The final event of the International Literary Forum was devoted to the role and function of blogs in creating a new environment for literary criticism
The Internet abounds in platforms where people can share their thoughts, opinions, and ideas, and literature holds a special place in it. Journalist Egor Appolonov, who has a Telegram channel titled “Hemingway Will Call”, discussed a wide range of issues, from online self-presentation to finding new ways of exploring literature.
Stanislav Gridasov spoke out against “a condescending attitude” towards bloggers: “A professional historian, for example, who keeps a blog about history, is a blogger by default. It does not say anything about his level of skill or ability, it’s just a platform, a place of work.”
According to critic Lala Hasanova (Azerbaijan), authors today have no choice but to be part-time bloggers to reach out to their audience and engage young readers in a meaningful dialogue: “The problem is that literature websites are overloaded with information. It takes strong advertising and truly original blog content to attract a wide audience.”
Dina Ozerova said bloggers are the “new critics” and “agents of culture.” “I see my mission as guiding readers in their search for new books. Bloggers are indeed navigators who in many ways shape the contemporary book culture,” she said.
Brazilian poet and translator Astier Basílio da Silva Lima spoke about his attempts to attract first readers by keeping a literary blog. He believes that “literature is a lonely business,” and writers are too vulnerable to take criticism on social media without being hurt.
Closing the discussion, Valery Shabashov gave some advice to those who want to become a book blogger: “Write about what you’re really interested in. Don’t think about money. Writing is about meanings, feelings, or even love. Go to literary events, get to know each other, and create something new together.”
Stanislav Gridasov spoke out against “a condescending attitude” towards bloggers: “A professional historian, for example, who keeps a blog about history, is a blogger by default. It does not say anything about his level of skill or ability, it’s just a platform, a place of work.”
According to critic Lala Hasanova (Azerbaijan), authors today have no choice but to be part-time bloggers to reach out to their audience and engage young readers in a meaningful dialogue: “The problem is that literature websites are overloaded with information. It takes strong advertising and truly original blog content to attract a wide audience.”
Dina Ozerova said bloggers are the “new critics” and “agents of culture.” “I see my mission as guiding readers in their search for new books. Bloggers are indeed navigators who in many ways shape the contemporary book culture,” she said.
Brazilian poet and translator Astier Basílio da Silva Lima spoke about his attempts to attract first readers by keeping a literary blog. He believes that “literature is a lonely business,” and writers are too vulnerable to take criticism on social media without being hurt.
Closing the discussion, Valery Shabashov gave some advice to those who want to become a book blogger: “Write about what you’re really interested in. Don’t think about money. Writing is about meanings, feelings, or even love. Go to literary events, get to know each other, and create something new together.”