The Spring 2010 issue of Bi Women includes a review of Map by Lara Zielinsky (who describes the book as "very relevant" and "extremely readable") as well as an interview with me. You can download the complete issue in PDF and find me on pages 14-15. SPOILER ALERT: the review does give away a major plot point, so you might want to read the book first.
Map is mentioned and its cover featured in an Examiner.com article on Bisexual Books of 2009 (a "banner year for bisexual books," according to author Sheela Lambert).
Also, the finalists for the 2010 Lambda Literary Awards will be announced during the week of March 15th... keep your fingers crossed for me! Map has been submitted for two categories, Bisexual Nonfiction and Lesbian Memoir/Autobiography.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Thursday, March 4, 2010
True Colors Panel - Writing Out of Bounds - March 12th
A week from Friday, on March 12th 2010, from 10:30 - 11:45am, I will appear on a panel I've organized for the True Colors Annual Conference at UConn in Storrs CT called Writing Out of Bounds: The Collision of Storytelling, Queer Activism, Exposure, and Truth-Seeking. A brief description:
How do you use the written word to make a difference in the world? How do you move from great idea to published work? What is it like to put yourself "out there"? What happens when activism and the creative process are at odds? In this panel discussion, authors, editors and publishers will speak about their own experiences and offer up ideas and models that creative and activist folk of all stripes can apply to their own lives.
My fellow panelists will be Robyn Ochs, a long-time activist and the editor of the anthology Getting Bi: Voices of Bisexuals Around the World; Dan Woog, a journalist, nationally syndicated GLBT sports columnist, and author of 13 books including Jocks and Jocks 2: True Stories of America's Gay Male Athletes; and Nicole Scrivano, an undergraduate Human Development and Family Studies major at UConn and editor of the UConn Rainbow Center newsletter The Pink Tongue.
A complete conference guide can be downloaded here. I'm looking forward to the discussion, and I hope to see some of you there!
How do you use the written word to make a difference in the world? How do you move from great idea to published work? What is it like to put yourself "out there"? What happens when activism and the creative process are at odds? In this panel discussion, authors, editors and publishers will speak about their own experiences and offer up ideas and models that creative and activist folk of all stripes can apply to their own lives.
My fellow panelists will be Robyn Ochs, a long-time activist and the editor of the anthology Getting Bi: Voices of Bisexuals Around the World; Dan Woog, a journalist, nationally syndicated GLBT sports columnist, and author of 13 books including Jocks and Jocks 2: True Stories of America's Gay Male Athletes; and Nicole Scrivano, an undergraduate Human Development and Family Studies major at UConn and editor of the UConn Rainbow Center newsletter The Pink Tongue.
A complete conference guide can be downloaded here. I'm looking forward to the discussion, and I hope to see some of you there!
Friday, February 5, 2010
Writer's Life Panel on Self-Publishing
Every spring the Cambridge Center for Adult Education and the National Writers Union collaborate on a series of "Writer's Life" panels, and this year I am excited to be part of one called Self-Publishing: Why and How To Do It on Wednesday, April 21st 2010, 8:00-10:00pm, with fellow panelists Judah Leblang and Li Mo:
These days, with the world of traditional publishing in flux, many writers are deciding to self-publish their books. Come hear the stories of three authors who recently did it and what they learned.
Learn more or sign up online at ccae.org -- course code WA21–01. The event itself is $6, so for only $20 you can sign up AND walk away from the evening with a signed copy of my book!
(Note for the non-committal: events in the Writer's Life series often--but not always--sell out in advance.)
These days, with the world of traditional publishing in flux, many writers are deciding to self-publish their books. Come hear the stories of three authors who recently did it and what they learned.
Learn more or sign up online at ccae.org -- course code WA21–01. The event itself is $6, so for only $20 you can sign up AND walk away from the evening with a signed copy of my book!
(Note for the non-committal: events in the Writer's Life series often--but not always--sell out in advance.)
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Awesomeness
Last night I led a "Telling Your Story" workshop at NAGLY, the North Shore Alliance of GLBT Youth. I drove up and back with a friend who is one of the group's advisors, and I have to say I am rather envious that she gets paid to hang out with these folks on a regular basis. I want a job like that!
I was a little shy and awkward before the meeting actually got started, grateful for the folks who were more forward about coming over and introducing themselves, as well as the ones who reflected my shyness. I remembered again what it was like to be in high school and in new spaces; the difference now is that when I'm standing there a little apart listening to bits and pieces of different conversations and watching people moving around, I'm comfortable with that, I recognize it as one of my natural ways of being. (In high school, it took a camera around my neck to justify that role.) And I also found myself fascinated: who are each of these people? what goes on in their heads? Lucky me: I got to ask.
