New Review of Who is Mary Sue in The Rumpus, New Poem in Scryptic, Poems set to Jazz, and the January Doldrums

Purple January Sunrise

January Doldrums, with Sunrise

How has your January been so far? I came down with a very-long lasting cold/virus and sprained my ankle, so I’ve been confined and resting…plus it’s rained nearly every day of the new year, which makes it tough to appreciate the gorgeous Pacific Northwest quite as much as usual (what the with driving cold wind and rain). A leak sprung up around our chimney after one of the windstorms, which somehow seemed symbolic. I’ve been able to read a little bit, write a little bit, but mostly I’ve been sleeping poorly, restlessly watching nature shows, and trying to make headway in the eight-ten books I’m reading. I’ve been researching publishers and vowing to do a better job this than last in sending out my book manuscripts (I have two now, a sixth and a seventh).  I have had some good things happen this week, which I thought I’d share – a new review, a new poem, and a poem set to jazz music.

“Angel”

New Poem, “Angel,” in the new issue of Scryptic, a magazine of alternative art

Thanks to Scryptic, who published a speculative poem of mine for the new year, “Angel,” in their latest issue. From the art to the lit pieces, it’s a bit of a rush to read. My poem’s on page 57 of the PDF, and here is a little preview to the left. The poem is called “Angel,” but it more science fiction than religion.

New Review of Sophie Collins’ Who Is Mary Sue in The Rumpus

Looking for something new to read in the new year that will challenge you and get you thinking? Check out my review in The Rumpus of Sophie Collins’ Who Is Mary Sue, a book that challenges the notion of female autobiography, the idea of authorship and authenticity, feminism and pop culture. I wasn’t familiar with Sophie Collins’ work when I picked this book up at local poetry bookstore Open Books, but she has a fascinating mind.

” Might every character who is female and empowered be termed by male fanboys a “Mary Sue” with some derision? Might every female character, indeed, be a “Mary Sue?” Whether we write about ourselves or others, women authors will always be accused of the sin of autobiography in a way that men typically are not.”

Poems Set to Music

I also had a suprise when a gentleman named James Gardner contacted me and asked me if he could set my poem, “Robot Scientist’s Daughter [medical wonder,]” to music on his web site, Poetry DNA. Check out the results! I’m kind of a jazz fan, so this tickled me.

Surviving the Dark Winter

So what are your survival tips for surviving the dark, cold winter months? January and February are my least favorite months to live around Seattle, it’s pitch black by 5 PM and the sun doesn’t really come all the way up…ever, plus the cold wind and rain mean you never really enjoy being outside. It’s cold and flu season so I’m not surprised I finally caught something, and this bug is a loooong one. I’ve reorganized my office, written a few poems and revised both my poetry manuscripts, but honestly, I’m restless, ready for a little springtime. (I know, we’re still a long way, but Seattle does start to have some camellia and cherry blooms sometimes as early as late February.) I’ve already started thinking about how to successfully approach AWP – I’ll be doing one offsite reading, and I’m planning to spend max time at the Bookfair saying hi to friends and checking out books and lit mags, my favorite part of the conference. My big goals were: getting more sleep, trying to do something fun once a week, and reaching out and socializing with more people, have all been rendered moot by this evil virus (waking up with early asthma attacks and tossing and turning with fever not conducive to more sleep, sadly, and you definitely don’t want to give this bug to anyone you like), but I hope to be getting better soon and back to my 2019 goals! I also made a playlist called “Survivor 2019” which includes this Sam Smith song from the Netflix series Watership Down, called “Fire on Fire.” Happy January!