Finally. I mean... REALLY. I was beginning to lose hope and faith in the quality of my prose.
Sou'wester is going to publish a short essay from the memoir. "Her Garden" will appear in print at some point, don't know when yet. Validation is sweet, you know? Only my second essay ever published, and just the first from the manuscript.
I was curious about my submission stats over the last year or so, and was shocked by the numbers (these do not count book and individual poem / essay contests, or chapbook contests, which in themselves number 103):
2007: 61 prose and poetry submissions to literary journals, 2 poems published.
2008: 67 mostly prose submissions, some poetry, 1 essay published (or will be).
These numbers may very well mean I'm a terrible writer. That IS a possibility. I don't buy it, but then again, I'm on the inside looking out. Plus, I've simply received too many nice notes from various editors.
Tonight I shall celebrate by not working, watching much tv, and going to bed on time.
Many pats on the back, handshakes, hugs, hair toussles, winks, pinches and *clink* with a hearty glass of red!
ReplyDeleteFrances
Congratulations, I am sure it is deserved and others will follow.
ReplyDeleteSince this is a published writer's blog, I better make that a glass of hearty red.
ReplyDeleteWoohoo! Excellent. Well done.
ReplyDeleteYay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is beyond excellent!!! :):) Tell Jackie to send me a copy when it comes out- I wanna read it/have a copy!! :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!
ReplyDeleteBenjamin that is great news. Where shall I get a copy? Keep warm with that rush of elation.
ReplyDeleteThanks to you all for stopping and congratulating. Hopefully you'll stop by again in about two weeks for more good news (or sooner, who knows).
ReplyDeleteGreat news and a great start to the year :)
ReplyDeleteSplendid (and well deserved), news!
ReplyDeleteDon
Wonderful news - and what a great way to start a new year! Keep everyone posted, okay?
ReplyDeleteBenjamin-
ReplyDeleteGreat news. I am so happy for you amd much deserved.
Also, I wanted to thank you for your recommendation of 'Refuge'. Because of you, I bought it, brought it with me to Israel and just finished (with regrets). I totally allowed myself to sink into it and savor every morsel. What a gifted writer she is. I'm remiss to buy any of her other books for fear that they couldn't possibly live up to Refuge's quality. Any further suggestions you have about books, send my way at: fransorin@aol.com And again, I'm so happy for you about being published!! Best- Fran
Fran--So glad you liked Refuge! Everyone I talk to enjoys it so much (except my students, alas). I've read some of her other work, and for me, it doesn't compare. But could be just me. I think she has a new book just out, or soon to be out.
ReplyDeleteHave you read Staying Put by Scott Russell Sanders? That's a bit different, but high on my list as well--mix of memoir and essay. I will always "pimp" Stanley Kunitz and his The Wild Braid: A Poet Reflects on a Century in the Garden.
Most excellent, Benjamin! Hope your evening came was as thoroughly decadent and delightful as planned. As for your stats--isn't a trunk full of rejections a requirement for acceptance in PEN?
ReplyDelete