Hi, all! This is going to be a short newsletter. Mostly, I want to send out a quick note about things I have coming up.
First up: the paperback edition of my novel, The Boy with a Bird in His Chest, is up for preorder now. (I approved all the copy for the cover yesterday!) If you’ve been waiting for the novel to be out in paperback form, now’s your chance. It’s out January 3rd and can be preordered here. The paperback will include a bookclub guide in the back with discussion questions and an interview with me. Great for carrying around in your purse! The perfect holiday gift! Good for using as a loaner copy so your first edition hardcover stays pristine! I’ll have more info on events near the launch date once they’ve been nailed down.
Second up: I’m super excited to be teaching a craft intensive with Tin House on November 12th. The class is called “Every Action is a Spell: Finding the Magic in our Stories.” It’ll be virtual so you can tune in from anywhere. You can register here.
From the course description: “If we could talk to trees, tap into their roots and fungal networks, what would they say? A caterpillar dissolves until it is entirely liquid and then it puts itself back together as a butterfly. A fairy has flitted around the room and landed atop my wrist before zooming out the window.
In this class, we will learn to develop the skills necessary to see the magic that exists in our world. We’ll do a generative writing exercise. Then, we’ll study a few stories e.g. Kelly Link, Borges, maybe even Gogol. Then we’ll do a spell. Our eyes will be opened to the magic in the (virtual) room, and we will capture it on the page. Part generative writing session, part craft course, part magic spell, this class seeks to undo the ways capitalism and colonialism has closed us off from the magical realm. Bring some tea, a candle, and an open mind.”
And lastly: I’m super excited to be the new regular host for One-Page Wednesday a monthly event at Literary Arts in Portland. One-Page Wednesday has been an integral part of the literary community for years, so I’m super excited to be taking over hosting duties. On the first Wednesday of every month we have a featured reader and then audience members are invited to share a page of work with the crowd. It’s always so much fun. You should come! Bring a page to share or simply sit in the audience and enjoy the reading.
There will be one tonight (Oct. 5th) at 7:00pm and Cosima Bee Concordia is our featured reader! Literary Arts is located in downtown Portland at 925 SW Washington Street.
That’s it for now. All the love! <3