $1,500, and is usually less for non-fiction books. "

The Asia Times investigates the world of Indian writing and publishing.

Malamud, Teacher

"In this closely written biography, Philip Davis emphasises those human concerns central in Malamud, whose name means teacher: his 'was the ability to create – in place of abstract thought – that anterior mass of dense and confused human feeling, which thoughts themselves came out of'."

- Christopher Hawtree reviews a new Malamud biography. The above, by the way, is practically the only part of the review that mentions the book; the rest is a potted life of the writer.)

Naipaul's Views

"He spoke at incredible length, in the most lugubrious terms, about the English intellectual life - of course it is dead (fool). Everything is repetitive. There is nothing new in the world and any attempt to experiment is in itself a sign of failure. And intellectual energy never dwelled in literature in the first place, but more in travel books."

- Zoe Williams takes exception to Naipaul's comments on the Today show.

James Wood's New Yorker Debut...

...is a review of Robert Alter’s new translation of The Book of Psalms. No doubt many will find it riveting.

And Here One Is Struggling To Do Just One Thing Well

The American writer and film-maker Miranda July can add the world's richest short story prize to her collection of film festival accolades after winning the 2007 Frank O'Connor award this weekend.

Seth On Ice

“People need to know about what is being lost, and I think it is an inspired idea to get sculptors or writers or photographers or other artists to come on what is largely a scientific expedition," says Vikram Seth, currently on board a schooner on its way to Greenland as part of the Cape Farewell Voyage of the High Arctic. He's accompanied by a host of artists from Britain, Canada, Australia, the US and Japan, and you can follow the progress of the expedition here.

The RothFest Begins

"I like to introduce something new about two thirds of the way through a book. Not just tying the threads together, but something brand new. It's a challenge. You just go out there and do it."

- From a brief interview and long profile by Newsweek's David Gates.

Update: And, for those of you who need one, here's a Roth primer from The Times by Stephen Amidon.

Solved, The Mystery Of P.C.Goon

Remember the bumbling policeman in Enid Blyton's stories of Fatty, Larry, Daisy, Pip and Bets, not forgetting Buster the dog? Turns out Ms Blyton was giving vent to "a strain of cleverly disguised domestic spite", says assiduous biographer Duncan McClaren.