November Announcements
~ From My Writerly World ~
Ocotillo at Joshua Tree National Park
“Making art involves messing around in dangerous places. It requires you to make yourself open and vulnerable, to listen to the serene and archaic voices which challenge all that is superficial and secondhand.” — Kim Mahood, from Craft For A Dry Lake
literary nomination
“Politeness Will Not Protect You” was nominated by Hypertext Review for The Best American Essays 2021. Editors from any American periodical may submit essays published in 2020.
“The Best American series is the premier annual showcase for the country's finest short fiction and nonfiction. Each volume's series editor selects notable works from hundreds of magazines, journals, and websites. A special guest editor, a leading writer in the field, then chooses the best pieces to publish.”
Last year’s volume included Leslie Jamison and Jamaica Kincaid, so I won’t hold my breath. But I’m thrilled to be among the 14 selected by Hypertext for consideration.
forthcoming
“Case Management,” a short essay based on my work at a rape crisis center 20+ years ago, is scheduled to appear this week at the Sonora Review, following several months' delay. The special online issue, “Extinction,” is a collaboration with the University of Arizona Consortium on Gender-Based Violence. Thanks to my friend, Yurika Chiba, for letting me select her accompanying illustration, “Hidden.”
“The Bachelors” was accepted by Still Point Arts Quarterly for their winter issue (Dec. 1) on the theme of Food and Memory. This gorgeous journal, produced by Shanti Arts four times a year, includes reprints of historical and contemporary art, fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. My essay is an expanded version of one that appeared in the Readers’ Notes section of Ruminate Magazine last year on the theme Consume. After they previously declined “Love, Unconditional” (now under consideration at Snapdragon: A Journal of Art & Healing), it was encouraging to read this note from the editor: “Always grateful to find great work for our publication.”
not yet . . .
I received my first rejection for “Never Think About The Bad Things” with comments from Iron Horse Literary Review:
“We enjoyed many of the details in this story, especially when the narrator ruminates on aspects of her grandmother's memories of an earlier time. We liked how this piece unfolds as the narrator moves through her grandparents’ house and how certain objects—such as the framed pictures—spark a memory. Even so, we wanted to see more of the grandmother's story as opposed to lengthy exposition. We also wanted to know more about what these memories meant to the narrator.”
Part of me thinks, “Harrumph. They didn’t ‘get’ it.” But that’s the job of the writer. It’s rare to receive editorial suggestions with rejection, so I appreciate the feedback. If the piece is declined by Boulevard and T E X L A N D I A, then back to the keyboard I”ll go!
student success
I recently tutored a high school junior on the revision, editing, and submission process for an essay she wrote about volunteering at a pop-up food pantry during the pandemic. “Bridging the Distance” was accepted for publication on the Stories page at The Telling Room, which empowers youth ages 6 to 18 “through writing and sharing their voices with the world.” You can read the piece here. Congratulations, Nina!
LynneAnne Forest, who began AWA workshops with me at The Sitting Room and has returned to each series since, also celebrated her first acceptance this month. Her poem “The Arc” was published this week at Yellow Arrow Journal in Vol. V, No. 3 on the theme of (Re)Formation.
“Your encouragement to submit my writing for publication is more than I thought would happen when I decided to honor what writing gifts I may have by registering for your workshop.”
Yellow Arrow Publishing seeks to uplift underrepresented voices and to allow women writers to exist and be heard exactly as they are:
“Creating diversity in the literary world is deeply important work. It is our belief that when we share our stories with each other, it creates a ripple effect of empathy, compassion, and understanding. We see creativity as an act of service. . .”
The issue is available for purchase as a perfect-bound paperback ($9.99) or PDF ($1.99).
workshop testimonials
Last week I facilitated the final three series of my 6-week workshops: Writing From Memory or Imagination. I am tremendously grateful for the opportunity to work with the 35 women writers who have joined me since February! Afterwards, I emailed a survey to my Tuesday group of newcomers, including the question, “What would you say to recommend this workshop to others?”
Here are a few responses:
“It exceeded my expectations. Nicole created a clear, structured, informal, and safe environment that supported my hopes to write without inhibition, (i.e. to get out of my own way) so I could go back into the raw material and glean the best from it. I feel measurably more confident about my writing as a result.”
“If you are seeking a space to explore your capacities as an artist/writer in a respectful, gentle, creative community, Nicole will weave her magic. You may find yourself producing work that surprises and pleases you and that leads you to new discoveries about yourself and your craft.”
