I have an unbelievable story to tell you. One day, an editor found me on Facebook then published one of my essays in her literary magazine, Unshod Quills. This story lacks verisimilitude, and yet it’s truly true. Dena Rash Guzman and Laurel Hermanson, delicious writer-friends I’ve never met, made it so.
My god, click through and see this voluptuous magazine! I’m biting my lips and squirming in my seat. I feel like hot jell-o on springs.
“How do you read poetry? Do you read like a child at the breast? Nurture and nature and mama’s eyes? In big, life-sustaining gulps like a too tired woman thirsty only for water? In demure sips that leave your lips burning like too much salt? Or furtively, sneaking a poem in like a long draught from a bottle in a brown paper bag? Do you look up from the screen, the book, or the magazine–the poem standing in your mind–with an envious heart, or one of wonder? Are you reading poetry at all? Or writing it? If not, why not? What the hell are you doing?”
—Wendy G. Ellis
Unshod Quills,
Unshod Quills,
Unshod Quills,
Unshod Quills,
Unshod Quills,
!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What the hell are you doing? Tell me something unbelievable.
This is wonderful, Anna! Congratulations!!!
Thanks, Averil! I’m allowing myself one day of unfettered happiness.
Fantastic, Anna!
Thanks, Karen!
Your writing makes me happy. Knowing Dena makes me happy. You and Dena and Unshod Quills all together? Ecstatic. Brava, Anna. xo
Never would’ve happened without you Laurel. Thankyouthankyouthankyou!
how very cool. even that picture fits your writing. (i thought it was yours until i clicked through to the journal’s website.) congrats.
It is a fabulous cover, isn’t it? Casey Weldon, who has a solo show, Meow Brow, at Spoke Art in San Francisco September 7th. http://www.caseyweldon.com
Congrats!
Thanks, Juniper.
Excellent! Congratulations.
Thanks, Joe.
whoopee - great news !!
I know! And all that poetry is making me swoon.
Right on bro!!!
See, it’s not just us groupies here that think you write good!
No, I’m not reading/writing poetry… the hell? Ok, whatever, here’s try…
Buy my shit-
Miser toad
My kid is hungry
I recommend everyone write poetry once in awhile. It changes your brain. Wait- Did you just call me bro?
Ya know, bro like… friend. I’m pretty clear on your gender… d’ang!
Want some more salesman haiku? …I’ll take your deafening silence as a clamorous yes:
I know sir, times are tough-
Slummin’ poolside
’67 Ferrari
Five percent of nothing-
Cold lunch
Can of air
Hand on doorknob-
Happy grinder
You found the bottom
Buyers are friends
Just like me
And liars
My pen or yours-
Fire on the table
Minds change, run, run
Excellent, dude. I especially liked the can of air. I can see you at a fake wood desk somewhere, writing haiku on the backs of old receipts. Is that a poster on the wall behind your desk? A flying eagle or a galloping horse floating over a motivational quote?
what a charmed life you lead … so happy for you
I submit up the wazoo and get nothing. The only way I ever find my way to print is via facebook serendipity. WTF?
lol … maybe I should try facebook too
It’s so funny to me how a person can do all this marketing work and spend all this money, and then it’s these little encounters in life that end up being so much more valuable.I’m very happy for you, of course, but not one whit surprised. After all, we’ve read your writing. We know it should be out there.
I have a sneaking suspicion that, along with all the other shake-ups in publishing, the whole obsolete, tortuous method of submissions will soon be completely overhauled. Good riddance to the slush pile I say. I would line up to spit on the slush pile’s grave.
Wonderful, Anna! :)
Thanks, Alarna! xoox
That is terrific, Anna. It had to happen. May it be just the beginning!
Thanks Mike!
Congratulations Anna! This is fantastic news!!! (and now I’m off to click on the link ….)
I’m excited about your presentation with Joe, Teri. I so wish I could be there!
Good for you! A bit of well-deserved attention! I love to see “my peeps” enjoying success.
A little goes a long way, right? Thank you!
Crikey! How did I miss this when you posted it?
It is, of course, not at all surprising. Your essays are wonderful, and it was only a matter of time. No doubt, this is just the first of many.
Well done Anna. You deserve this, you earned it, and everyone who reads it is lucky you made it.
To you!
that picture is so bizarre
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