Wednesday’s Work-in-Progress: J Journal Essay (and a Giveaway!)

JJournalSpring2013coverMy contributor copies of the spring 2013 issue of J Journal: New Writing on Justice arrived last week. (My contribution, “My Life as a Bully,” is an essay describing one of the more shameful episodes from my childhood.)

In case you’re not familiar with J Journal, here’s how it is described on its website (which is in the process of being redesigned): “J Journal: New Writing on Justice examines its subject through creative work, directly and tangentially. Housed at CUNY’s John Jay College of Criminal Justice, one of the nation’s premier criminal justice institutions, J Journal’s contributors have included established and new writers, professionals in the law enforcement field, lawyers, professors in the humanities and social sciences, and prison inmates. Unlike other CJ publications, J Journal, which comes out twice a year, is the country’s first to present its analyses of contemporary justice issues through creative, not scholarly work. The short stories, poems, and personal narratives in each volume expand reflection on the question: What is justice?”

Since I’m a J Journal subscriber (and advisory board member) as well as a contributor, I’m awash in spring 2013 issues! And so I’m offering to mail one of my copies to one of you. Please just leave a comment below, and the random number generator will do its job one week from today (please note that I can send only to mailing addresses in the U.S.).

Good luck to everyone who enters the giveaway! And for some other coverage of J Journal, please check out the following:

  • American Association of Law Libraries (AALL) Spectrum on J Journal
  • NewPages on J Journal
  • The Review Review on J Journal
  • Utne Reader on J Journal
  • An article of mine on themed/niche literary journals, with comments from J Journal‘s editors.
  • UPDATE: The Random Number Generator chose our giveaway winner–Commenter #1, Michelle Tackabery! Congratulations, Michelle, and thanks to EVERYONE for the interest in playing along.

    15 thoughts on “Wednesday’s Work-in-Progress: J Journal Essay (and a Giveaway!)

    1. What a grand idea. I’d love to read a copy!

    2. Barbara Baer says:

      thank you, would love to read a copy.

    3. Jo Anne Burgh says:

      I’ve never heard of this journal, but I’m fascinated. I’d love a copy. Thanks so much for the offer!

    4. Sarah Marian says:

      Would love a copy!

    5. Would love to read that essay! Thanks for the offer to send it out. I’ve been curious ever since reading you would be writing for them.

    6. Mardra says:

      Yes Please – I would like the chance to have a copy of this!

    7. Patricia says:

      Congrats!
      I submitted a couple of poems earlier but was not accepted; however, it is great to see a journal on this theme.

      1. Erika Dreifus says:

        Patricia, the first piece I submitted (a short story) wasn’t accepted, either. The next piece was accepted (after I followed some excellent revision tips from the editors) and went on to win a Pushcart Special Mention. So I encourage you to keep submitting!

    8. Dashiell Hammett would be proud. I’ve edited legal briefs and had extensive discussions with friends and relatives who work in the legal system. J Journal seems to be reviving or revisiting a 19th century approach to questions of jurisprudence: Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment, for instance, or several of the novels of Dickens, etc.

      Very intriguing. And kudos to you for your involvement – and essay. (I’ll post this on Facebook and Twitter – others should know about it.)

    9. Monica C. says:

      It’s a wonderful journal. I’d be very happy to have a copy of the spring 2013 issue. Thanks for extending the offer.

    10. Patricia (and any other writer), one of the interesting revelations at the National Book Critics Circle panel at the Center for Fiction during Book Expo was about how women authors react to rejection slips.

      Apparently, men ignore them and simply keep on submitting to the same publications. Women — or at least a high percentage of us — tend to not submit again to a publication that has rejected a piece of ours. Accept the rejections and move on with the next submission was the message.

      Erika, I’d love to read the journal.

    11. Jean F says:

      The idea of a creative journal on justice issues resonates with me. Please include me in the draw.

    12. This journal sounds great. Would love a copy!

    13. Libby Kessman says:

      I’d love a copy!

      1. Erika Dreifus says:

        Libby, thanks, but the giveaway has ended! Maybe next time?

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