Many of you have known or worked with editor Deborah Brodie. She passed away on June 27 after a battle with cancer.
Read the Publisher’s Weekly obituary>>>
Advertisements
The Whole Megillah- Author’s Notebook | Irving Berlin by Nancy ChurninIrving Berlin: The Immigrant Boy Who Made America Sing by Nancy Churnin, illustrated by James Rey Sanchez (Creston Books, 2018) The Whole Megillah (TWM): What prompted you to write about Irving Berlin? Nancy Churnin (NC): I love Irving Berlin’s music … Continue reading →Barbara Krasner
- Author’s Notebook | 9 Tips on Writing Memoir–A Conversation with Lisa RomeoThe Whole Megillah caught up with busy author and teacher Lisa Romeo last month at a coffee shop in northern New Jersey. I asked her for her top tips in writing memoir. Here are the results of our conversation, fresh … Continue reading →Barbara Krasner
- Author’s Notebook | When History Is Personal by Mimi SchwartzThe Whole Megillah (TWM): What has led you to write memoir? What are the greatest challenges and the greatest satisfactions? Mimi Schwartz (MS): I had been writing fiction and poetry until we spent a year in Israel in 1972-73. There I … Continue reading →Barbara Krasner
- On My Night Stand | The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie KondoYes, I know this is not a craft book or a work of literature, and there’s no Jewish content here. But I present these two books here in the interest of spring cleaning and renewal. I’d heard about Marie Kondo … Continue reading →Barbara Krasner
- Author’s Notebook | When We Were Shadows by Janet WeesThe Whole Megillah (TWM): What prompted you to write this book? Janet Wees (JW): When I visited the memorial site of The Hidden Village in the mid-2000s, it affected me more than other sites I’d seen; it gave me a … Continue reading →Barbara Krasner
- On My Night Stand | The Seven by Ellen FriedmanI attended a session at the Princeton Public Library three weeks ago about writing the memories of others. The speaker, professor and memoirist Ellen G. Friedman, shared her family’s story: seven of her family members escaped east into the Soviet … Continue reading →Barbara Krasner
- Literary Offerings into the World | March 2018 ReportPoetry: 8 submissions (American Poetry Review, Redivider, Bodega, Bateau, Comstock Review, Agni, Salt Hill Journal, Lunch Ticket). 0 acceptances. 1 rejection (Rappahannock Review). I gave two poetry readings from Chicken Fat this month: Somerset Poetry Group at the Bridgewater Library … Continue reading →Barbara Krasner
- Two Seats Left! Mining Your Memories on the PageTwo seats remain in the April online memoir class. Claim your place now! In November 2011, I drafted a genealogical memoir, piecing together 20 years of research conducted in cramped libraries, intimidating archives, and through the efforts of hired researchers … Continue reading →Barbara Krasner
- On My Night Stand | A Primer for Poets and Readers of Poetry by Gregory OrrEvery now and then I like to indulge in a good craft book. I am a fan of Gregory Orr’s poetry and saw this book advertised in the latest issue of The Writer’s Chronicle. It’s targeted toward young poets—a population … Continue reading →Barbara Krasner
- March 2018 Jewish Book CarnivalThe Whole Megillah is pleased to once again host the monthly Jewish Book Carnival! Here are this month’s links: Chava Pinchuck spoke with Yael Levy about romance novels and social commentary. Over on My Machberet, Erika Dreifus routinely curates pre-Shabbat Jewish-lit links. Here’s … Continue reading →Barbara Krasner
- Author’s Notebook | Irving Berlin by Nancy Churnin
Advertisements
I cannot express how kind Deborah was to me. She reached out and expected nothing in return. She sent me writing exercises, asked me what I really wanted to do in my work (she was sure I could write a novel, and was determined to help me figure out what it was)…she was just so all-around encouraging and supportive and funny. At shiva people laughed about her sharp tongue, but I only got it once — when I accidentally called her Deb.
Hamakom Yinachem.
Deborah was the first professional editor to pull me out of a slush pile and declare I had a voice, and from that day on, became a person I could count on for a clean response, with honest encouragement. Her course at the New School, which I took early in my career, relieved us all of our self-consciousness. In her classroom, contrary to her editorial reputation, we all could fall flat on our faces, and pierce the boundaries which had held us back.
What a loss to the children’s book world, especially at a time when a voice for quality and authenticy is so sorely needed. I didn’t know Deborah well but thought of her as a kindred soul. Baruch dayan ha emet.