aubrey

9 Writers Walk into a Bar…

…and one says to the other, “Hey, J. Bradley, you never interviewed me when I had a story in PANK. What gives?” We’re in the colorful lobby bar of the Marriott in DC, day 2 of AWP. In our little circle is a ton of amazing talent: J. Bradley, Nicelle Davis, Roxane Gay, xTx, DevanContinue reading “9 Writers Walk into a Bar…”

AWP

As you’ve probably noticed, there’s actually a law that says that if you went to AWP you HAVE to blog about it or they repo your domain name and use it to sell “growth enhancement products.” I thought about doing something fancy to make this post more interesting (like writing it without using the letterContinue reading “AWP”

Making Metaphor

First of all, very glad to even be able to type the word “metaphor” today. On Saturday, I poured a very full glass of water directly into the keyboard of my shiny new laptop. It was mostly fine, but not all of the keys recovered. I had to spend the next 24 hours using theContinue reading “Making Metaphor”

Shifting the Discussion

So, yes, there is a post missing from this blog. If you’ve been here recently, you know what I’m talking about: I read a story online that seemed very similar to one of my own, and expressed my feelings about the experience. I did not think (and still don’t) that I was out of lineContinue reading “Shifting the Discussion”

Writers’ Block and Self-Hypnosis

Because I live in the shadow of the eternal fear that I have nothing original to say, I did a quick Google search for “writing and self-hypnosis” before I wrote this post. I was surprised to find many, many web-sites hocking books and audio tapes and CDs, etc., all designed to help you use self-hypnosisContinue reading “Writers’ Block and Self-Hypnosis”

A Fiction Writer’s Guide to Poetry

I consider myself to be primarily a prose writer, but I have dabbled a bit in poetry. It’s fun. It’s short. And publishers can fit more of it on the same number of pages, so I’ve found it to be easier to market (not “easy,” just “easier”). Plus, it’s good to be versatile: Sometimes somethingContinue reading “A Fiction Writer’s Guide to Poetry”

Why Duotrope’s Digest is Ruining My Life

I mentioned this before, but I think it deserves a more thorough discussion. At first, I used Duotrope’s Digest as an easy way to find new markets for stories and the odd poem. (Just between us, I also used it for non-fiction. Shhhhh.) This was back in 2006 or so, when you could run aContinue reading “Why Duotrope’s Digest is Ruining My Life”

Dzanc Day! Dzig it!

I’m very happy to be co-leading a workshop for this year’s Dzanc Day, a day when writers, editors and teachers donate their time and talents to raise money for some of Dzanc Books‘ more charitable endeavors. These include the Dzanc Prize, which recognizes one writer annually for literary excellence and service to his or herContinue reading “Dzanc Day! Dzig it!”

Things I Like Around the Interwebs (plus, a new story)

My partner tells me there’s a better, more standard way to do this. He’s very interested in the OFFICIAL INTERNET. My learning curve is hurting his insides. HTML Giant. I already miss Mean Week. The PANK blog. When my students are clueless about where to send their work, I tell them to read the PANKContinue reading “Things I Like Around the Interwebs (plus, a new story)”

George Saunders Makes Me Brave

I read Saunders’ new story, “Escape from Spiderhead,” in The New Yorker over holiday break. I don’t subscribe to TNY, not because of the allegations of misogyny, but because I don’t always enjoy the fiction they choose. I also never get the cartoons. I don’t care what anyone says, they just aren’t funny. Luckily, youContinue reading “George Saunders Makes Me Brave”