A recap with Q&As from Colm Tóibín, Ayad Akhtar, and Lisa Lucas
by ERICA NUNN-KINIAS
Flair was a groundbreaking magazine created by Fleur Cowles in 1950, known for its provocative design, insightful articles, and creative approach to blending literature, art, and culture. In honor of Cowles’s legacy, the Ransom Center’s Flair Symposium is held biennially, exploring important themes at the intersection of literature and the arts. The 2024 symposium, which took place November 7–9, focused on the theme “Literature and Change,” examining how literature adapts to and influences a rapidly shifting cultural and technological landscape.
Featuring a variety of speakers, the symposium welcomed keynote addresses from two acclaimed authors: Colm Tóibín and Ayad Akhtar. Tóibín, renowned for his novels Brooklyn and The Master, has long been celebrated for his explorations of identity, history, and emotional depth. Akhtar, a Pulitzer Prize–winning author of American Dervish and Homeland Elegies, is known for his compelling narratives that tackle themes of culture, identity, and the complexities of the modern world. Both authors offered unique perspectives on the enduring relevance of literature in a time of rapid change.
Lisa Lucas, a seasoned publishing executive, delivered the third keynote address during the symposium’s day programming. Addressing the state of publishing, she also offered insights on how we, as consumers, should evaluate literature while also supporting smaller publishing houses.
Each speaker shared their thoughts on a range of topics, from writing historical fiction and technology’s impact on literature, to the changing publishing landscape.
Colm Tóibín
On revisiting familiar characters: “After finishing Brooklyn, I thought it was complete, but years later, an idea for Eilish’s story came to me. It wasn’t about revisiting her life but exploring a new crisis. It became a new book, though I still question whether revisiting characters is ever truly ‘necessary.’”
On writing historical figures: “Writing about historical figures like Henry James or Thomas Mann comes with a sense of responsibility. While the basic facts—like their lives, families, or works—must be accurate, fiction allows for creative exploration beyond the framework of those facts. It’s a delicate balance between immersion in reality and the freedom to invent.”
On literature and change: “In times of upheaval, like post-2024 election America, I saw how culture became a refuge. People sought intellectual stimulation, not political discussions. Literature offers a space for imagination, even when political realities feel overwhelming. It’s a time for writers to imagine freely, without adhering to any political agenda.”
On the traits of compelling characters: “I’m drawn to ambiguity in characters—the kind of person who’s hard to pin down. Characters who aren’t entirely good or evil, but complex, unpredictable. It’s the unpredictability that makes them fascinating.”
On the personal connection to historical characters: “Writing about historical figures allows me to engage with their lives through letters, diaries, and biographies. In a way, it becomes a personal connection with these figures, as I uncover new aspects of their personality and struggles, even if I’m creating a fictional narrative around them.”
On the impact of external events on creativity: “The political landscape does influence creativity, but I believe that artists shouldn’t be confined to political movements. For example, after the 2024 election, literature became a place where people wanted to retreat, engage with intellectual ideas, and experience something beyond the political turmoil. It’s fascinating to see how art fills that gap.”
On the role of literature in understanding human experience: “Literature offers a unique opportunity to explore the inner lives of people in ways that nonfiction can’t always achieve. It allows for empathy and a deeper connection to others’ experiences, offering insight into different walks of life, both historical and contemporary.”
Ayad Akhtar
On freedom of speech and its challenges: “Being the president of PEN America from 2020 to 2023 helped me understand the shifting landscape of free speech. It’s become increasingly difficult to discuss freedom of expression as many are focused more on the harms of speech than its fundamental right. I’ve learned that to truly safeguard freedom of thought, we must engage in meaningful discussions, not just political squabbles.”
On writing across different genres: “Each genre offers its own set of challenges and opportunities. When I write a play, I work within the confines of dialogue, while in a screenplay, I can move between different spaces, but both require their own discipline. The novel, on the other hand, is a completely different beast. It gives me more room to explore ideas and characters in depth, though it can feel like a much slower process.”
On navigating different writing forms: “I’ve written across plays, screenplays, and novels, and each medium demands its own approach. Plays are bound by dialogue and physical space, while novels allow for more creative freedom. However, each form gives me a different way to explore a story. A play is more constricting, but a novel is more expansive, which can both challenge and liberate me as a writer.”
On the changing publishing landscape: “The publishing world has certainly changed, especially with the rise of digital platforms. It’s harder for new voices to break through, and the marketplace is dominated by established names. But rather than being discouraged, I see it as a challenge to figure out how to navigate this new system and still produce work that resonates.”
On artificial intelligence and creativity: “AI is part of a broader digital system that’s simplifying processes but, in my view, ultimately making us less intelligent. Writers might use AI to enhance their work, but I worry about the impact it has on our creative capabilities. While some see it as a tool, I see it as contributing to a larger trend of diminishing critical thinking.”
On the influence of Shakespeare: “Shakespeare has been an immense influence on my work. His command of language, his exploration of human complexity, and his unparalleled sense of drama shape how I approach storytelling. Even as I write in different genres, I often return to Shakespeare’s work to remind myself of the possibilities of language and the depth of character.”
On technology’s impact on literature: “Technology is transforming both us and literature. The way we consume information and art has changed dramatically in recent years, affecting how literature fits into our lives. This shift raises questions about the future of reading and storytelling as digital distractions and the rise of AI play bigger roles in how we interact with culture.”
On the intersection of technology and writing: “Technology is reshaping the way we interact with literature. As writers, we must adapt to new platforms and new ways of storytelling. At the same time, there’s something deeply human about the act of writing itself. It’s about capturing truths that speak to our shared experience. I’m both fascinated and concerned by how tech is changing that relationship.”
On the future of storytelling: “The landscape of storytelling is evolving rapidly. What used to be a purely literary pursuit is now intertwined with technology, digital media, and an ever-changing cultural landscape. Writers must learn to adapt, but the essential role of storytelling—to reflect and shape human experience—will always remain.”
Lisa Lucas
On where publishing is heading: “I don’t know where it is going, exactly, but I know it isn’t going anywhere anytime soon! Ultimately, the business of books will need to develop an appetite for innovation and capturing new readers. If we do that, the future is assured.
On how to consume literature: “Broadly and with wild abandon! We are willing to try some dumb show on a streamer just because it might be good, and we should have the same open-hearted spirit when it comes to reading.”
Some of her favorite small publishers: “There are so many incredible small publishers—Graywolf Press, Dalkey Archives, New Directions, Two Dollar Radio, Haymarket Books, to name a few. All of them terrific!”