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Midweek Notes from a Practicing Writer

by Erika Dreifus on
2


‘Tis Tally Time!

A new batch of updates has been posted over on the Poetry Has Value site. Go ahead and read the contributing bloggers’ updates on submissions—and more—from each poet’s practice. (As always, I recommend that you read all of the posts, but if you’re especially eager to read mine, you’ll find it right here.

The Gang’s All Back

My Jewish-text-study-and-writing-group reunited last evening after too many weeks in which holiday observances, travel schedules, and life got in the way of our gatherings. I am so glad that we have reconvened. I missed everyone–and I missed the inspiration of our work together. (I drafted a new poem last night that I’m excited to keep working on–and it has been too long since I was able to say that!)

Newsletter Alerts

And it’s that time again. Time for me to remind you about some new newsletter issues. The latest edition of The Practicing Writer went out to subscribers this morning. And the Fig Tree Books newsletter was distributed yesterday. (It happens to include a number of suggestions for ways to celebrate Jewish Book Month, which we’re in right now.)

I’m always glad to see new subscribers, for either/both of the newsletters that I work on. (Hint, hint!)

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…)