Wednesday, May 02, 2007
In Need of Remedy
If for no other reason, Riverbend's nomination for the prestigious Samuel Johnson non-fiction award (for her published weblog compilation Baghdad Burning) ought to have signalled a sea change in the world of communication if not literature. Indeed, four years later, nearly every journalist, writer, and media outlet has a blog to supplement or promote their printed and online products.
More importantly, perhaps--published or not, recognized or not--the medium of blogging has brought more poets, essayists, and even novelists to the public, I'd venture to say, than all the publishing houses have heretofore. Yet, to date, these volunteer columnists, artists, and reporters have no fraternal order along the lines of PEN or the National Press Club to promote their interests or well-being. Understandable, of course, but something in need of remedy.
Considering the role weblogging has played in keeping mainstream media and governments more accountable, perhaps PEN should consider adding a new category for non-literary members of merit--fitting somewhere in between their renowned authors and unpublished supporters. I mean, in all honesty, are our essays, papers, short stories, and commentary that reach millions of new readers every day intrinsically less worthy because we are unable or uninterested in getting past the gatekeepers at Random House? Or, as I will assert, are we an equally vital (albeit humble) assemblage of soul mates to authors such as Nadine Gordimer, tirelessly furthering humanity to the best of our ability?
More importantly, perhaps--published or not, recognized or not--the medium of blogging has brought more poets, essayists, and even novelists to the public, I'd venture to say, than all the publishing houses have heretofore. Yet, to date, these volunteer columnists, artists, and reporters have no fraternal order along the lines of PEN or the National Press Club to promote their interests or well-being. Understandable, of course, but something in need of remedy.
Considering the role weblogging has played in keeping mainstream media and governments more accountable, perhaps PEN should consider adding a new category for non-literary members of merit--fitting somewhere in between their renowned authors and unpublished supporters. I mean, in all honesty, are our essays, papers, short stories, and commentary that reach millions of new readers every day intrinsically less worthy because we are unable or uninterested in getting past the gatekeepers at Random House? Or, as I will assert, are we an equally vital (albeit humble) assemblage of soul mates to authors such as Nadine Gordimer, tirelessly furthering humanity to the best of our ability?
