Wednesday’s Work-in-Progress: New Quiet Americans Giveaway (and the Reasons for It)

Last year, I became a member of a Facebook discussion group run by Generations of the Shoah International (GSI). The group (which is “closed,” but open to membership requests submitted to the moderator) discusses specific books and films that are Holocaust-related. And we’ve had some great guests.

For instance, in December, our guests were documentarian Jean Bodon and Antoine Malamoud, discussing the film Léon Blum: For All Mankind. (Malamoud is Blum’s great-grandson.) This week, I’ve written about the film, and the book it inspired me to read, over on my other blog, My Machberet (where I focus on matters of specifically Jewish literary and cultural interest).

I’m proud to announce that in March, I will be the group’s special guest. All month, I’ll be engaging in online conversation about Quiet Americans. To mark this occasion–and mindful that we will be commemorating International Holocaust Remembrance Day a few days from now, on January 27–I’m offering two additional copies of the paperback version of Quiet Americans. Please go on over to Goodreads to enter. The giveaway will close on February 8, allowing plenty of time for reading ahead of the March discussions.

Jewish Literary Links for Shabbat

Photo Credit: Reut Miryam Cohen
Every Friday morning My Machberet presents an assortment of Jewish literary news from around the Web.

  • Mark your calendar for next Wednesday’s Jewish Book Council/Jewcy Twitter Book Club. The featured guest is Jami Attenberg, author (most recently) of The Middlesteins.
  • Tablet magazine’s correspondent met recently with Shani Boianjiu in Israel; the result is this profile of the author of The People of Forever Are Not Afraid.
  • Crash course in the history of Jews in Russia, courtesy of Lea Zeltserman (responding, it must be said, to a problematic remark made by Shimon Peres).
  • Want to win a copy of the English translation of Eduardo Halfon’s The Polish Boxer? Read (and comment) here, by Sunday afternoon.
  • The latest issue of JewishFiction.net went live this week. From its editor, Dr. Nora Gold: “In this all-women’s issue, you will find 14 wonderful works of fiction, originally written in Yiddish, Spanish, Hebrew, and English, by authors originating from the Ukraine, Argentina, Israel, England, Canada, and the United States. And with Chanukah just around the corner, we bring you also a Chanukah story from Israel (“Roller Coaster”).” (I’m proud to say that I am the author of one of those 14 works!)
  • And last, but not least, I’m about a week into my gig as the Association of Jewish Libraries Writer-in-Residence. Come join the fun (and discussions) on the AJL Facebook page!
  • Shabbat shalom–and warm wishes for a joyous Hanukkah.

    Wednesday’s Work-in-Progress: Eduardo Halfon’s “The Polish Boxer,” a Giveaway, and the Return of the “Is-It-Really-a-Novel?” Question

    If you’ve made it past the ridiculously long post title, maybe you’ll bear with me a moment longer.

    Remember back in July, when we were talking about the categories of novels and (linked) short-story collections? Remember that I described some difficulties that I had encountered reading Shani Boianjiu’s novel, simply because it was being presented and marketed as a novel–and I saw it more as a story collection?

    Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose. Or somewhat the same thing. My latest book review, published last week in The Jewish Journal, discusses Eduardo Halfon’s The Polish Boxer (translated, as I note in the review, by a group of translators: Daniel Hahn, Ollie Brock, Lisa Dillman, Thomas Bunstead and Anne McLean).

    The review begins: (more…)

    Friday Finds for Writers

    The weekly collection of writing-related resources, news, and reflections to read over the weekend.

  • A dilemma for lots of writers (yours truly included): how open to be about one’s political beliefs and causes. Here’s Jenna Blum’s take on the matter.
  • Free today (and, I believe, through the weekend, but don’t hold me to that): “13 Ways to Get the Writing Done Faster,” an e-book by Linda Formichelli and Carol Tice. If you follow this blog, you know that I’m always linking to posts on Linda’s and Carol’s blogs.
  • Wise words from Jamie Todd Rubin in this “FAQ: Will You Read My Story/Refer Me To Your Agent/Help Me Write A Query Letter, Etc.?” (thanks to @mabfan for the find).
  • And speaking of wisdom: Roxane Gay explains why writers should be wary of Simon & Schuster’s new self-publishing arm, Archway Publishing.
  • ICYMI: My latest thoughts on “Jewish fiction,” inspired by Tablet Magazine’s new fiction series, over on My Machberet.
  • Enjoy the weekend, all (and, Practicing Writer newsletter subscribers, look for the December issue to arrive imminently). See you back here on Monday.

    Friday Finds for Writers

    The weekly collection of writing-related resources, news, and reflections to read over the weekend.

  • I was very sorry to learn of the passing of Isaiah Sheffer, whose voice has welcomed me into so many memorable “Selected Shorts” broadcasts.
  • Superb submission advice from Michelle Seaton.
  • Nina Badzin is celebrating her blog’s second birthday with a slew of prizes. (The blog is instructive and fun, and I love visiting/reading, so I recommend that you go over there even if you aren’t interested in the books, barres, or blogging consultation that Nina is offering.)
  • You’ve likely heard the news: Philip Roth is done with writing! Eitan Kensky reads Roth’s declaration more closely.
  • And ICYMI: my November “First Looks” column, posted this week, previews two new fiction releases.
  • Have a great weekend, all. See you back here on Monday.