Word Lab at 826CHI
A few weeks ago I led a visual-arts and writing themed summer camp for English Language Learners -- and it was one of my favorite teaching experiences ever. The quality of written material that young students generate from their own visual art is simply amazing, and I wish this kind of arts-driven literacy curriculum was more available in schools. Our students created extraterrestrial self-portraits, imaginary cities, and floor-plans for dream hotels. Many thanks to all the dedicated volunteers and interns who worked one-on-one with this awesome crew of students!
Students writing compliments about each other's paintings.
"M&L" in Best American Short Stories 2015!
I'm so thrilled that Heidi Pitlor and T.C. Boyle chose "M&L" to appear in The Best American Short Stories 2015. It's a huge honor. I've been a fan of the series since Walter Mosley's 2003 edition. I was so deeply impressed by how alive and urgent each of those stories were. I read the book front to back in a single day, and by the time I was done I knew I wanted to write short fiction.
I'm deeply grateful to the editors of West Branch for believing in "M&L."
Wings of Isis New Age Gifts and More
Proud and honored that Front Porch nominated "Wings of Isis New Age Gifts and More" for a 2015 Pushcart Prize. Here's a review from New Pages: Sarah Kokernot’s fiction contribution has a killer first paragraph, starting with, “Tuesday afternoons between three and four o’clock are the slowest time at Wings of Isis New Age Gifts, so that’s when my sister Lula goes into the backroom to conjure the dead.” Each line is a treat; it continues: “My sister speaks in two voices. One is her own, calm as a 911 operator and sunny as a tour guide. The second is the voice of the dead, nasal and throaty, like she’s recovering from the world’s worst sinus infection.” When their Mimi dies, she sets a test to see if Lula really can speak with the dead. It’s unpredictable, original, and well-crafted, a must-read.
You can read "Wings of Isis New Age Gifts and More" in its entirety here.
I <3 my job!
Come volunteer at 826CHI during After-School Tutoring & Writing! Here's an interview about what we do and how we do it.
Reviews of "Odd Variations on the Species"!
The nice thing about writing speculative short fiction is that people read -- and actually review -- speculative short fiction. From Locus Online Reviews: "Like much comedy, this one has a sort of manic intensity, with multiple themes competing for reader attention and complicating the plot... Funny and amusing stuff."
And there's another one at the SFRevu Review.
New Publications in Fall 2014
This fall I have three stories coming out all at the same time.
I would like to think this good fortune is due to hard work, an early bedtime, and some badass editors who carefully read through the slush pile.
Thanks y'all!
- "M&L" at West Branch
- "Wings of Isis New Age Gifts And More" at Front Porch
- "Odd Variations On The Species" at Lady Churchill's Rosebud Wristlet
I work here now!
In January I started working as the Program Coordinator at 826CHI, a non-profit writing and tutoring center. The spirit of my job is best captured by this fantastic video made by designkitchen:
826CHI // One Sentence from 826CHI on Vimeo.
"Yoga Jones is my spirit animal." -- Patton Oswalt
I wrote an article about Buddhism, yoga, and Orange Is The New Black. "An Unlikely TV Heroine: The Dharma According to Yoga Jones" is now available through Spirituality & Health magazine. Many thanks to the talented Constance Shulman for giving this interview!
Thanks to decomP magazine for nominating my story!
"Sacred Bone," first published in decomP magazine, was nominated for the storySouth Million Writers Award.