My Chapbook Release Reading and Things to Look Forward To

I've been working on a memoir piece for several years now and finally sent it out to various presses. Not hearing back from them is frustrating, so I've been breaking the whole manuscript up into shorter pieces that are easier to read—quicker to get through. At the same time, I've been sending out to some first-book poetry contests. These are equally frustrating, since my chances of winning anything, given the thousands of manuscripts these presses receive, must be next to zero. But my friend and fellow writer, Rachel, says it is something we must do as writers. I believe her.

However, there is the matter of making a living. I have been writing for The Tribal College Journal, which is quarterly, and SACNAS News, which is only twice a year, and just recently, I was hired by an online writing site that takes academic papers that I write for college kids. The students then are supposed to use the paper as an EXAMPLE of what is needed in their own paper. But, I often wonder, as I'm writing these papers, if they actually just take them and stamp on their own names. Not that I really care. They are simple themes: Why do the characters in “The Lottery” continue to practice a ritual in which they no longer believe? Examine the use of symbolism and imagery in writing by T.S. Eliot, Toni Cades Bambara, Galway Kinnell, and Yeats. And my favorite (ha!): Debate: "I almost think it is the ultimate destiny of Science to exterminate the human race." –Thomas Love Peacock

By writing these simple papers in MLA format, I am preparing for my first grad class that starts in May—Graduate Research. It's how the citations are arranged that sometimes still confuse me. I was very happy to learn that I can forego the multiculturalism class. It's not that I would find that particular class boring, it's just that I don't think I NEED it. My years of work and volunteer service fulfilled that component. I love my advisor, Martin McGovern, and am looking forward to learning from Harrison Fletcher, who I understand also teaches at Lighthouse. My friend Martin Balgach told me he was a great writer and wonderful teacher.

I am headed to Moab next week, for a much-needed desert reprieve. I can't wait to wake at 5:30, climb up on the slickrocks above camp with coffee cup in hand, and watch the sun rising slowly and steadily across each ridge, spreading out with colors that take my breath away. I also have a good bike that finally fits me. Doesn't have dual suspension, only the front, but it FITS me!! I am borrowing it from my girlfriend's step-daughter. We took it on a test ride around North Boulder Ranch yesterday.

In June, I am headed to my sister's place in NJ for a gigantic reunion with the McGees (my mom's southern side), and the Bishops (my father's side and all my siblings). Hopefully, the Bishops from England will make it out like they did at our last reunion which took place in Georgia, where my mother is from and where my oldest sister and I were born. This reunion will celebrate the graduation of my nephew, Jonathan, from high school and his entrance into Ithaca College, and the celebration of my dad's 80th birthday!

On a last note: Please attend my chapbook release reading at the Denver Women's Press Club on March 27, at 2 pm. I will be reading from my chapbook, along with Anita Jepson-Gilbert, who will also be reading from her new chapbook. I will have copies of my book there.