Earth is about to get a second moon… but what will it mean for the lit world?

For a brief window between September 29th and November 25th, Earth’s gravity is going to pluck a passing, bus-sized asteroid out of space and pull it into our orbit. This second, mini moon will settle in alongside our first, relatively-mega moon, until it eventually tumbles out of our grasp and continues on its way. This visitor from the Arjuna asteroid belt will be too small for your average stargazing equipment to spot, unfortunately.

I have a lot of questions: Will this affect the tides? What about cell phone reception? Does this mean more werewolves? Remember, I write for a literary website, so my knowledge about science is limited.

But overall, what will this mean for the book world?

As many others have pointed out, the poets are going to lose their minds

DO NOT tell the poets https://t.co/gb0lXGJmlc

— Ghost City Press (@GhostCityPress) September 19, 2024

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No one is more obsessed with the moon than poets, other than maybe goths and astronomers. Two moons will be big for the poets—get ready for a lot of themed readings, new odes, and plenty of deep thoughts.

We non-poets need to be especially cognizant and watch for signs of two-moon obsession. Are the poets in your life gazing off, wistfully? They’re probably thinking about the mini moon! Is the poet in your life gazing out a window at the night sky next to two lit candles? They’re almost certainly honoring our twin moons. Is the poet in your life texting you short, emotionally fraught expressions of longing? They probably just realized that, since the collective mass of the Earth includes humans, it was our bodies’ gravity that pulled this passing asteroid in and are holding it close. Our corporeal vessel attracted another moon!

I can’t stress this enough: this is going to be big for the poets.

The sci-fi writers will be unfazed

This might seem counterintuitive, but this isn’t going to be a big deal to the speculative and science fiction crew. They’ve been using their writing to fill up the moon with aliens and creatures and bases and battles and landings for decades.

This second moon might be a good promotional opportunity, though — two moons mean twice the marketing hook for lunar books.

Increased interest in Nancy Meyer’s second Twilight book, New Moon

I have to guess there’s going to be a boost in sales and readership with so many people googling “new moon.” Plus, if there’s one thing I know about publishing, it’s that those sexy, sparkling vampires are always going to win in the end.

A second moon is a potent metaphor for any manuscripts in progress

A strange guest arrives mysteriously for a short stay? A new, younger version threatens to overshadow its predecessor? An intergalactic visitor captivates the world? The mini moon is a potent and versatile metaphor—expect it to show up in books coming out in the next few years.

The rich might try to fly up there

“Rich people blasting off into space isn’t lit world news, James…” Okay, but when so many publications and literary projects are funded through the largesse of moneyed folks, the possibility of someone jetting into space on a whim to visit the new moon could have real material consequences for the publishing world. “The money dried up for your advance because the CEO is going up to touch the mini moon,” doesn’t sound like an implausible email subject line to me!

Opportunities for new and exclusive residencies and awards

I know the idea of a residency on the second moon is impossible, but what about a short-term, themed retreat? I’ll bet that someone in the area of Joshua Tree or Burlington is cooking up a ten-week writing/wellness retreat in celebration of our new, outer space sibling.

And how about an award? The Mini Moon Prize for the best newcomer? Or since this moon is smaller, maybe The Second Moon Award for the best second novel that is shorter than the author’s debut? Or The Short Orbit Prize for the best poetry chapbook written in 57 days?

A big victory for lit people who love the night

The sun lovers’ season is coming to a close, and it’s finally time for the night crew to have their time under their favorite orb.

Twice the moons mean twice the reason to embrace the late day. We’ve got twice the motivation to meet up with pals for a night hang, twice the power to stay up late with a book or work on a new piece of writing, and twice the orbital companions on a walk after sunset. The mini moon is a win for the night owls.

But even if you’re not a night person, I hope you’ll join me in welcoming the mini moon to the neighborhood. Like a new kid who joins your class partway through the school year, let’s all try to be nice to the new rock on the block.