Well, Emma. I'll be teaching this till I croak: "But what I really loved was seeing how these two novelists wrote about their own work, and their process, and how they think in advance about their novels. It felt like looking at them in their underwear, sort of, in a beautiful, communal dressing room at a sample sale sort of way. Like, all bodies are weird, all bodies are beautiful, you know? There’s no wrong way."
Last night, after what seems like about a year of takeout, I made Hetty's Crispy Sheet-Pan Noodles With Glazed Tofu because you recommended it in your newsletter. And it was as good as you said it was. Just saying.
Yes! I write a lot of reference letters for students (I'm an English professor): students applying for M.A.s, Ph.D.s, M.F.A.s, scholarships, international travel, occasionally jobs. It's not a part of my job that contributes to promotions or accolades--and writing more of these letters does not mean doing less of anything else, which is why many folks complain about them (there's a whole structural problem with the way we do reference letters, too). BUT! HOWEVER! YET! There is something humbling and gratifying and good about getting to look over a student's work so far and to look at their statements of intention for the future (like your novelists' plans, maybe? just a little--lot--less confident and polished?) and to bear witness to it and put that into words. Thank you for reminding me in a busy season.
Your newsletter is our little ray of light. Thanks for sharing what moves you week to week. It is so nice to not know what to expect. Love the BINC donations too. Inspiring
Well, Emma. I'll be teaching this till I croak: "But what I really loved was seeing how these two novelists wrote about their own work, and their process, and how they think in advance about their novels. It felt like looking at them in their underwear, sort of, in a beautiful, communal dressing room at a sample sale sort of way. Like, all bodies are weird, all bodies are beautiful, you know? There’s no wrong way."
I love reading your Substack. Whatever you write, you do it with a smile - at least it seems that way to me.
Last night, after what seems like about a year of takeout, I made Hetty's Crispy Sheet-Pan Noodles With Glazed Tofu because you recommended it in your newsletter. And it was as good as you said it was. Just saying.
Yes! I write a lot of reference letters for students (I'm an English professor): students applying for M.A.s, Ph.D.s, M.F.A.s, scholarships, international travel, occasionally jobs. It's not a part of my job that contributes to promotions or accolades--and writing more of these letters does not mean doing less of anything else, which is why many folks complain about them (there's a whole structural problem with the way we do reference letters, too). BUT! HOWEVER! YET! There is something humbling and gratifying and good about getting to look over a student's work so far and to look at their statements of intention for the future (like your novelists' plans, maybe? just a little--lot--less confident and polished?) and to bear witness to it and put that into words. Thank you for reminding me in a busy season.
Your newsletter is our little ray of light. Thanks for sharing what moves you week to week. It is so nice to not know what to expect. Love the BINC donations too. Inspiring
I do a little clap when I see your newsletter come up. Thank you for sharing bits a pieces about the publishing world and the creative people in it
Congratulations on winning a Guggenheim. I'm so happy for you. Now you've inspired me to apply. <3 <3 <3
Thank you!!!!! xo
Congrats on the Guggenheim!
Not sure I have read you before, but enjoyed that