THE FUTURE OF LITERARY JOURNALISM: John S. Bak

Abstract

Outlining one of the most expressive contemporary scholars of Literary Journalism Studies is the perfect match between responsibility and professional challenge. John Steven Bak is a complex man, as every human being, but has an intriguing and unique personality. An American settled in France for the last 20 years, the professor of Literature at the University of Lorraine (FR) is a researcher at the Center for Interdisciplinary Research in English Studies (IDEA), has a postdoctoral degree from the University of Sorborne (FR), holds a PhD and a master degree from Ball State University (USA) and is graduated in American, British, Rhetoric and Written Literature from the University of Illinois (USA). A scholar of American literature, drama, and theater, his main focus is research on the life and works of Tennessee Williams. Thirteen years ago he returned to his passion for Literary Journalism by founding the International Association of Studies in Literary Journalism (IALJS), where he has been developing many projects. But Bak is also a friend and father. And the latter may be the proudest titles he holds. The three authors of this text spared no efforts to translate all his talents into this text. An literary journalism adventure marked by encounters, researches and chats, but despite not fully accomplished detect who he is – if any work will do – this life story promises, at least, to bring to the mundane light a piece of the human magic, life and work of this inspired social scientist.

KEYWORDS: John S. Bak; Literary Journalism; International Association for Literary Journalism Studies; IALJS; Tennessee Williams.