December Announcements
From My Writerly World
The Nov. 22 public opening for “Discovered: Emerging Artists” at the Museum of Sonoma County was a success! During a VIP reception Ellen Sussman, the lead juror on the literary panel, spoke eloquently about the challenges of the writer’s life before introducing each of the awardees who read excerpts of our work:
Nicole has an arsenal of literary tools at her disposal. Her prose shimmers. She chooses the perfect revealing detail… Her dialogue is often surprising and spot-on. She is ambitious and dedicated to her art.
Excerpts of my essay "Love, Unconditional" are featured in the printed catalog, a visual panel on a museum wall, and a big-screen video. I will participate in a panel discussion on Dec. 12 (see below).
“Beyond the visibility each artist gains with the exhibit, the monetary and credibility boost each artist receives from the program is a catalyst to further their career,” said Kristen Madsen, director of Creative Sonoma, in this article in the Bohemian.
Speaking of the Bohemian... my article "Finding Hanukkah in the Happy Holidays" was this week's cover feature (and also appeared in Marin's alt-weekly, the Pacific Sun).
In other publishing news, my lyric flash essay “Church Street Beat” is forthcoming online at Toho Journal next week!
Going Public with Personal or Political Work: Artist Discussion
Thursday, December 12, 2019, 7:00-8:30pm
Museum of Sonoma County: 435 7th Street, Santa Rosa
Literary and visual art work can be a natural medium to explore topics that may be controversial, very personal, or just uncomfortable to talk about. Choosing to present this work can be socially alienating, or even dangerous for some. It can also be profoundly rewarding. In this panel we will hear from a selection of Discovered artists who will be asked to share their personal experiences and insight on going public with personal or political work. Panelists include:
Michael Shapiro, moderator
Leilani Clark, literary artist
Ash Hay, visual artist
Nestor Torres Lupercio, visual artist
Nicole Zimmerman, literary artist
Non-members $10 pre-pay or $15 at the door
Click HERE to register
Shut Up & Write!™ Wine Country
Drop in for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. No one will see what you’ve written. Instead of just thinking about it, come and get some real writing done.
Tuesdays, 8:30 AM at JavAmore Cafe in Penngrove, hosted by Nicole Z. (me!)
Tuesdays, 5:30 PM at the Union Hotel in East Santa Rosa, hosted by Kathleen E.
2nd Sunday of the month, 9:00 AM at Cafe Noto in Windsor, hosted by Rea
Occasional Fridays, 3:00 PM at Acre Coffee in Santa Rosa, hosted by Cathy B.
RSVP at Meetup. It’s free! Please arrive 15 minutes early.
Books on my bedside table:
I'm especially excited to read A River of Stars by Vanessa Hua, my excellent workshop facilitator in short fiction at the Mendocino Coast Writers' Conference. The novel appeared on the Washington Post and NPR’s Best Books of 2018 lists.
In a powerful debut novel about motherhood, immigration, and identity, a pregnant Chinese woman makes her way to California and stakes a claim to the American dream.
Happy reading!