Around the Web: Language, Barbershop Books, Fiction and Lies, Movies, and a Poetry Quiz

Hello all! Happy Friday! Now, I know it’s a big shopping weekend, so a lot of you will be out and about. But if ever you need a break from the business of stores and malls, I’ve got you covered.

This week, I found some fascinating longer reads that I hope you’ll enjoy as much as I did. If you want something short and fun, don’t worry, I’ve got that too. Read on!

Inclusive Language

Among editing circles, inclusive language has been a growing topic of discussion. But it’s something everyone should know about. So what is it? And why is it important? Take a look at editor Sarah Grey’s post on inclusive language and inclusive editing for some insight.

Alvin Irby and Barbershop Books

Lit Hub has a great story about one man’s drive to get people reading. The man is Alan Irby, and his reading incentive program Barbershop Books connects young black boys to books in male-centered reading spaces.

Writing Fiction and Telling Lies

Author Alicia Elliot connects writing fiction, telling lies, reality television, and the age of fake news in this incredible essay in The Puritan. Elliot discusses how lies, scandal, and drama drive media consumption, and how this has informed where we are politically today. Basically, I think everyone should read this essay.

Rick Riordan on Movie Adaptations

Percy Jackson and the Olympians author Rick Riordan recently shared his his movie experiences. Film adaptations can be lucrative for authors, but they often come with a loss of creative control over their stories. Riordan’s experience shows just this and it’s worth looking at if you’ve ever wondered how authors can react to adaptations of their works.

Poetry Quiz

I said I’d include something short and fun, so here’s a poetry quiz from BuzzFeed. Try your hand and see if you can identify each poem with just a first line.

That's it for today, folks. See you next week!