Part 1: Vulture, New York magazine’s Arts and Entertainment blog, has this cool section called the “Weekend Read.” They post an article in pdf format for you to print out, take home, and read at your leisure.
Part 2: So a friend of a friend has this intriguing experience with a landlord. The first friend encourages his friend (the friend of the friend) to write about the experience. After several years, the friend of the friend finally writes the story. It turns out that the friend of the friend writes really well. In the fall of 2006, his story gets published in the Georgia Review.
Part 3: The National Magazine Awards come around every spring. This year, up against big name essayists like Calvin Trillin and Paul Theroux rises an underdog writer named Michael Donahue. Donahue’s first published article appeared in the Fall/Winter 2006 issue of the Georgia Review. It’s entitled “Russell and Mary.”
Part 4: On May 1st, “Russell and Mary” wins the Essay category of the 2007 National Magazine Awards.
This category recognizes excellence in essay writing on topics ranging from the personal to the political. Whatever the subject, it honors the author’s eloquence, perspective, fresh thinking and unique voice.