FIND THE PEARL

AND SWIM THROUGH EVERY CHANGE OF TIDE

Illustration: Anaïs Nin by Katy Horan.

This issue of the Fictator's Digest is organized a little differently than the others, because the announcements are too many to put in one compartment. Forgive me. My next issue will be a little less link-intense.

In the meantime, I wanted to announce that I'm actively seeking work as a proofreader, transcriber, and creative counselor. The latter sounds a little weird, but I've found there's a need. People mounting large creative writing projects, usually in the context of academic programs, sometimes seem to want a miscellaneous reader and advice-giver, someone more approachable than their professor or adviser who's read a lot of books and sat through a lot of workshops. I'm here to fill that need. I'm calling the position Dissertation Doula. Get in touch if you want my labor, or if someone you know does.

I've also opened an account with Ko-fi for microdonations. Those of you who already know this and have given to me, thank you for your generosity. Here's the link.

Book Reviews:

Kingdom of Women by Rosalie Morales Kearns. I deeply loved this book and I'm thrilled that VIDA published my review. Beautiful alignment of my ambition, the book, and the publication.
I Wrote This Book Because I Love You by Tim Kreider. Another Chicago Magazine published the review, which is, yes, mostly a fan letter.
The House of Erzulie by Kirsten Imani Kasai. Another book I really loved. The Adroit Journal published the review.
Daughters of the Air by Anca L. Szilagyi. I announced this in January when it appeared in the print issue of Locus, but in February the review went up online.

Interviews:

Natalie Singer (California Calling) on Proximity/TRUE. I was bowled over by her book and I greatly enjoyed our (over-email) conversation.
Samantha Irby (We Are Never Meeting in Real Life) for Books I Hate (and Also Some I Like). Due to Facebook comments and overlapping friendships, I have PROOF that, because of this interview, Roxane Gay has read words that I've written. Shriek.

Short Fiction, Essay, Flotsam:

"The First Snow" in Storm Cellar. There's a paywall, but for a PDF it's pretty low, and I really love this story. It's ooky.
"C-a-l-l-a-s" in Luna Station Quarterly. I wrote this story at least five years ago and probably closer to six. That's a long incubation period. I received the paper version of the magazine today and it's quite nice, if you're more into that than reading online. I don't get royalties that I'm aware of, but a well-designed book is a well-designed book.
"A Letter to My Anorexic Self" on Medium. What it says on the tin, but I slipped in some secret adult life lessons. I published this essay during #NEDAwareness week.
Victorian Spam installments. I have lost track of what I've announced, so go here and read what looks good to you.

Coming Soon (within the next month):

How to Get Unstuck workshop OVER THE INTERNET. Tune in from wherever. I will probably send a mini-newsletter announcing the date/deets for this.
Reviews in the Millions and the Guardian (!!!!).
Criticism in LARB, Cleaver, and probably Brevity.
Something risky in The Big Smoke. Maybe.