3rd Story Accepted in 2008

Today LB and I got a new care package that her Mom sent from Chicago. Inside there were some of the usual suspects:

Greenies for Zoe
Nurse Magazines for Erika
A copy of Vegetarian Times
Zyrtec
A mysterious letter from some lawyer
Rejections letters for me from: The New England Review, Washington Square, New Letters

But at the bottom of the stack--I always put the thickest envelopes at the bottom for the sake of build-up--was what every aspiring writer dreams about in his obscure literary career: a new acceptance letter, this one from Connecticut Review. Let me quote the exact page because it just feels so good to read it:

Dear Jackson,

On behalf of the Editorial Board of Connecticut Review, I am delighted to accept the work listed on the enclosed contract.

To help us prepare for the printer, please follow the directions for submitting an Electronic file of your work. The directions are attached. As soon as your Production Editor receives your work, she will begin processing it for publication . . .

I am very pleased to be publishing your fine work.

Sincerely,

M C-F


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So, I'm really happy about this. The amazing thing is I sent that manuscript almost exactly a year ago. I'd almost forgotten about it. Now I have to send the editor an email and tell her I'm in Buenos Aires.

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In related news, my lyrical essay "Piano Lessons" published in volume 10 of the South Loop Review is now in Chicagoland stores and in Columbia College's bookstore. Info about this issue can be found here.

1st Story Accepted in 2008

Yesterday, I just found out (officially) that a short lyrical essay I submitted to SOUTH LOOP REVIEW about my おばあさま(my grandmama) was accepted for its September issue. Holla!

The SLR is a rad (not to mention, pretty-looking) journal out of Columbia College Chicago offering creative non-fiction and photography. I'm so stoked. This is my first CNF piece to be accepted, and also, it will be nice that my peeps/family can buy something I've written at one of the Borders in Chicago.