Erika Dreifus

A Big Announcement (and Two Other Things)

1. A Big Announcement

I’ve been waiting a while to be able to share this news:

My first poetry collection has found a home!

Birthright will be published by Kelsay Books (Aldrich Press imprint) in November 2019.

I am going to have a lot more to say about this book in the months to come. For now, I’m just excited to share this announcement with all of you.

2. Writing Jewish American Fiction in 2019

Over on my other blog, I’ve shared news about—and instructions for accessing a video recording of—my friend Elizabeth (Liz) Edelglass’s outstanding recent presentation on “Writing Jewish American Fiction in 2019.” I watched it streaming live last Saturday, and it was as superb as I knew it would be. (Instinctively, I was moved to applaud at the end, although there was no way for Liz to know that!)

In addition to talking about and reading excerpts from her own excellent work, Liz incorporated in this presentation references to Grace Paley, Tracy K. Smith, and other names that you’re likely to recognize. (Note to litmag editors: Pay close attention to the one as-yet-unpublished piece that Liz presents in this talk. You are likely to want to snap it up!)

3. Where I’m Not

Nope, unlike many thousands of you, I am not on my way to or already situated in Portland, Ore., for this year’s conference of the Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP). (But I’m open to the possibility of participating in next year’s conference. Please keep me in mind if you’re starting to think about those proposals–especially if you’re working up any ideas on writing/publishing Jewish literature and/or poetry. I can also talk about book promo. And various other topics.)

Meantime, I hope that everyone who is attending the conference has a wonderful, productive time. (And if you’re also staying put, and that FOMO is starting to strike, may I recommend to you Jennifer Niesslein’s “Why I’m Not Going to AWP,” courtesy of the Brevity blog.)