Who are the best writers out there? Which are the best magazines? In a candid exchange on the AAN editorial listserv, alt-weekly editors share views on who the best writers in America are, and who are some of the worst, with a smattering of fiction, foreigners, and dead writers. Grab your pen: Here’s an alt-weekly summer reading list.

Continue ReadingAn Alternative View of What to Read

A Charlotte charter school has obtained a gag order against Creative Loafing Charlotte, prohibiting it from publishing individual student grades and test scores. The rift between Creative Loafing and Crossroads Charter School started after the publication published test scores obtained from former teachers showing that grades may have been overlooked or changed to allow students to graduate. Individual student names were not published. "We're talking about the absolute bedrock core of the First Amendment -- the right of the newspaper to print factually truthful information that the newspaper came to lawfully," said Creative Loafing attorney John Hasty, who filed Friday to overturn the temporary restraining order.

Continue ReadingCreative Loafing Charlotte Has Legal Issues

Batimore City Paper Editor Andy Markowitz and his wife, Barbara Frye, plan to travel and perhaps work in Europe for the next few years. Markowitz has served on the AAN Editorial Committee since 1999 and is the most prolific contributor to the aan.org editorial discussion group. Arts Editor Lee Gardner will move into the editor’s chair upon Markowitz’ departure.

Continue ReadingMarkowitz Leaving Baltimore City Paper