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>>>
The Whole Megillah- Determining the Level of Your Literary Writing | Literary Submission StrategiesOne of my poems, “Elegy to Aunt Jo,” was accepted today by Rose Red Review. The editor asked for an updated bio and I took that as an opportunity to use Duotrope, a subscription-based literary (and academic) journal database, to … Continue reading →Barbara Krasner
- Take Your Instincts Seriously | A Success StoryYears ago when I was director of corporate branding for the fledgling but sizable Lucent Technologies, I learned the value of honoring the inkling of an idea. When I had the flash of an idea, I recognized it and took … Continue reading →Barbara Krasner
- Selected Seats Still Available | The Whole Megillah Online Writing ClassesThe Fiction I class has been so successful that The Whole Megillah is excited to announce several new classes. Please note that Creative Nonfiction begins September 10: The Whole Megillah Writing Circle Receive exclusively Jewish prompts weekly for six weeks … Continue reading →Barbara Krasner
- In the Spirit of Poetry Has Value | August 2016 ReportAugust was more about scheduling and prepping for the fall semester than it was generating and sending out my own creative work with two exceptions: I participated in a four-day Highlights Foundation Unworkshop and completed the first draft of my … Continue reading →Barbara Krasner
- 2016 March of the Living | An Interview with Participant, Author Kathy KacerThe Whole Megillah (TWM): How did you first get involved with the March of the Living? Kathy Kacer (KK): I had thought about going on the March of the Living for years, but kept putting it off. Perhaps it is … Continue reading →Barbara Krasner
- Author’s Notebook | Richard Michelson, Author of Fascinating: The Life of Leonard NimoyFascinating: The Life of Leonard Nimoy Written by Richard Michelson and illustrated by Edel Rodriguez Knopf Books for Young Readers, 40 pages, 2016 The Whole Megillah (TWM): Since you had a personal relationship with Leonard Nimoy, were there differences in … Continue reading →Barbara Krasner
- Author’s Notebook | Meryl G. Gordon, The Flower Girl Wore CeleryDebut children’s book author Meryl G. Gordon speaks with The Whole Megillah about her picture book, The Flower Girl Wore Celery, published by Kar-Ben. The Whole Megillah (TWM): What was your inspiration for this story? Meryl G. Gordon (MG): When my … Continue reading →Barbara Krasner
- New Online Writing Classes from The Whole MegillahThe Fiction I class has been so successful that The Whole Megillah is excited to announce several new classes: The Whole Megillah Writing Circle Receive exclusively Jewish prompts weekly for six weeks and post your writing using these prompts to … Continue reading →Barbara Krasner
- Author’s Notebook | Nancy Davidoff Kelton, Finding Mr. RightsteinThe Whole Megillah (TWM): What inspired you to write this book and this book now? Nancy Davidoff Kelton (NDK): In 2005, I wrote an essay about my mother, her illness, and my relationship with her that was published as a “Lives” … Continue reading →Barbara Krasner
- In the Spirit of Poetry Has Value | July 2016 ReportJuly was pretty much a bust that has me wondering whether I should be writing at all. A friend says the summer’s lack of structure is not helping and that I’ll feel more like myself once the semester starts. We’ll … Continue reading →Barbara Krasner
- Determining the Level of Your Literary Writing | Literary Submission Strategies
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.