Important living writers of fiction, drama and poetry who write in languages other than English (and have been subsequently translated) are included in the first update since 1984 of this important volume. A 20-member advisory board of academic literary specialists helped to select the 358 entries in Contemporary World Writers, which includes both well-established writers and international newcomers.

Each entry in Contemporary World Writers begins with a who's who-style biography; then contains a complete bibliography, citing any English language translations of the works; a list of critical studies; and a signed, critical essay (800-1,000 words) on the writer's work. Of the writers covered, 102 are Western European, while other world regions are proportionately represented. Look for profiles on:

• Gabriel Garcia Marquez
• Marguerite Duras
• Shusako Endo
• Vaclav Havel
• Irina Ratushinskaia
• Claribel Alegria
• Umberto Eco
• And many others