More than skin deep.
January 1, 1970
Okay, a moment to reflect on the last few months. I have been to Rio, Brazil, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, Denver, and Whidbey Island, where I teach in a low residency MFA Program. I came home just long enough between trips to wash my clothes and be interviewed on “Think Outloud,” a program of Oregon Public Radio. It was live! But is available on podcast at their site or mine. I haven’t had a chance yet to listen to what I said.
This week, I began as a student online in the fall semester of the University of New Orleans MFA program. I am thrilled to be studying with Joseph and Amanda Boyden. Next week, I begin teaching the fall semester online for the Whidbey program. We graduated five students last week, and they are wonderful writers. As I slipped a hood over Joe Ponepinto’s head, I realized that he now had a higher degree than I do, but I am working on that! We wish the graduates much success.
Seattle Noir, an anthology by Akashic Press, continues to have “legs,” and the editor, Curt Colbert, made an appearance at Eagle Harbor Books last night to lead a discussion with a mystery book club. I showed up long enough to bask. Curt hinted that there was the possibility of a sequel….
I also look forward to the publication of a short story in an anthology from Electrik Milk Bath for Dia de los muertos. My story is called “Skin Deep,” and a very short version of it called “The Spot” was featured on Weekend America, a program distributed on National Public Radio.
Los Norteños had a flash workshop last spring, in which I led the writers through discussions and exercises of prose writing, and this fall we hope to hold another in which Oliver de la Paz will teach prose poetry. This will be at the offices of The Raven Chronicles. Members of Los Norteños will be reading at the new, improved Seattle Bookfest slated for Columbia City this fall. Next spring, look for me in Tucson, Edinburg, Texas, and maybe Austin in February.
May your fall be busy, productive, and full of good fruits and vegetables! (I must be hungry, so let’s throw in some salmon, too.) I am putting together a reading list for The Contemporary Novel for spring semester, so I will post the final list, including the Mystery Book, as soon as it is ready.