September Announcements
~ From My Writerly World ~
Woodward Valley, Point Reyes National Seashore (8/14/20)
The smoke has cleared in this part of Northern California, but dozens of fires still ravage the west. Only days before dry lightning sparked a blaze that burned roughly 5,000 acres in the Woodward Valley, Kristen and I were hiking, birding, and watching numerous humpback whales lunge-feed offshore. I was heartened to see a recent photo on the Pt. Reyes Twitter feed of a surviving bobcat, but I wonder about all the wild creatures that roam through burning wilderness.
Keep breathing. Keep writing. Keep reading. Wishing all L’Shana Tova ~ a sweet(er) new year!
writing workshops
"I can't adequately express how much I've enjoyed our weekly AWA workshops. Your warm and inclusive style makes everyone feel welcome and valued. I look forward to each opportunity to immerse in writing and reflecting. I don’t think there could be an equivalent activity to bridge and quell during this time of virus, wildfire, unhinged political scene and more. Such a treat and a real joy!" —from an ongoing participant
With my seventh 6-week series of Writing From Memory or Imagination nearly complete, registration is open for October–November sessions. Priority enrollment on Wednesdays and Thursdays is reserved for all current and former participants. Due to additional interest, I am offering another workshop series on Tuesdays for newcomers! Space is limited.
Dates: Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27 + Nov. 3, 10
Time: 10 am–12:30 pm (PDT)
Cost: $150 for the series; no drop-ins
“This was exactly what I needed to loosen up my writing. It’s an excellent way to still the inner critic. The prompts are thoughtful and creative; they stimulate spontaneous, unaffected creativity. Nicole is a supportive and energetic workshop leader.” — testimonial from a new participant
We follow the Amherst Writers & Artists (AWA) method, using a variety of prompts and reflective feedback to bolster our creative practice. Initially hosted at The Sitting Room, each session is currently held virtually via Zoom. Interested? Please fill out an Inquiry Form, including a phone number: https://www.nicolerzimmerman.com/workshops
call to black poets
Peregrine Journal, a publication of Amherst Writers & Artists, seeks submissions for an anthology, Black Poets Speak To America, co-edited by Rachelle Parker and Jan Haag:
“We recognize the importance of Black voices and literature. AWA wants to honor the legacy of our America by gathering poems of all styles that address culture, racism, slavery and social equality by Black poets. The anthology will reflect the spirit of AWA — artistic excellence with a social conscience.”
Deadline is September 30. See more details at Submittable.
publication news
Made Local Magazine published “All Hands on Deck,” my article about the maker program at The Spring Hill School. Pick up a Sept/Oct issue free at a local market or bookstore, or read it online.
“ ‘Making helps students find connections between academic content areas and real-life experiences,’ says Kristen Sorensen, who leads science, teaches coding, and offers a makers elective at the middle school site. (Disclaimer: She also happens to be my wife.)”
“Hope Against Hope,” a flash memoir about my mother-in-law’s final days under hospice care, was published this month in Sunset Sunrise: A Collection of Endings & Beginnings. This prose collection, edited by Crissi Langwell, features members of Redwood Writers. $15 at Amazon:
“From the beginning of a love affair to the end of a marriage, from the start of a journey to the end of the road, from the first signs of life to the very last breath, this anthology shares tales of endings and beginnings, shining a light on the sunset or sunrise of a moment."
"Politeness Will Not Protect You” will appear online Sunday at Hypertext Review! You can read the essay among other finalists and winners of the 2020 contest, also published in print.
“Self-defense introduced a new discourse, one that challenged the myth of provocation and the concept of muscular strength as a primary measure of power.”
“Case Management” is forthcoming in Sonora Review’s special online issue on gender-based violence—to be published in October in honor of domestic violence awareness month. The essay will be matched with the wonderful artwork of my friend Yurika Chiba (pictured with me below).
“Fallen,” a New Millennium Writing Awards finalist, is slated for online publication this month at The Rumpus: Voices on Addiction section. VoA is devoted to true personal narratives, authored by the spectrum of individuals affected—“to break the story by breaking the status quo of addiction: the shame, stigma, and hopelessness.” The editor called my piece “such a beautiful though heartbreaking portrayal of family.” This essay was part of my winning portfolio for Creative Sonoma’s 2019 Discovered Awards for Emerging Literary Artists.