“If you doubt your skill, or doubt your talent, you must take an AWA workshop. Therein you will meet your writing self by way of thought-provoking exercises that automatically tease out the artist within. And, if you are fortunate enough to work with a facilitator as keen, clever, and cogent as Nicole Zimmerman, you’re in for an exceptional writing adventure.”
AWA workshops will resume in early 2021; stay tuned!
paper-pencil-pen
For seven years I worked as a copywriter for Viator, a TripAdvisor company, writing and editing product descriptions (i.e. tours, attractions, and activities worldwide). When the freelance budget froze, my contract was put on hold. In the spring, the TripAdvisor Media Group let go of 25% of its global workforce. The Viator editorial team were among the 900 who lost their jobs due to the pandemic. Often, when one door closes, another opens. I recently filed my fictitious business name (FBN) with the county clerk. I am now officially 'doing business as' Paper-Pencil-Pen, which was the title of my 7-year blog on the writing life (2009–2016). I’m ready to hang out my shingle. Services include workshops, tutoring, and manuscript review. Please contact me for a consultation. You can also check out my online portfolio, LinkedIn, Facebook page, and Twitter account.
pandemic productivity
Anyone who has ever struggled to create may relate to the words of Ruth Osorio in “I Am a Writer, Even on Days I Can’t Write: On Rejecting Productivity Advice," excerpted from Brevity’s blog:
"One way I have worked toward embracing my own writing process is reframing what even counts as writing. . . I am not a writer because I write a certain number of words every day. I am a writer because I use story to reimagine worlds. My value as a writer, citizen, and human is not rooted in my productivity, I tell myself on those brain-foggy, exhausted days in which small humans climb on my limbs with no mercy."
creativity retreats
Susie Stonefield Miller—midwife to your creative spirit—is offering three Come Back to Center creative retreat days in December. Reflection (12/13) includes a deep dive into art journaling, looking forward by looking back. Inspiration (12/20) shows you how to create a deck of word cards that set intention for the year ahead. Envisioning (12/27) lets you collage a dream board, or vision board: part plan, part intuition.
Each virtual workshop, which runs 11–5 Pacific time (with a break in between), includes teaching, demo, 1:1 check-ins, and group sharing plus plenty of time to create. Cost is $99 per session, with discounts for multiple days. Register at Creativity Retreats.
I first stepped into Unfold Studio, housed at Ner Shalom synagogue, six years ago. Although I miss the interactive hum of the playshop with paints, stamps, stencils, and pencils on hand, the online format allows me to create in the comfort of home. Turn on relaxing music, make a cuppa tea, then settle in and let your imagination soar!
Susie also offers art journaling sessions each Friday, 10–1. She calls it a “heart-centered practice” that emphasizes process over product:
“You don’t need to know what your page will be about before you start. Keep yourself open to whatever shows up. You may be surprised by what your unconscious wants to talk about!”
Below are a couple of pages from my own art journals. To learn more, go to Creative Life Raft.
turning inward: iRest
Join Rhonda Gerhard, Certified Yoga Teacher, for 1-hour group yoga nidra/iRest sessions from the comfort of home. Yoga nidra is a mindfulness-based meditative technique that induces a deeply restful state of being, especially helpful during life’s constantly changing circumstances. Unlike typical yoga, there’s no movement or held poses, except savasana. Simply lie down (get a blanket and eye-pillow) and listen as you’re gently guided through a visualization that integrates body, mind, and spirit. I can attest to the positive effects!
According to Rhonda:
“Yoga Nidra/iRest is a meditation of self-inquiry. We ask ourselves, ‘What is my Sankalpa (a heartfelt desire or intention) towards healing, strength, and wholeness? We welcome our unique Inner Resources—calling up peaceful places or protective and nurturing beings—so that we can draw on our deep inner knowing and loving-kindness. With continued practice, we build our resilience."
The next Zoom sessions are Wednesdays, Dec. 2, 9, & 16, from 4–5pm PST. It’s currently offered free of charge, but donations are appreciated! For info or to register, contact Rhonda Gerhard at helpmerhondanow@sbcglobal.net.
gratitude
Tomorrow Kristen and I are driving to a remote Airbnb just outside Joshua Tree National Park. I look forward to a week of hiking, birding, hot tubbing under stars, and reading/relaxing with my honey. With the rise of COVID cases and a continuation of post-election shenanigans, in the words of Shanti Arts: “Choose kindness over impertinence, generosity over selfishness, and compassion over accusation.” Wishing everyone a healthy, sane, and bountiful Thanksgiving.
© Matt Collamer, unsplash
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