It was a rare occasion in Los Angeles: a party for successful, world-famous writers without any screen credits. In fact, no screenwriters were invited. And it was an atypical location: a small, no-name restaurant on the edge of Hollywood, devoid of producers, directors, or paparazzi. Yet these authors – a group of serious writers considered by many to be a vanishing breed – seemed to be truly enjoying their opportunity to be with their peers.

"Infinite Jest" writer David Foster Wallace died of hanging himself, his wife reported suicide to police.

Nobel prize winning Russian novelist Alexander Solzhenitsyn, who was forced into exile for books strongly critical of the Soviet government, has died at 89. His son said Sunday Solzhenitsyn died of heart failure while Russian news reports said he suffered a stroke.

This year "Golden Apricot" film festival dedicates one of its anniversary programs to Armenian American writer William Saroyan’s 100 anniversary. Golden Apricot international movie festival will take place in Yerevan, Armenia July 13-20.

An appearance at a NASA space celebration by lively literary and movie artist Vanna Bonta made fashion waves as she talked thermal fabrics and convertible footwear, urging fashion to look spaceward, not down its proverbial nose.

Jack Canfield is a motivational speaker and writer who has spent three decades getting people to think positively. His books of compiled stories, known as Chicken Soup for the Soul, inspire people and help them reach their goals. The series of self-help books have been phenomenally successful, with over 100 million copies in print, in nearly four dozen languages.

Alan Trotter has been named winner of the new Sceptre Prize for emerging writers.

The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award 2008 goes to Australian author Sonya Hartnett.

Moody, hard-drinking maverick Detective Inspector Rebus came about almost by accident.

Swedish writer Åke Edwardson has been nominated for one of the United States most prestigious book prizes.

The Prime Minister has re-appointed the Marchioness of Normanby as a Trustee of the National Gallery for a period of four years from 2 February 2008.

Hollywood actors will boycott this month's Golden Globe Awards in a show of support for striking writers, the actors union has said dealing a blow to the glittering red carpet extravaganza of Golden Globe Awards and celebrity gathering.