Shame and Pain

Shame and Pain

The first time I lost control of my bowels, I was on the platform of the Number 6 train. I was twenty-six, and a cup of coffee I’d sipped led to stomach pain I can only classify as agonizing. Though I did everything I could to get up the subway steps and into a nearby… Read more »

April 2023 Leisure Learning: Friends, Foes, & Infamy

April 2023 Leisure Learning: Friends, Foes, & Infamy

Merry April, all! I hope that by the time you read this, you have gotten a chance to experience the luxury of reading outside. (Made even more luxurious, at times, through the magic of antihistamines.) This month’s column explores the spectrum of friends, enemies, frenemies, and simply odd relationships found within literature, both on and… Read more »

#5onFri: Five Ways to Get through a First Draft

#5onFri: Five Ways to Get through a First Draft

In the thirteen or so years that I’ve been in publishing, I’ve heard and seen it all. Working alongside #1 bestsellers and aspiring hopefuls, the similarities are a lot greater than one might expect—and the writing process isn’t too different, either. Whether you have a storied career, a collection of Creative Writing degrees, or you’re… Read more »

Become a Practicing Poet

Become a Practicing Poet

Are you a practicing poet? I’m guessing if you’re reading this article, you’d love to be. But. But. The BIG BUT.  So many buts. There are bills to pay, mouths to feed, and a Starbucks/Amazon addiction to indulge in.  Well, do not despair. I have good news for you, my friend. You don’t have to… Read more »