Midweek Notes from a Practicing Writer

“Where to Publish Your Work” Page Updated

ICYMI, a few days ago I announced the availability of an updated version of the “Where to Publish Your Work” page right here on this website. Consider it your go-to resource for literary- and freelance-market research. (P.S. If the page helps you find a home for your work, I’d love to hear that success story!)

Friedman_Pumpkinflowers_jkt_HC_rgb_2MB_HR-1What I’m Reading

Slowly but steadily, I’m making my way through Matti Friedman’s stunning new book. Pumpkinflowers: A Soldier’s Story is a relatively slender volume, and many of its chapters are quite short. But it’s powerful and intense, and I am reading it carefully and in small doses. (I must add that as I read, I’m aware of an additional layer of meaning because this week brings both Israel’s Memorial Day and Independence Day.)

Pumpkinflowers is receiving a lot of excellent attention. See, for example, these reviews. Listen to Matti’s conversation with The New York Times Book Review‘s Pamela Paul. And read a related piece by Matti for TheAtlantic.com.

Then, get your hands on a copy of the book.

And Now for Something Completely Different

In a week that has produced what somehow feels as though it’s more than my fair allotment of poetry rejections, this sharing of my words–an RT from the esteemed Donna Brazile!–is a definite highlight.

Midweek Notes from a Practicing Writer

the-blue-card-logoBlue Card on My Mind

An article in Saturday’s New York Times titled “Holocaust Survivors’ Needs Become Acute With Age” (that’s the title in my print newspaper; online, the headline reads, “As Holocaust Becomes More Distant, Survivors’ Needs Intensify”) seemed acutely well-timed to me, for a couple of reasons.

First, we’re approaching Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, which (according to the Hebrew calendar), will be observed next week. And second, I’ve recently sent in my Q1 donation, based on sales of Quiet Americans, to The Blue Card. I’ve spoken before about why I remain committed to sharing portions of sale proceeds with The Blue Card, but this is an appropriate time of year to give the organization another shoutout for the essential work that it does.

Also in My Thoughts (more…)

Midweek Notes from a Practicing Writer

Beyond-Your-Blog-Hall-Of-Fame-Showcasing-our-favorite-writing-from-our-readers-who-have-been-published-beyond-their-blogsI’m Famous!

Well, sort of.

This week brought the happy news that a piece of mine had been “chosen” for the Beyond Your Blog “Hall of Fame.”

You’ve probably seen me mention Beyond Your Blog before–I find it an inspiring and helpful site. I’ve also joined the BYB Facebook group, where, each month, members are encouraged “to post their best work that has been featured outside of their personal blog. A guest editor selects five favorites (in the areas of humor, non-humor, how-to/informational, reported stories & essays and editor’s choice) to be featured on this page and we also promote them in our newsletter and on social media.”

When the February call came around, I decided to share the link to my poem “Self-Portrait with Root Rescue™,” which appeared last month on Silver Birch Press. And, lo and behold, it “won” the humor category.

I’m especially grateful for the kind comments of this month’s judge, Norine Dworkin-McDaniel, who said, “I thought this piece was so clever, riffing on the frustrations of getting older without the negativity. Really made me laugh. Well done.” (more…)

Midweek Notes from a Practicing Writer

root-rescueNewly Published Poem

Happy to share my latest published poem, “Self-Portrait with Root Rescue™,” which Silver Birch Press published last week as part of its “My Mane Memories” series.

As noted beneath the poem, this one emerged from a prompt I discovered last April during National Poetry Month. I’d been trying to place it for several months when I learned about the themed call from Silver Birch Press. (I’d also read it aloud a couple of times in public, where it was well received.) (more…)