I've had quite a few stories published in online and print literary journals in the last five years. And quite a few not published. I recently received a rejection from a publication that provides brief feedback in return for a small contribution when you submit. As I read the comments, it became apparent that the... Continue Reading →
The novel, reduced to absurdity
Unless you’ve been living in a cave or atop a Himalayan peak, you’ve probably heard the news that humans now have a shorter attention span than goldfish. (Eight seconds, in case you’re wondering.) This revelation translates, for writers, into a series of eminently logical commandments: Write shorter sentences. Use shorter words. Construct shorter books. Use... Continue Reading →
Bunny on the run reveals work in progress
One thing you learn about life after a while is that there is never a perfect time for anything. A few weeks ago, my former doula client, Fault Zone assistant editor, fellow writer, and friend Dorcas Cheng-Tozun e-mailed me to ask if I’d be interested in participating in a “blog hop.” Flexing my haunches and... Continue Reading →
How Hollywood are you?
Raise your hand if you've heard of Italian neorealism. Hand still in your lap? No shame---I hadn't either, until last Saturday morning, when my go-to news source (NPR) ran a story about a new video essay on the topic by filmmaker Ernie Park. Park highlighted the contrast between neorealism and the Hollywood blockbuster and discussed... Continue Reading →
A storyteller in search of a genre
If you had asked me a month ago what kind of books I write, I would have said "literary fiction." Today, I'm not so sure. Some novelists set out with the explicit intention of writing a mystery, a thriller, a fantasy, or a young adult paranormal romance. I'm not one of them. Much as I'm... Continue Reading →
AUDREY KALMAN 