I've been away on writing retreat, working on my manuscript of interconnected stories. Drawing ever closer to calling it finished. I've just sent it off to two trusted readers, and as the saying goes, await their reply. (A phrase that also resonates for me as it's the title of Dan Chaon's wonderful novel.)

Meanwhile, my book review of Garrett Socol's Gathered Here Together is available for your reading pleasure at Prick of the Spindle lit journal.

Coming up: my first newsletter, the opening of North Bay Writers Groups workshops, and two readings in the East Bay. Stay tuned!

As if I weren't already proud to have my story "Project" in Annalemma's summer 2011 issue, (interview with editor Chris Heavener here), turns out Annalemma has been listed as one of the NYT Time Magazine top ten lit mags. Very cool. Congratulations to Chris Heavener for all the hard work he puts into making this a quality publication.

Excited to learn my story IOUs has been accepted for publication in The Los Angeles Review. This is print, coming out sometime in early 2012.

In other news, I've been away on writing retreat with four other writing comrades. We spent the days writing; evenings cooking/eating delicious foods and reading to one another our work, discussing writing & craft issues and books, playlists, etc and so on. Way too short a week+. My novel-told-in-stories manuscript is shaping up and currently pleasing me.

Sept. 10, 3 PM.

From the webpage:

Ever attended a reading and wish you'd heard from the authors about how and why they practice their craft? Or ever listen to an interview and wish the author had done a reading too? Now you can have your literary cake and eat it too! Come to "Inside the Writer's Studio" on Sep. 10 and hear three renowned Bay Area writers share their work and talk about their artistic approach. And there will be food! Readings followed by interviews conducted by Marcus Banks with Allison Landa, Tanya Egan Gibson, and Peg Alford Pursell.

Peri's Silver Dollar Bar
29 Broadway
Fairfax, CA

Come on out. Food, even? I'll read the Pushcart-nominated "Project"* printed in Annalemma Magazine.

*Note: there is NSFW art at this link.

Exciting news today. My first Pushcart nomination for "Project" published in Annalemma Magazine. Wow, so grateful to Christopher Heavener, who also interviewed me this week for Annalemma's blog. We talked about writing retreats, the SF lit scene, writing about relationships. Check it out!

In which I review a book for Prick of the Spindle. Dogzplot Flash Fiction 200 Words or Less 2011.

Not exactly about Parcheesi, my story "Game Night" at Fiction365. I love this publication. (The genius of Benjamin Wachs.) Really happy they ran the story.

A beautiful Friday afternoon on the bay  -- where Otis Redding created his "By the Dock of the Bay." The riches of my new home. Not a game. But a night.

Just heard my story "Project" will be in the forthcoming print issue of Annalemma's Creation issue. Really happy about this.

A little about the issue:
 "we’re looking for mainly nonfiction for this issue. Something we are very interested in reading about: people making things. I love watching it, I love learning the process. Doesn’t matter what it is, motorbikes to Motorola’s, compost to complex algorithms, if you can explain how something is made in an interesting way then you’ve got my attention. If you can weave it into a narrative, even better. If you can weave it into context that defines who we are as human beings and where we’re headed as a species then you’ve probably got an award winning piece of writing on your hands. There will be a one or two slots open for fiction submissions so competition will be very tight." (My emphasis.)

The magazine is having a subscription drive. You might like to get it, or get one or two for gifts. Here's another reason why:

“In just a few issues, Annalemma has established itself at the forefront of both progressive literature and innovation in print and web design. Few magazines ever combine textual and visual content of this caliber in a single issue, and even fewer are as dissatisfied to rest on their past successes. As striking to look at it as it is to read, Annalemma is among the most exciting literary journals I read, and I fully expect it to continue to find new ways to surprise and delight its readers.”

-       Matt Bell, author of How They Were Found (Keyhole).

Her Royal Majesty Issue Ten -- "Landscape" arrived in the mail today, with my story "A Morning on the Beach." What a gorgeous journal. Bonuses: 1) a graffiti stencil from Mia Funk and 2) Funk watercolor. Another bonus, side-by-side French and English versions for those of us who don't know French.

Love seeing your work in a beautiful publication? Her Royal Majesty is for you.

Thoughtful review of The Fabulist, where I had three stories published. Turns out I know this reviewer, the very thoughtful and talented writer Olga Zilberbourg.