Midweek Notes from a Practicing Writer
Three quick updates.
1. As I mentioned to the participants in my book-promo webinar this past weekend, we’re witnessing an astonishing wave of online efforts to support authors with new books at this atypical time. It’s heartening—and kind of overwhelming (you can find a compilation of just some of these efforts posted by Allison Pottern Hoch).
I’m not alone in hoping that some good comes of all of these creative, energetic developments after the current crisis subsides. The “virtualizing” of readings and similar events should not replace in-person happenings altogether, but it should play a larger role in our literary universe than it has to date, to expand accessibility if for no other reason. (And I’m sure someone could assemble a lengthy list of reasons—consider that a free article/listicle idea.)
On an individual level, I’ve been overwhelmed by the invitations and inclusions that have come my way over the past several days. I’ve already signed on to be one of the readers in Hidden Timber Books’s soon-to-debut Online Author Reading Series (I’ll be reading April 5, and you can register here). I’ve received an incredibly generous shoutout (two shoutouts, actually), in this video. And speaking of videos, I’ve upped my own skill set this past week by recording one of myself (it was requested; I’ll let you know if/when it’s posted). And there’s more to come.
2. Back in the realm of traditional media, this week has also brought the arrival of one of my alumni magazines. I’m grateful that it includes a mention of Birthright—and even happier that the mention follows one for the newest book by my friend Natalie Wexler.
3. But enough about me (seriously). How are all of you doing?
Hi Erica. Newton in time of pandemic found new mathematical theory. I am working on translation my screenplay “Captain Gubal”. Be busy, be busy… to be healthy!
I am preparing to publish my first fiction Kindle ebook. It will contain two scifi short stories. The first, entitled “The Alien Infection,” is timely, although I started writing it in 2018. I’ll post here again when it’s available.
I wish that this time of COVID translated to finishing my memoir, but instead I’m dealing with so much panic in my day job that I don’t have the emotional capacity to write in the evenings as I used to. Hopefully things will settle down into a “new normal” over the next week or two.
I have just been awarded a research travel grant for research that I now cannot travel to.
We’re in the Age of Irony.
Wishing health and safety to all.
What a mix of responses. Appreciate you all.