Rejections 340 and 341, an Acceptance and a BOOK COVER!

I love it so much. 

This week I got no's from Subtropics and Copper Nickel. The Subtropics note is a little oddly worded, in my opinion, saying that my story "isn't going to be a go" for them, but that informality made me think it was a personal note? It's probably not, but if that's their strategy, it worked!

However! I did get a note from Paul Lisicky (!!!) at StoryQuarterly that they were accepting my story, "Half Dollar," for publication in January/February. StoryQuarterly has such a rich history and I love its Illinois roots, and to receive a note from Paul Lisicky: all of this was pretty dreamy. I'm so happy someone liked what I think of as my take on a Shirley Jackson story. 

Finally, I can share my cover for The Grip of It, out in August 2017 from Farrar, Straus & Giroux. Such a dream. I couldn't be happier with the cover and am so grateful to Alex Merto for the stellar design. 

Rejection 339

Nothing a Solo Cup can't fix. 

I submitted a story to Ploughshares Solos because the story is long and they are open to that, but they politely declined.

Rejections 335, 336, 337, & 338

Whoo! It's September and school is in session and journal readers are hard at work reading those summer submissions. 

I've received four in the last week! Three were encouraging: A Public Space, The Laurel Review and Tupelo Quarterly. One seems like more a flat-out rejection from Mid-American Review. 

Do I like kind encouragement more than acceptance? Possibly. 

Poetry Book Rejection

Goodnight, sweetheart, goodnight. 

Noemi declined my poetry collection, and, with that, I believe I am hanging up my poetry hat for a while. I read through the collection again when the rejection came and had to admit the work seems weaker the longer I hold it in my hands. Maybe at some point I'll go back through a revise, but, for now, I have prose interests that feel more pressing. Goodbye, sweet poetry hopes. I never quite figured you out. 

Residency Rejection and Waitlist

Today I found my name engraved in plastic on my office door at Lake Forest and it made me very happy. 

In the last of my residency applications, I was rejected by Djerassi and waitlisted for a return trip to Ragdale. I'm a little disappointed, but then I remind myself of all of the great luck I've had, and I think the one residency I have lined up for June of next year, at the Rensing Center, is more than enough what with book tour for travel and whatnot. 

Thankful.

Rejection 334

Nothin in between.

n+1 had sent an encouraging note last time around, and this time it seems more form. Admittedly, the story I sent them was a bit long for any journal, so I understand. I don't know where these long stories are coming from. I used to struggle to break a thousand words and now they're passing the 10k mark. So strange, but trying to stay open and learn even if it means the work doesn't find a home easily.

Rejection 333

Silver tuna. 

Black Warrior Review rejected another story of mine. Someday! I've been really trying to match what I think they want, but still no luck. Good to have a goal!

Rejection 332 and New Story In Funhouse

New Issue on Conflicted Bodies!

I received a rejection from Salamander this week.

I also have a story in the newest issue of Funhouse, a new-ish magazine out of East London focused on the body. 

Rejection 331, Residency Rejection & Essay Published

The essay equivalent of Banksy's Dismaland.

Slice Magazine let me know the story I sent them wasn't the perfect fit for their upcoming "Corporeal" issue. I thought the story was a good fit. It's about an orthopedic surgeon's ego, but oh well. 

Amtrak rejected me for their train residency this year. I am ok with that. I am still skeptical of their terms, if I'm being honest. 

BUT! An essay I started working on a year and a half ago, about a trip I took to Disney World 2 years ago is live at the Fanzine. I'd be honored if you read Doing Too Much: Death and the American Vacation.

Rejections 329 and 330

I hate endings, but I love coming to the end. 

Granta didn't want the story I sent them and n+1 sent what I believe to be an encouraging rejection?

No matter. I'm here in Denmark with amazing writers from around the world and I've made it through two passes through my next novel, so that's terrific. And I'm working on a new story as well. 

And this afternoon I'll be in conversation with Amanda Michalopoulou, a Greek writer whom I greatly admire and who has proven an excellent companion for the past few weeks, at the King's Chamber in Viborg. 

Tak.