Join me and fellow anthology editors Ilana Masad and Stevie Seibert Desjarlais (HERE FOR ALL THE REASONS: WHY WE WATCH THE BACHELOR) for this one-time virtual class!

A rejection is not a me-jection–but it can feel like that when your personal essay doesn’t make the cut (or The Cut). What gives editors the ick? In the last year, we’ve edited at least 50 essays between us–and that’s just for our two anthologies. We’ve seen it all: submissions that were immediate yeses, voices we were excited to help develop, and those that missed the mark. In this class, we’ll provide insight around structuring a personal story, incorporating research, sharpening voice, effectively collaborating with editors, and more. We’ll demonstrate through sample pitches and essay excerpts what works and what doesn’t. Finally, we’ll answer your burning questions about how to write personal essays that get accepted.

More information here and register here.

By popular demand (jk but it was a great panel), I’m bringing this AWP panel to the virtual space provided by Philadelphia’s own “A Writer’s Party!” Featuirng Philly-based writers Eshani Surya, LindoYes, Elizabeth Austin, Julian Shendelman, and moderated by me.

Approximately 20% of the population identifies as neurodivergent. If you’re among this group, you’ve likely seen your writing benefit from your unique brain through hyperfocus, attention to detail, memory retention, thinking outside the box, and more. You’ve also probably experienced challenges to process and craft around these same skills and qualities. In this panel, genre-diverse writers with ADHD, ASD, OCD, and dyslexia share their strategies and routines, their wisdom and reflections.

Register here.

In a world where authors must do their own promotion, the good news is that you have many tactics available. Even if you avoid social media and no matter how much support your publisher provides, there are ways that authors can raise their profile and find readers. Leslie-Ann Murray moderates a panel of authors who have taken various approaches to publicizing their books and connecting with audiences.

If you could use advice about how to approach social media or need help getting traction with reviews and interviews, join us for this encouraging talk about how writers can actively promote themselves and their works throughout the literary world, before and after a book’s publication. The session will offer practical strategies to:

• Secure book reviews and interviews (even with smaller, emerging platforms)

• Prepare for interviews and confidently own their narrative.

• Elevate their social media presence in authentic, sustainable ways.

• Connect with audiences through book clubs, newsletters, and literary communities.

A Q&A will follow the presentation; you can pre-submit a question when registering for the event. A recording will be made available for those who cannot attend live.

Register here.

In this AWP offiste event, writers read about cats! Hosted by Amelia Possanza, Samantha Paige Rosen, and Gaby Iori, featuring: Kristen Arnett, Krys Malcolm Belc, Megan Okonsky, Mario Elias, Hannah Grieco, Ananda Lima, Eshani Surya, and Jules Wernersbach.

Register here.

At AWP in Baltimore, I’ll be in conversation with writers Emma Copley Eisenberg, Paul Lisicky, Reena Shah, and Rachel Richardson:

Friendships rarely appear as central subjects in stories about adult life, though they are often our sturdiest and longest-lasting bonds. To center friendship is an act of resistance to a dominant heteronormative narrative. This panel seeks to investigate these under-written relationships. In novels, poetry, and essays, the panel will discuss friendship as a topic worth centering in our creative lives and work, and will explore the generative possibilities in the territory.

More information here.