2026--Articles and features on writers and the writing life

The London Review of Books' podcast on Cervantes:

https://www.lrb.co.uk/podcasts-and-videos/podcasts/close-readings/the-man-behind...

Hosted by Tom McCarthy and Thomas Jones.

>1 CliffBurns: Huh! Coincidentally, I'm reading McCarthy's The Making of Incarnation right now. Wonder what Quixote would sound like in his hands...

I knew John Shirley had a very strange past history...but the way he tells it, it was a miracle he survived.

https://boingboing.net/2026/02/25/john-shirleys-guide-to-wrecking-your-career-in...

(Warning: this piece is pretty heavy in places.)

>2 KatrinkaV: Ha! Great question. McCarthy's a smart, smart guy.

>3 CliffBurns: Been a fan of his work for a long time, although some if it is hackwork. But when he's good, he's is actually quite good.

Self-publishers and deluded wannabe writers beware: scammers employing A.I. technology have you in their sights and are all too aware of just how desperate and pathetic you are:

https://www.theguardian.com/books/ng-interactive/2026/mar/12/ai-book-scams-publi...

Wallace Shawn and cast talk about his new play:

https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2026/05/15/in-mutual-analysis-with-wallace-s...

James Ellroy is as batshit crazy as ever:

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/jun/03/james-ellroy-red-sheet