In which I suggest things you read online:

Useful:
Brevity's "Craft Essays"
in which we read short essays on the craft of nonfiction writing

Enlightening:
Papercuts Blog "Living with Music" Series
in which authors discuss their current playlists, often made of eclectic choices

Moving:
Pacing the Panic Room Blog
in which a dad-to-be (now a new dad) writes "candidly and vividly about the building of (his) family"

Screamin' seafaring tale wins bad writing contest

Thanks to the Washington Post and the AP, which keep me up to date on each year's Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest.

This year's winner:
Folks say that if you listen real close at the height of the full moon, when the wind is blowin' off Nantucket Sound from the nor' east and the dogs are howlin' for no earthly reason, you can hear the awful screams of the crew of the "Ellie May," a sturdy whaler Captained by John McTavish; for it was on just such a night when the rum was flowin' and, Davey Jones be damned, big John brought his men on deck for the first of several screaming contests.

Printers Row Lit Fest this weekend!

From the Trib:

 

Join the Chicago Tribune for the Midwest's largest literary event! This outdoor festival offers the opportunity to hear authors speak and debate their works. It also features unique booksellers, poetry readings, exhibitors, kids activities, cooking demos, wine tastings, and much more. Hours are from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on June 6-7.

My top picks (I wish that I could get to these, but I'm not sure if it'll happen): Neil Gaiman and Elmore Leonard. Columnist Leonard Pitts is in a panel discussion, which could be good. And Amy Dickinson (of the Ask Amy column) will be chatting about her book. And music critic Greg Kot is on the schedule too. Oh, also: Harvey Pekar and Paul Buhle will be talking about graphic novels. 

Schedule, map and more here.