The Center for Fiction.

The Influence of Journalism in Fiction

by Elliot Ackerman

Fallujah, Aleppo, Gaziantep. These are all cities that we hear about in the news, but we don't think about the stories contained within them. In this essay, former Marine and writer Elliot Ackerman reflects on his life as a journalist, and how his news stories have made their way into his fiction. READ

Ackerman will discuss his new novel, Dark at the Crossing, with National Book Award-winner Phil Klay on January 31st. RSVP here.

The Book Drop: 

The Wild Imagination of Harry Stephen Keeler

by Jon Michaud

January 22nd marked the 50th anniversary of prolific mystery and sci-fi writer Harry Stephen Keeler's death. In this month's Book Drop, our head librarian Jon Michaud talks about Keeler’s work and legacy with writer and editor (and Keeler fan) Ed Park and Richard Polt, professor of philosophy at Xavier University and head of the Harry Stephen Keeler Society. READ

And as a bonus we asked Ed Park and Richard Polt to write about their favorite Keeler books. REAd their list 

In Poe's Shadow 

by Peter Straub

In honor of Edgar Allan Poe's birthday on January 19th we asked master horror writer Peter Straub (and editor of the anthology Poe's Children: The New Horror) to share five authors who he sees as the heirs to Poe's writing. Poe himself used to write at the Center at our location near Beekman and Nassau (we've been helping writers for a looooooong time!) and if you'd like to read a Poe classic head over to our fiction section to read "The Black Cat". 

REAd peter straub's list of writers 

Lines of Resistance: Stronger by Way of Breaking

or How to Handle the Failed Election

by Anna Dunn

In the wake of the election, we felt the need to reach beyond fiction to process the new reality that blindsided so many voters. On November 9th we opened our doors and talked with our community and out of these discussions came the idea for our new series of essays, Lines of Resistance, which gives writers a forum to express their thoughts. We are eager to present all points of views and foster lively discussion and thoughtful responses. This essay is by Anna Dunn, a writer who first came to the Center through our Crime Fiction Academy. We hope you'll find her words as moving as we did. READ

Take a Page from Their Book

We challenged our spring writing instructors to come up with books to help aspiring writers. From Patricia Highsmith to a classic of screenwriting, we're sure you'll find a book to inspire and guide your writing on our list. And if you've never thought about writing something, you may find yourself picking up a pen or opening a word doc after reading our recommendations. READ

Looking for more writing advice? Check out our amazing line-up of workshops. And if you're interested in crime fiction writing head over to our CFA page.  

Announcing Our Spring Events! 

We’re excited to share our full line-up of Spring 2017 events with you. We have CFA Master Classes with Ian Rankin and Caleb Carr; celebrations of the literary lives of Miguel de Cervantes, H. P. Lovecraft and Grace Paley, in addition to scintillating conversations between writers like Elliot Ackerman and Phil Klay, and Viet Thanh Nguyen and Chinelo Okparanta, and many more. We also have special events with Rachel Cusk, Sarah Manguso, and Tom McCarthy. 

We may still be in the grips of winter here in New York, but start off your year the right way by RSVPing to our fantastic events!

Don't Miss Out On Our Spring Reading Groups

Readers, rejoice! Our spring reading groups are here! This season, you can read long (Thackeray’s Vanity Fair) or short (Henry James’s stories). You can experience the wonders of Postmodern Fiction and the menace of Literary Crime Novels. You can virtually visit Italy or step into Knausgaard's "My Struggle" led by five fantastic novelists. You can even channel your teenage-self with our Young Adult Literature course. Or read one of those classics you were supposed to read as a teen! 

There's plenty to pique everyone's interest so check out our full lineup today! 

SEE OUR READING GROUPS