Contemporary literature, categorized as literature written after 1945 or 1950, is taught as part of the curriculum in many colleges and high schools. Contemporary authors include beat writers like Jack Kerouac and novelists like Kurt Vonnegut ("Slaughterhouse Five") and James Dickey ("Deliverance").
Instructions
1. Start an informal book discussion group. Browse the net for Yahoo groups dedicated to contemporary literature. Many writers' sites also offer articles about contemporary books and authors. Social networking sites like Craigslist.org and MySpace offer opportunities for online and in-person book discussion groups as well.
2. Study contemporary literature as part of a degree program. Whether you're studying for a MFA or a bachelor's degree in English, contemporary literature courses will enter the curriculum. Concentrate on writing papers about your favorite books or authors, or study their style and assimilate it into your own writing.
3. Obtain a master's degree in literature. Engage in extensive study of structure, plot, characterization and themes of great works including the presentation of sexuality, politics and gender in books like J.G. Ballard's "Crash" and Thomas Pychon's "Gravity's Rainbow."
4. Read and analyze great contemporary authors. Study books like "Play It as It Lays" by Joan Didion, "On the Road" by Jack Kerouac and "Pinball" by Jerzy Kosinkski. Ask your local librarian or literature professor to recommend a list of American, British and European novels from the end of World War II to the present.
5. Add books of interest each year. Don Delillo's books, including "Libra" and "Underworld," have been hailed as fine contemporary literature as well as Martin Amis's "Heavy Water" and Haruki Murakami's "Dance, Dance, Dance." J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter books may compose the most popular literary series of all time.