Here’s what the lead juror wrote for the exhibition catalog:
“Nicole R. Zimmerman’s essays are infused with love, tenderness and a very sharp eye. She writes about her family, and in telling their stories, captures their world, their era, and her own deep connection to each relative. In this powerful essay, she writes about her challenging brother, who lives a life so unlike her own, and yet, she’s able to find compassion for him.”
acceptance & rejection
“The Nature of Beginnings” was accepted for publication by Under the Gum Tree, forthcoming in October. The travel essay will appear in the ‘For Those Who Wander’ section. This Sacramento-based, reader supported, quarterly literary arts magazine publishes creative nonfiction and visual art in the form of a micro-magazine. It’s lovely and I’m thrilled!
I applied for a 2-week residency in November via the nonprofit Writing By Writers, selected by founder Pam Houston. With 52 applicants and only four cottages available between Mill House and Light Cap Farm, my writing sample and statement of intent didn’t make the cut. In addition, a revised first page of “Double Life” was not selected for the longlist of Retreat West’s Best Opening Page Competition. (The winner receives a writing retreat at Casa Ana in Granada, Spain!)
“Love, Unconditional” was declined by the California Writers Club 2020 Literary Review. I plan to resubmit it in October to Snapdragon: A Journal of Art & Healing.
“Taking Root” was declined by PANK for the Jewish Diaspora folio, which received “so many amazing and heart-felt dedications to the Jewish community and experience.” Check out the issue online soon! Proceeds from submission fees will be donated to The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank on Yom Kippur, in honor of the victims of the Tree of Life shooting.
Another silver lining was editor Jessica Fischoff’s encouraging rejection letter:
“We were overwhelmed with the quality of work we received, yours amongst them. While this particular work wasn't quite what we're looking for, we were impressed by your writing and voice. We would love to see more work in the future…”
submit to indie lit
Join Lise Quintana during a monthly meeting of Redwood Writers: Saturday, Sept. 19 at 1–2:30pm (PDT). Learn how to find the right literary journal for your work, and how to maximize your chances for success using a submission management program. Register here.
in cahoots residency: applications
In Cahoots residency applications for writers and artists are open for Summer and Fall 2021. There are now 10 full and partial grants available, thanks to auction proceeds and generous contributions. Please see the website for the calendar of available dates (July to December 2021), grant information, and the application form. Deadline is October 1. I highly recommend this residency (including the writing cabin, pictured here), run by Macy Chadwick in Petaluma.
writer’s toolbox: scrivener
Scrivener is ideal for organizing a writing project, but it’s not the easiest program to navigate. Last week I took a 2-hour workshop with Janine Kovac to get reacquainted with Scrivener’s tools, including labels, statuses, corkboards, index cards, keywords, and collections. Now I’m successfully using it again to organize a lengthy manuscript. In an upcoming workshop she’ll cover distraction-free modes, techniques for monitoring revisions, outliner settings to track progress and more. Scrivener Secrets, October 3, 2020, 11am–1pm (PDT). Early Bird offer: $55 After September 26: $75. Email janine@janinekovac.com to sign up!
“antiracist baby” & other books
On a rare venture outside the confines of my home ground, I recently stepped foot inside Hello Penngrove, a local store selling home, gift and baby/kids stuff. While I was buying a card for a little friend’s first birthday, the co-owner of nearby Penngrove Market stopped in to borrow White Fragility from the shop’s antiracist lending library. I’ll borrow an extra copy now that I finished Hood Feminism and The Inner Work of Racial Justice, which I plan to donate. They’ve also got a great display of social justice kids’ books, featured below.
art to soothe the covid blues
Soothe your soul with “COVID Blues,” an art series inspired by Picasso’s Blue Period. Ruby Silvious has used found materials around the house and yard as her canvases during the coronavirus pandemic. See a snack bag folded into a paper shoe (“Self-isolation”); houses painted on wine corks (“Shelter-in-Place”); cranes folded from junk mail (“Hunkered Down”); and cut images of frontline workers on color paint chips (“Six Feet Apart”).
closed: shut up & write!™
After one and half years volunteering as a local Organizer to host weekly sessions via Shut Up & Write!™ I’ve concluded my Tuesday morning Meetups. This international non-profit organization has thousands of writers joining from more than 311 cities in 50 countries, including 333 members of Shut Up & Write!® Wine Country. It has been wonderful writing together for one hour and sharing camaraderie, community, and accountability. In the words of one writer who consistently attended on Zoom while sheltering-in-place:
“I am extremely grateful for you hosting this group and creating this space for all of us to write! I truly believe that your energy was what made it so special. Thank you for all of your support and encouragement.”
Interested in becoming an Organizer? Anyone can volunteer!
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