{"product_id":"lifespan-of-a-fact-9780393340730","title":"Lifespan of a Fact","description":"\u003ch2\u003eThe Lifespan of a Fact: A Literary Debate on Truth and Accuracy\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Lifespan of a Fact\u003c\/strong\u003e presents a unique exploration of the boundaries between truth and accuracy in literary nonfiction. This book documents the seven-year editorial struggle between essayist John D'Agata and fact-checker Jim Fingal over a single essay, offering readers an unprecedented look at the creative and ethical tensions in nonfiction writing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat's Inside This Book\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe book includes an early draft of D'Agata's experimental essay, originally commissioned by \u003cem\u003eHarper's\u003c\/em\u003e magazine in 2003 following the publication of his book \u003cem\u003eHalls of Fame\u003c\/em\u003e. After \u003cem\u003eHarper's\u003c\/em\u003e rejected the essay due to fact-checking disagreements, \u003cem\u003eThe Believer\u003c\/em\u003e magazine accepted it but assigned their own fact-checker, Jim Fingal, to review the piece. What followed was an extensive, years-long negotiation about the nature of literary nonfiction itself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThroughout the text, readers witness D'Agata and Fingal's detailed discussions, arguments, and revisions as they grapple with fundamental questions about nonfiction writing. The essay at the center of this debate eventually became the foundation for D'Agata's critically acclaimed book \u003cem\u003eAbout a Mountain\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComplete early draft of D'Agata's controversial essay\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExtensive marginal notes and discussions between author and fact-checker\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSeven years of editorial correspondence and revisions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExamination of the relationship between factual accuracy and literary truth\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReal-world case study of editorial process in literary journalism\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFor Writers, Editors, and Readers of Creative Nonfiction\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis book serves as both a craft resource and philosophical inquiry. Writers of creative nonfiction will find practical insights into the fact-checking process and editorial negotiations. Students of journalism and literary nonfiction can examine the ethical considerations when crafting narratives from real events. The text raises essential questions: How negotiable is a fact? When is it appropriate for a writer to prioritize narrative truth over strict accuracy?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eAbout the Authors\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJohn D'Agata\u003c\/strong\u003e is the author of \u003cem\u003eAbout a Mountain\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eHalls of Fame\u003c\/em\u003e, and editor of \u003cem\u003eThe Next American Essay\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eThe Lost Origins of the Essay\u003c\/em\u003e. He teaches creative writing at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, where he lives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJim Fingal\u003c\/strong\u003e is now a software engineer and writer in Cambridge, Massachusetts.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"W. W. Norton \u0026 Company","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50680582340882,"sku":"9780393340730","price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_d36b134a-904e-46a4-a2d5-3e626a93289d.jpg?v=1734922944","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/lifespan-of-a-fact-9780393340730","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}