But before that, I was able to witness: someone noticing the copies of Map on the table, picking one up, starting to read, pulling her friend over and pointing out a passage, the two of them reading together, flipping to another page, and another, and another. I think I heard the words "this is adorable" somewhere. And later, during the Q&A, "can you read aloud the first paragraph of the chapter Under the Covers?" I'm still aglow.
So, the meeting/workshop itself. We began with check-in (name, age, preferred pronoun, how your week's been), then me. I talked a little bit about Map and how it came to be. I read a little bit from the book. I'd originally planned to do Q&A at that point, but a combination of instinct and fumbling and recovery brought us to a slightly different order. I gave everyone a prompt based on the section of Map I'd just read, and we passed out paper and pens and markers and set up tables and everyone had a chance to write or draw or hieroglyphic in response. Then a short break. Some folks were talking to each other during the creation-time (they were also creating) and I was torn on whether or not to suggest silence (I didn't). Next time I give this workshop, I think I might incorporate a "let me know when you're done" symbol and call for a silence that allows for passing notes... since the needs for communicating and quiet both seemed to be present, and some creations took more time than others.
After the break came sharing. Such a range of stories and art, yet with overlapping themes as well. So nice to be in a group where people feel comfortable sharing, and especially to witness someone who is nervous and has a choice ultimately step forward and share something particularly difficult. At the same time, not absolutely everyone shared, and I think that's important too: sometimes it takes someone holding back to truly make the sharing a choice. I wished there was time to keep going--I imagine a follow-up exercise of writing and drawing in response to someone else's creation.
I had the idea that I might read another section of Map for my sharing, but then the questions started coming and once they started, hands were shooting up all over and the time just flew by until we were past time for check-out ("how was the meeting for you?"). There were some fabulous questions, all about writing and Map and the relationship itself and publishing. Then check-out, where I was so touched to hear the nice things people had to say about the experience. I stayed after and sold and signed a couple of books and chatted more while the room was magically cleaned up all around me (!) and then we headed back out into the night, filled with adrenaline and stories and a wonderful life-high.
To all of you who were part of this evening: thank you! and happy creating!
I was a little shy and awkward before the meeting actually got started, grateful for the folks who were more forward about coming over and introducing themselves, as well as the ones who reflected my shyness. I remembered again what it was like to be in high school and in new spaces; the difference now is that when I'm standing there a little apart listening to bits and pieces of different conversations and watching people moving around, I'm comfortable with that, I recognize it as one of my natural ways of being. (In high school, it took a camera around my neck to justify that role.) And I also found myself fascinated: who are each of these people? what goes on in their heads? Lucky me: I got to ask.
But before that, I was able to witness: someone noticing the copies of Map on the table, picking one up, starting to read, pulling her friend over and pointing out a passage, the two of them reading together, flipping to another page, and another, and another. I think I heard the words "this is adorable" somewhere. And later, during the Q&A, "can you read aloud the first paragraph of the chapter Under the Covers?" I'm still aglow.
So, the meeting/workshop itself. We began with check-in (name, age, preferred pronoun, how your week's been), then me. I talked a little bit about Map and how it came to be. I read a little bit from the book. I'd originally planned to do Q&A at that point, but a combination of instinct and fumbling and recovery brought us to a slightly different order. I gave everyone a prompt based on the section of Map I'd just read, and we passed out paper and pens and markers and set up tables and everyone had a chance to write or draw or hieroglyphic in response. Then a short break. Some folks were talking to each other during the creation-time (they were also creating) and I was torn on whether or not to suggest silence (I didn't). Next time I give this workshop, I think I might incorporate a "let me know when you're done" symbol and call for a silence that allows for passing notes... since the needs for communicating and quiet both seemed to be present, and some creations took more time than others.
After the break came sharing. Such a range of stories and art, yet with overlapping themes as well. So nice to be in a group where people feel comfortable sharing, and especially to witness someone who is nervous and has a choice ultimately step forward and share something particularly difficult. At the same time, not absolutely everyone shared, and I think that's important too: sometimes it takes someone holding back to truly make the sharing a choice. I wished there was time to keep going--I imagine a follow-up exercise of writing and drawing in response to someone else's creation.
I had the idea that I might read another section of Map for my sharing, but then the questions started coming and once they started, hands were shooting up all over and the time just flew by until we were past time for check-out ("how was the meeting for you?"). There were some fabulous questions, all about writing and Map and the relationship itself and publishing. Then check-out, where I was so touched to hear the nice things people had to say about the experience. I stayed after and sold and signed a couple of books and chatted more while the room was magically cleaned up all around me (!) and then we headed back out into the night, filled with adrenaline and stories and a wonderful life-high.
To all of you who were part of this evening: thank you! and happy creating!
Thursday, January 21, 2010
NAGLY Workshop - Tuesday January 26th
This coming Tuesday, January 26th 2010, from 7-9pm, I will be a guest at NAGLY, the North Shore Alliance of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Youth.
