I have a new poem up at Cagibi! It’s called “I’ve never written fiction set in a psych ward.” I know I’ve talked about taking a break from mental illness as a topic, and I have been working on some new stuff that explores other themes, but I wrote this poem awhile back and frankly, … More New Poem: “I’ve never written fiction set in a psych ward”
Issue 3 of Waxing and Waning is up! It contains a story I wrote called Won’t You Go My Way? It’s about sorrow and siblings and mental illness and perseverance, but most importantly, it’s about cats.
So there’s this anthology out there called Vagabonds: Anthology of the Mad Ones, which collects art, poetry, and prose. Their latest issue, Volume 7 is out now, and it includes a piece of flash fiction I wrote! You can purchase a print copy or read a free PDF on their site. When I was writing “We … More New Story: “We All Return to the Water Some Day”
Here are a couple of poems I’ve written recently, which have been rejected by several publications. It’s entirely possible that they’re just not very good, but I still feel a kind of affection for them, the way you would love your kids even if they were funny-looking. Poetry is not usually my main thing, but … More Rejected Files: A Couple of Poems
Bridge Eight is an awesome literary journal that has recently switched to an online format. Today they posted a story that I wrote (and, to be honest, that I like a lot): I see the moon and the moon sees me. Fun facts about this story: The title is taken from an old children’s rhyme. I … More New Story: “I see the moon and the moon sees me”
Every writer goes through phases, right? Little quirks they get stuck on for awhile, or certain topics they chew on for several projects in a row. I’ve always written, but about five or six years ago, I started getting more ambitious and productive with my work. Not coincidentally, I was also getting effective therapy for … More Writing about Mental Illness
My latest crisis of faith is that I’m just not sure I have the fucking nerve to be a writer. It’s 3:30 AM. I woke up for no reason a couple of hours ago, then decided to take advantage of being awake to work on this story I’ve been poking at for months. I’m trying … More Writing Takes Some Gall
CutBank Literary Journal has an annual feature called “All Accounts and Mixtures,” which is devoted to showcasing writing from queer authors. This year they’ve been kind enough to include a short story I wrote called “Let’s Talk About the Forest.” I am very excited about this! It’s a story that’s pretty near and dear to me. … More New Story: “Let’s Talk About the Forest”
Zine Fest Houston is scheduled for November 11 at the Lawndale Art Center, and I have received confirmation that I will have a table there! I participated last year too, and it was incredibly fun. Also a bit intimidating, to be honest, because there were all these talent artists and writers who have their professional shit … More Zine Fest Houston!
So I have a hard time getting out and socializing, in the “multiple diagnosed anxiety disorders” sense. But I also care a lot about social and political issues, and I want to get involved in some of the important movements that are happening now. Conundrum! I wrote “Resistance for Introverts” for other people who may … More New Zine: “Resistance for Introverts”
Emma Atkinson 