This and That

My poem, "Red Gloves," has been accepted for publication in the UK-based magazine for women writers, Mslexia. I'm very pleased with this acceptance, because I love the magazine. Very hip and fresh. Arlene introduced me to it. She's also hip and fresh, and has a new chapbook, Secret Love Poems, forthcoming from Rubicon Press. I can't wait to read it!

Today marked my completion of round two of 30:30 at Inside the Writer's Studio. I decided to take a break from the workshop for the month of November to participate in NaNoWriMo. All I can say is this: IS IT DECEMBER YET??????!!!!!!!!!!! I feel the need for a lobotomy or an exorcism coming on strong.

Speaking of novels, I just finished making revisions to Tomato Girl, which is forthcoming from Algonquin Books in the Fall of 2008. Chuck Adams, the editor who worked on my manuscript, did an amazing job, bringing out the best in my story by showing me where to cut what wasn't essential. Now, if only he made house calls, I could nail this novel writing thing.

Not two hours after I returned Tomato Girl, I received edits and suggestions on my poetry manuscript, Forms of Intercession. Judith Kerman, the publisher/editor at Mayapple Press, is incredibly perceptive and energetic. Mayapple has produced quite a number of fine books this year, which is no small feat for a press this size. Judy has made many excellent suggestions, and I'm particularly excited about this book, which is scheduled for release in January, 2008.

My mother always said, "There is no rest for the wicked." I'm living proof.

Tomorrow is an exception, because it is Halloween. I intend to eat a lot of chocolate, drink a substantial amount of red wine, and scare myself by watching Rosemary's Baby and The Exorcist. I'm not dressing up, as my kids are teenagers and there is no frightening them now. I did threaten them recently, that if I kept finding them online looking at naughty pictures (okay, porn), I would have my face installed as the screensaver on their computer. That seemed to frighten the little darlings a bit.


Happy Halloween!