Erika Dreifus

Each week (typically Fridays), the Practicing Writing blog offers writing and publishing resources, news, and reflections to peruse over the weekend.

• Yesterday, PEN America announced “the selection of award-winning novelist, essayist, and professor Phil Klay to serve as its president and chair of the Board of Trustees.” 
• From JSTOR Daily/Anna Mebel: something of a mini-course in minimalist short stories, featuring work by Raymond Carver, Amy Hempel, Frederick Barthelme, Jayne Anne Phillips, Mary Robison, and Ann Beattie.
• In a guest essay on Publishing Confidential, author Jerry Falade “reflects on losing his book deal and being accused of using AI.” (Some background, via Publishers Weekly.)
• Another week, another set of newsy items curated from the world of Jewish books and writing, including early-bird registration for the 2026 Jewish Book Council Writers’ Conference; latest winners of the Canadian Jewish Literary Awards; and much more.
• Author Annie Dillard passed away this week. Instead of pointing you to one obituary or another, I’m going to suggest that you take a look at her official website.

Quick reminder: We’re just past September’s midpoint, but plenty of the (fee-free and paying) opportunities listed in the monthly newsletter remain open for submissions and applications.

Wishing everyone a good weekend—and for those, like me, who will be observing the Yom Kippur holiday, may it be a meaningful one.