Rejection 206

Or perhaps these are rejections 206 through 210, as I received a rejection for each poem.  I wonder if this makes it easier for Bateau to accept and reject or if it's more work and the readers scowl at the process.

Front Porch Issue 12

Gah.   Apparently, at some moment in time, Front Porch posted their new issue without telling me. Anyways, I have now read that issue and can only say the nicest things about new fiction from Sara Reish Desmond and Mickey Hess, and new poetry from  Mike Smith, Kim Groninga,  Dan Pinkerton and me, nonfiction from Kerry Muir. And those are just some highlights.  Jeez.  So much to find here.

Sorry for the delay.

Rejection 205

The Emerson Review says that I clearly know what I'm doing, but asked to see something a bit more straightforward.

I liked this rejection.  It feels like they said, "This was weird, and we trust you it's good, but we don't like it.  Send us something we'll like."

Will do, Doug Paul Case.

Rejection 204

Am I failing better?  Who knows?

I am indeed failing again though.  Failbetter dun't want my poems.

They're such good ones! For real.  I've been sending out this batch for almost a year.  I think they're the best ones.  I feel the same about a story that's been in rotation since June.  This is interesting.  The things I like best, no one else likes. I'm not really frustrated.  I'm a little surprised, but really I'm just curious.

Hrm.

Rejection? Encouragement? I don't know. But it helped me a lot.

Know who's the best?  Ellen Parker at Frigg.

Rejection Post Withdrawal and a Check-In

The Pinch doesn't want a story I already told them they can't have.

The Emerson Review sent me a note saying the submission I made a month ago would be read in the next few weeks. To which I say what I always say to those notes: spend your time reading submissions, not telling me you're gonna read my submission.  I'm kinda grown-up.  I've waited over a year for a response.  This is nothin.

Chicago's New Literary Community Panel Discussion

Today, Wednesday, November 11th at 4:30 PM, a bunch of people from Chicago who write are going to rehash the things we talk about all the time, but this time in front of people. Join F newsmagazine and the School of the Art Institute’s MFA Writing Dept for round table discussion about Chicago’s burgeoning new literary community, featuring novelist Kyle Beachy, playwright Chris Bower, blogger Jac Jemc, Associate editor of the Journal of Ordinary Thought and Assistant Director of the Neighborhood Writing Alliance Mairead Case, Quickies!founder Lindsay Hunter and Featherproof Books founder Zach Dodson, and moderated by MFAW Department head Sara Levine. The School of the Art Institute Chicago, The Sullivan Gallery, 33 S.State, 7th Floor, November 11 from 4:30-6pm FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Rejection 203

Tin House, surpriiiiiiiiiiise, dun't want my story.  This is the story that I love a lot and no one wants.

Don't get me wrong, I love all my babies equally, but this baby I love a little more equally.

Readings!

Tonight I'm reading alone at The Parlor.  I hope I will not be alone.  I hope you will come.  Here's the deets: Jac Jemc will be at The Parlor Tuesday November 3rd at 7pm!   Following her 30 minute reading, Jac will take questions from the audience.   As always, the event will be recorded and published on-line for your repeated listening pleasure on iTunes and at www.theparlorreads.com   All readings take place at 1511 N. Milwaukee Ave, 2nd Floor   For more information, please visit www.theparlorreads.com or contact theparlorreads@gmail.com

Tomorrow I'm reading with a slew of other awesome people at the Rec Room's Sad Trombone/ Erin Teegarden's 32nd Birthday Reading: 

Allison Gruber Barbara Perry Dan Godston Eric Elshtain Katie Hartsock Ellen Wadey Sunny Byers Jac Jemc Jacob Knabb Mary Hamilton Krista Franklin Mary Scherer Louie Holwerk

What is the sound of someone turning 32? Is it a sad trombone, like this (www.sadtrombone.com)? We think so. Therefore, in honor of the actual 32nd birthday of rec room founder and organizer Erin Teegarden, on November 4, 2009, we bring you a night of readings and performance that celebrate the various wah wah wah waaaahhhhhh moments of our lives.

Sad Trombone Wednesday, November 4, 2009 8:00pm - 11:00pm black rock bar 3614 N. Damen Ave. Chicago, IL

Come one, come all!  Yes!

Rejection 202

I wrote a true sex story for The Sunday Night Sex Show and then I decided I liked it, so I sent it to Nerve.  Peter at Nerve responded quite quickly saying it's not right for where Nerve is at right now.  This was a slight variation on the common "not right for us" statement.  This one is just a temporal thing, I guess.