The Contrary Blog–the blog of unpopular discontent–is up and running. Click over and take a look at this new voice on the internet, the brainchild of Jeff McMahon, Contrary‘s Editor. It’s a multi-author blog, anchored by David Alm. Its focus is broad–on arts and letters–rather than only on the the journal itself. And its aim is to engage with the wide scope of ideas. We welcome comments and of course disagreement.
Here are the three most recently posted articles: Why know-it-alls make bad authors, Let’s talk about Shop Class (a review of Matthew Crawford’s book Shop Class as Soulcraft: an Inquiry Into the Value of Work), and Piko in Page–ancient Swahili lady lessons on pleasure and pain. A misplaced medias, a report on AWP that blends fiction and nonfiction, is one of my favorite posts. In Bad writing, defined, David Alm quotes the poet D.A. Powell, who then comments on the post. If you find an author whose writing you like, you can follow the RSS feed of that particular author.
While you peruse the site, click on the video in the upper right corner to listen to the poet Gwendolyn Brooks read five poems.
Instead of leaving a comment here, leave one over there. Go ahead. Be contrary.
Wow, I took two poetry classes with DA Powell as an undergrad. He was truly an outstanding teacher (I wish VCFA would hire him, in fact!) Glad to see his wit hasn’t dulled AT ALL 🙂
Very cool, Sarah. I recently discovered he was born in Georgia–about an hour and a half from where I live now. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment.