Britney Spears book: The Woman in Me and age-old misogyny – review
Britney Spears’ highly anticipated book, titled “The Woman in Me,” lays bare a nightmarish tale of relentless public gaslighting, an abusive family dynamic, and the societal role in perpetuating the exploitation of female child stars. While some of these details were known over the years, the book delves deep into the extent of control exerted […]
Viet Thanh Nguyen among writers cancelled over Israel war
As the international cultural scene witnesses a spate of writers cancelled surrounding both topics on Israel and Palestine, PEN America has stepped forward to address the matter. Read: Frankfurt Book Fair: open letter supports cancelled Palestinian author Adania Shibli The literary and cultural advocacy group has strongly urged communities to uphold the free exchange of […]
Generative AI: European publishing bodies call for transparency
In a joint effort to safeguard democracy and protect the integrity of the book chain, leading literary and publishing organisations in Europe are urging the European Union to take immediate action to ensure the transparency of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI). The European Writers’ Council (EWC), the Federation of European Publishers (FEP), and the European and […]
Killers of the Flower Moon: book outshines Scorsese film – review
I must confess that I have conflicting emotions regarding Martin Scorsese’s adaptation of “Killers of the Flower Moon.” Despite its critical acclaim for capturing David Grann’s masterful book from 2017, watching the film through the lens of Hollywood’s white perspective is unsettling. Regrettably, it fails to escape its own biases, humanising genocidal murderers while diminishing […]
Margate Bookie 2023: Adam Kay, happiness, and silent storytelling
The seaside town of Margate played host to the much-anticipated return of the 2023 Margate Bookie, a literary festival that bills itself as the first literary festival held in a former funfair. This four-day event featured a diverse lineup of talks and workshops with some of the most prominent figures in literature and philosophy, including […]
Is literature important during times of conflict? Some say it’s life-changing
The significance of literature during periods of conflict has been a topic of contemplation for generations. In a world fraught with violence, wars, and social upheaval, can books, poems, and stories truly make a difference? This question has elicited varied responses, and in the words of Mary Kaldor of the London School of Economics, we […]
Holocaust memoirs among 450 books removed from Iowa schools
In a recent survey conducted by The Des Moines Register, shocking revelations have emerged about the removal of books from school libraries across Iowa, including important memoirs related to the Holocaust. At the start of the school year, at least 450 books, spanning a wide range of genres, were pulled from the shelves, igniting a […]
Black to the Future festival: a journey into Afrofuturism
In the world of literature, cinema, and art, Afrofuturism has emerged as a powerful and visionary movement, offering a glimpse into a future seen through a Black lens. “Black to the Future” (BttF) is a groundbreaking festival of outstanding Black artists, a creative space where visionary imaginings can thrive. This event, curated, founded, and directed […]
AI’s unauthorised use of authors’ work sparks call for licences
In the ever-evolving landscape of technology and creativity, the question of authorship and fair compensation has become increasingly complex. The Authors Guild, a prominent organisation representing writers, has been at the forefront of a battle for authors’ rights. In collaboration with congressional leaders, they have been working to devise measures aimed at safeguarding the rights […]
Wales Millennium Centre faces backlash over AI comic course
The Wales Millennium Centre, a renowned arts venue in Cardiff, UK, recently found itself in the middle of a social media storm after announcing a new course aimed at helping aspiring creators craft their first comic or graphic novel using artificial intelligence (AI). The initiative sparked a fierce backlash, with critics arguing that the national […]