Critical Mass, Three Years and Counting

by Jane Ciabattari | Apr-30-2009

Critical Mass launched three years ago this month (April 2006 archived on old blog here). Initial Critical Mass blogmistress Rebecca Skloot’s opening salvo on April 21, 2006 noted that each post reflects the author’s personal views—not the views of the National Book Critics Circle. Still the case.

Among the early posts: John Freeman on awards and rankings, plus roundups; David Orr, Laura Miller, Kevin Prufer on aspects of plagiarism, yours truly on what JT Leroy might have learned from San Francisco-based artist Lynn Hershman (Hershman is a 2009 Guggenheim fellow), Ellen Heltzel on the Pulitzer in criticism going to a fashion writer, and Art Winslow’s on Tony D’Souza’s first novel “Whiteman.” Plus news of the Los Angeles Times book awards, the Overseas Press Club book awards,the PEN World Voices Festival.

Critical Mass has changed location, and we have a new blogging committee (Eric Banks, chair; Jane Ciabattari, Rigoberto Gonzalez,Scott McLemee,John Reed,Craig Teicher, David Ulin, and Art Winslow). The basics remain. Critical Mass includes commentary on literary criticism, publishing, writing, and all things NBCC related. As always, we welcome your comments.