In the Spirit of Poetry Has Value | June 2016 Report

Here are my June statistics:

Poetry: Sent to seven journals (Tiferet, Solstice, Hunger Mountain, Green Mountains Review, Ploughshares, Sugar House, Modern Poetry Quarterly Review), three acceptances (Tiferet, Naugatuck River Review, and Montclair Historical Society), five rejections (Poet Lore, Solstice, Pedestal, Bennington Review, Rattle Adjunct Contest). 

I wrote a poem, “Quilted,” in March/April at the Mature Poets Workshop led by Maria Mazziotti Gillan and Laura Boss. One of the other participants asked me for it. He was working with the Montclair Historical Society on a “quilt” theme. Apparently the poem was read while I was in Ohio (see below) and it will be published by the Society.

Short fiction: Update: My short story, “Red,” will appear in the Summer issue of Michigan Quarterly Review. The same story was rejected in June by Washington Square Review.

Creative nonfiction: No action here. But I just received my copy of Minerva Rising—my essay about my time at “fat camp” the summer before my Bat Mitzvah appears in the Body Image issue.

Other June activities: As a recipient of a fellowship, I spent the month at the American Jewish Archives in Cincinnati researching Emma Lazarus. The connection with other scholars prompted deeper inquiries and suggestions for additional exploration. I came away with tremendous insights, a deeper understanding of her place and time and am now exploring her intersectionality, especially her impact on reform liturgy.  I gave a research seminar, “Finding Emma Lazarus: A Historiographical Pursuit,” and I wrote two poems in Emma’s voice.

I also discovered at least four other potential subjects for picture books and short stories. I took advantage of Ohio culture, too. I was in Columbus one weekend to present, “Recovering Marginalized Voices of the Holocaust through Children’s Picture Books and Graphic Novels,” at the annual Children’s Literature Association conference, and while there, went to see “Singing in the Rain” at a historic theater. In Cincinnati, I wandered the galleries at the Cincinnati Art Museum and the Taft Museum of Art. marveling at the sheer talent of both local Ohio painters and those of international fame. (Okay, at night I also binge-watched Downton Abbey on Amazon Prime and saw three movies at the local independent theater.)

And since it’s now been announced, my poem “Grandma Ruth” received an Honorable Mention in the 2016 Allen Ginsberg Poetry Contest. I know it’s not first, second, or third prize, but it’s the highest my work has placed in this contest so far.