Archives: Point Spread

A name for this newsletter; more on Shakespeare; the lost eloquence of the sports page: newsletter, Feb. 23, 2018

February 26, 2018 | By Jim Stovall | 1 Comment | Filed in: newsletter.

Vince’s first novel is titled Paperboy, and it’s the story of a boy growing up in Memphis who has a stutter. Vince himself is a stutterer, and the story rings true on every page. The novel was a Newberry Honor Award winner, and the Washington Post said: “[Vawter’s] characterization of Little Man feels deeply authentic, with . . . his fierce desire to be ‘somebody instead of just a kid who couldn’t talk right.”

‘The Feminine Mystique’ and the change in women’s status in the 1960s

February 21, 2018 | By Jim Stovall | No Comments | Filed in: books, journalists, writers, writing.

The book summed up many of the frustrations that middle-class women had experienced, especially if they had set aside ambitions and careers to become suburban housewives and mothers. From the day it was published, it sparked criticism from many quarters (and continues to do so today), but it struck a chord with many women and became a phenomenal best-seller over the following two years.

A ‘day’ becomes a ‘date’; Poe’s rules for detective fiction; a little bit of Henry Fowler

December 11, 2017 | By Jim Stovall | No Comments | Filed in: journalism, newsletter, Private eye.

This newsletter was sent to everyone on Jim’s email list (4,140) on Friday, Dec. 8, 2017. Hi,  Last week’s question: Were there no Americans before 1776? An answer came in from newsletter reader and good friend Jane P: There were many Americans long before 1776, in the numerous Native American societies and groups across what became the • Read More »

Jean Ritchie and the dulcimer revival — and much more; your pet peeves about English

December 4, 2017 | By Jim Stovall | No Comments | Filed in: newsletter, Women writers and journalists.

This newsletter was sent to those on Jim’s email list (4,189) on Friday, Dec. 1, 2017. Hi, Last week’s entry about America’s first published poet, Anne Bradstreet, brought this from one of our newsletter readers, Robin K., who has done a good bit of genealogical research on her family: I thought that name looked familiar – I’m • Read More »

Another reader on free expression; Anger as temporary madness

November 9, 2017 | By Jim Stovall | No Comments | Filed in: newsletter.

This newsletter was sent to all those on Jim’s newsletter list (3,873) on Friday, Nov. 3, 2017. Hi,  Where did English come from? The origins of English are many and varied. If you don’t know much about it, there’s a great sub-five-minute video from Open Culture embedded at the top of the JPROF.com website. Gardening is a year-round activity: I spent • Read More »

Readers respond with their best reads of the summer; A superb collection of mystery/thrillers for 99 cents

September 18, 2017 | By Jim Stovall | No Comments | Filed in: newsletter.

This newsletter was sent to the subscribers (3,582) to Jim’s email list on Friday, Sept. 15, 2017. Hi,  Don’t forget the victims of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. Many people are suffering now that the storms have passed. My favorite charity is the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR.org). Please make a contribution to yours. I am • Read More »

September sale begins now; Max and Woody are back

August 28, 2017 | By Jim Stovall | No Comments | Filed in: newsletter.

This newsletter was sent to Jim’s email list (3,070) on Friday, Aug. 25, 2017. East Tennessee survived the eclipse. So did the rest of the world. Glad you’re still here. September sale These titles have been marked down for a special sale that will run through at least the second week in September. Here’s a chance for • Read More »

Reviews, they always help; Battlelines: the complete Gettysburg

July 17, 2017 | By Jim Stovall | No Comments | Filed in: Battlelines, Civil War, fiction, newsletter, Point Spread, writing.

Jim Stovall’s email newsletter for July 14, 2017 Hi there, I hope you’ve had a good week and are looking forward to the weekend. Reviews Writers always want people to read their books, and they want their readers to love what they read. But what the writer needs is honesty. That’s why I alway suggest • Read More »