Midweek Notes from a Practicing Writer

This trip merited the purchase of a new suitcase. (Thank you, Travelsmith!)
This trip merited the purchase of a new suitcase. (Thank you, Travelsmith!)

I’m Back!

As I prepare this post, it has been a week since my return from Israel, where I spent an amazing week-plus traveling with a group from my home congregation. I expect that aspects of the trip will find their way into my writing in due course. But for now, finished with jet lag but still catching up on work (and other events) that have transpired in my absence and since my return, I’m going to focus elsewhere. Here on the Practicing Writing blog, at least.

To begin: I’m thrilled to share my latest poem publication. It, too, emerged from my delving into Jewish texts. You’ll find “A Single Woman Argues with Ecclesiastes” over on the Forward‘s Sisterhood blog.

On the Other Hand

But it hasn’t all been rosy in poetry land. On Tuesday afternoon, as I finish drafting this post, I’ve received my third rejection message (for a total of 11 poems) since noon. That’s just within the past few hours! That doesn’t count yesterday, or any of the days before (yes, including days during my trip).

Even with the new publication, my next update for Poetry Has Value isn’t going to be very pretty. That much seems clear.

Giveaway Alert!

Let’s get back to positive things! I’ve been busy this week alerting people to this Goodreads giveaway, which I’ve organized in my capacity as Media Editor for Fig Tree Books. Please consider entering, if you’re so inclined.

Goodreads Book Giveaway

My Jewish Year by Abigail Pogrebin

My Jewish Year

by Abigail Pogrebin

Giveaway ends December 05, 2016.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

4 thoughts on “Midweek Notes from a Practicing Writer

  1. Erendira says:

    Welcome back Erika!

    I enjoyed your poem very much! I love the book of Ecclesiastes and was delightfully encouraged to see the line “how can one be warm alone?” in your poem. I used it as well in one of my recent short stories! Ecclesiastes is a wonderful book, full of wisdom and surprise, full of statements that one cannot articulate otherwise. Thank you for sharing this perspective in your poem. I am glad to share.

    Erendira

    1. Erika Dreifus says:

      Thank you so much, Erendira. Is that story of yours published? I’d like to read it!

  2. Judith says:

    “On Tuesday afternoon, as I finish drafting this post, I’ve received my third rejection message (for a total of 11 poems) since noon.”

    Erika, that means you’re writing a lot of poetry. That’s wonderful. Each will no doubt be published when you find the right setting. That may take time, but how wonderful to have written them. Best of luck and congratulations on the acceptance. And thanks for your generosity. This site offers so much; not least, encouragement.

    With wishes for great success for every one of your poems, Judith M.

    1. Erika Dreifus says:

      Well, that’s a positive way to look at it. Thanks, Judith!

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