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Midweek Notes from a Practicing Writer

by Erika Dreifus on
4

Good News!

Last week brought some unexpected good news: an acceptance for one of my poems!

The “unexpected” piece of this has a couple of factors. First, the accepted poem is fairly new. (In other words, it hadn’t already been rejected elsewhere at least a dozen times!) So to the extent that work is ever “snapped up,” this comes pretty close to that situation.

Moreover, I’ve tried this journal—The Hollins Critic—before; this is my first success there, and I didn’t necessarily anticipate it.

I’m not sure exactly when the poem will be published, but I’m told that publication will be within the next year. I will definitely keep you posted! (more…)

Midweek Notes from a Practicing Writer

by Erika Dreifus on
4
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. (more…)

Midweek Notes from a Practicing Writer

by Erika Dreifus on
Disabled

CvLD6ILWgAAVzL8A Night at the New York Society Library

Last Wednesday evening found me at the New York Society Library, where I participated with other Library members in reading from our recent work. With a five-minute limit, I read three poems: one that was recently published; one that was recently accepted for publication but has not yet appeared; and one that continues to seek a home (how’s that for a euphemism to replace “has been rejected 25 times [and counting]”—yes, that is an accurate tally, not an exaggeration). To be fair to myself, however, that poem has received one of the most amazing rejection notes I’ve collected over all these years of writing and sending out my work. (And speaking of tallies—and rejections—there’s a new batch of updates over on the Poetry Has Value site, including one from me.)

The Library always does such a beautiful job hosting these evenings (there is food! and wine!), and I’m always inspired by so much of what other people share. This reading was also memorable because I brought a small fan club: my mom, and my close friend Rachel Hall, who was in town for events connected with Heirlooms, her new book. (more…)

Midweek Notes from a Practicing Writer

by Erika Dreifus on
Disabled

Quick note: I don’t expect to be online today–I’m preparing this post ahead of time and scheduling it for “normal” publication on Yom Kippur, which this year begins at sunset Tuesday evening and ends Wednesday evening.

StaggerwingCelebrating Staggerwing

Had a terrific time Saturday evening at the launch event for Alice Kaltman’s Staggerwing. The story collection and its author were celebrated by a lively crowd at Brooklyn’s BookCourt, one of my favorite book-event venues.

I don’t think I’ve attended a bookstore reading organized quite like this one. After greeting us, Alice explained that we’d hear first from two other people–a poet friend and a brother-in-law (who happens to have “actor” in his resume)–who would each read one section from her story “The Honeymoon Suite.” After that, we’d hear Alice read a story. And then, we’d be treated to a Q&A with Alice conducted by Sara Lippmann. (Oh–complimentary wine and beer were also available.)

It worked out so well. Definitely a strategy to consider (especially if you have friends/relatives with stage presence!).
(more…)