I will share a short excerpt from MAP and discuss my experience writing the book, then lead NAGLY members in a "telling your story" workshop where participants will be prompted to write and/or draw on a theme about something important to them (queer-related or otherwise) and optionally share their art with the group.
I am beyond excited, and maybe a little nervous too. I think that's a good thing; sharing something personal with newly-met strangers and asking them to look within and share in return is not an experience to take lightly. It's an exercise in trust and caring and faith and respect for the power of even fleeting human connection. Each time I teach, I try to remember this.
I will share a short excerpt from MAP and discuss my experience writing the book, then lead NAGLY members in a "telling your story" workshop where participants will be prompted to write and/or draw on a theme about something important to them (queer-related or otherwise) and optionally share their art with the group.
I am beyond excited, and maybe a little nervous too. I think that's a good thing; sharing something personal with newly-met strangers and asking them to look within and share in return is not an experience to take lightly. It's an exercise in trust and caring and faith and respect for the power of even fleeting human connection. Each time I teach, I try to remember this.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Year of Map
JVibe is holding a contest to give away a free copy of Map.
And I neglected to mention the review my friend Linda gave Map on her blog a while back.
But mostly, I am posting today to acknowledge the secular new year (Happy New Year!) and the culmination of a year devoted to finding this memoir a home in the world. There is something wonderful about the feeling of success, particularly when it comes to something you have cared about for so long and success means that other people are caring too.
In this coming year, I again resolve: creativity, connection, care of body. I continue to support Map in its journey, and I reach out to support others in their own journeys... through attending gatherings and conferences, offering myself up for workshops with many populations, encouraging others to tell their stories and find a way in. I also begin exploring the what next for me, from how to write anew to how I want to spend my days, rewardingly and sustainably. I continue to trust my heart, to witness, to let myself embrace what life unfolds.
If you'd like, share a bit here of what your life has brought this past year or what your intentions are for the next. No need to call them resolutions... I'm told dreaming is a welcoming word for some...
And I neglected to mention the review my friend Linda gave Map on her blog a while back.
But mostly, I am posting today to acknowledge the secular new year (Happy New Year!) and the culmination of a year devoted to finding this memoir a home in the world. There is something wonderful about the feeling of success, particularly when it comes to something you have cared about for so long and success means that other people are caring too.
In this coming year, I again resolve: creativity, connection, care of body. I continue to support Map in its journey, and I reach out to support others in their own journeys... through attending gatherings and conferences, offering myself up for workshops with many populations, encouraging others to tell their stories and find a way in. I also begin exploring the what next for me, from how to write anew to how I want to spend my days, rewardingly and sustainably. I continue to trust my heart, to witness, to let myself embrace what life unfolds.
If you'd like, share a bit here of what your life has brought this past year or what your intentions are for the next. No need to call them resolutions... I'm told dreaming is a welcoming word for some...
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Picking Up Speed
I was recently interviewed about Map for JVibe, a webzine for Jewish teens, by the delightful Chava Leiba Sneiderman. In Chava's own words, "This memoir touched my heart, opened my mind and broadened my perspective." Read the interview.
For those of you who like to stick to the tried-and-true when ordering online, the paperback edition of Map is now also available through Amazon.
And even if you got your hands on Map the old-fashioned ways, if you liked it, I'd be quite happy if you would post a review on Amazon saying so. (See, I can talk until I'm blue in the face about how wonderful this book is, but folks would believe it more if it came from you!)
All the cool kids are doing it... (eleven of them so far, to be exact)... you too can become a fan of Map on Facebook.
I hand-sold three books rather unexpectedly on Wednesday night... now I know why I've been carrying around four copies at all times! Thanks, new readers!
More buzz to come. Such a weird feeling still, wanting my book to be famous and me not to be. I think the word "irony" might come into play. And there is a part of me that likes the spotlight and wants more of it. Maybe if it could come with an on/off switch? (Hanukah Harry, are you listening?)
For those of you who like to stick to the tried-and-true when ordering online, the paperback edition of Map is now also available through Amazon.
And even if you got your hands on Map the old-fashioned ways, if you liked it, I'd be quite happy if you would post a review on Amazon saying so. (See, I can talk until I'm blue in the face about how wonderful this book is, but folks would believe it more if it came from you!)
All the cool kids are doing it... (eleven of them so far, to be exact)... you too can become a fan of Map on Facebook.
I hand-sold three books rather unexpectedly on Wednesday night... now I know why I've been carrying around four copies at all times! Thanks, new readers!
More buzz to come. Such a weird feeling still, wanting my book to be famous and me not to be. I think the word "irony" might come into play. And there is a part of me that likes the spotlight and wants more of it. Maybe if it could come with an on/off switch? (Hanukah Harry, are you listening?)
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