M.A. Dubbs's Blog, page 9

Pocket Zine now on Ko-fi

My pocket zine “Little Book of Coping Skills” is now available on Ko-fi for purchase!

My hopes for the zine is to provide quick and easy access to coping skills when someone is struggling with mental health symptoms. The small size allows someone to fit this into their pocket, purse, or wallet and the medium itself is accessible. These can also be easily printed and distributed or placed in bathrooms, little libraries, or information tables.

For those unfamiliar with zines, they are DIY magazines of any topic of your choosing. A pocket zine or an A8 is a small zine (the size of a standard 8.5 x 11) which can be printed and folded.

Check out my Ko-fi store and zine here: https://ko-fi.com/madubbs

Poem in Indiana Anthology

Excited to finally talk about this but my poem “Little Eagle Creek in Seasons” (first appearance in Reflections on Little Eagle Creek Anthology by Brick Street Press) is going to be in A Flame Called Indiana: New Writing from the Crossroads. This anthology features recent, notable Hoosier writers. The publisher is my alma mater, Indiana University Press, and comes out next summer!

You can read the entire list of writers in the anthology and learn more about the editor, Doug Paul Case, here: http://www.dougpaulcase.com/a-flame-called-indiana

Author Feature with Ink Slingers

I was today’s feature author for Ink Slingers! The Ink Slingers is a free platform that promotes writers via bios, interviews, or writing features. Reach out if you are interested in getting yourself or your work featured.

Check them out at Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheSlingers

Or their website: https://www.theinkslingers.net/

Challenging Misogyny in the Literary World

I’ve been deciding on whether to post this or not but I decided that not talking about this will just continue to perpetuate the issues that face women writers and creatives in the literary scene. It’s not very common to write and express bad experiences in the literary world. I think because the writing world can be a small circle, but I also think it is fear of retaliation and burning bridges for future opportunities. However, I believe that silence continues oppression and other abusive behaviors so I feel the need to talk about what I have experienced, despite some fear of backlash.

So what am I talking about? I unfortunately had a very unpleasant and negative experience with a publication that I was submitting a piece to. I have decided, at this time, to not name the publication. This is fairly uncommon for me and I have overall had wonderful, supportive, and nurturing experiences and feedback from the numerous editors, hosts, and collaborative creators I have worked with throughout the ten years I have been submitting my work.

I have been trying to find a good home for a short fiction piece I have been working on. This piece hits on the heavy subject of mass shootings and exploring the often discussed link between mental health and misogyny in those who commit these heinous crimes. For those familiar with my writing, I find it important to address all topics, in a respectful manner, even if they are uncomfortable. Never have I received feedback from peers, readers, or editors about insensitivity in my writing.

This piece in particular had also not received any negative feedback from the earlier editors I had sent it to. However, the editor of this publication within 24 hours sent a rejection. Rejection is definitely not new to anyone in the creative field. However, I was informed I was getting a personalized rejection and needed to be told why.

This editor informed me that because I was writing about mental health and diagnoses, I needed to have medical credentials and then proceeded to explain diagnoses and inappropriate misdiagnoses to me. It should be noted, that I am a licensed clinical social worker, with a master’s degree with a concentration in Mental Health and Addictions, and I have been practicing in my field for 7.5 years (not including the two years of practicum). The diagnosis addressed in the piece, Anti-Social Personality Disorder was my final “mini thesis” research paper before graduation. I am also neurodivergent myself.

The editor then informed me, a woman, about “actual misogyny”, that I was “pathologizing behavior” of those who become mass shooters, and that my piece was “dangerous for men”. The editor also made a comparison of women being labeled as “borderline” or “histrionic”.

I was honestly completed floored to get this response. Firstly, to receive such an emotionally reactive message from an editor, who generally should provide neutral next steps and feedback for how to improve a piece, was shocking. Next, I couldn’t believe the idea that a creative must be an expert to write about something AND this is actually a field I am qualified to discuss and explore! Why was it automatically assumed that I didn’t know what I was talking about or could possibly be qualified? Why is someone not in my field trying to explain things that I already know? And to add upon that, although gendered misdiagnosis definitely exists, comparing other personality disorders to ASPD, a disorder noted by its lack of empathy and violence and harm towards others, is problematic. This perpetuates the idea that all mental illness is inherently linked with violence. It also ignores the history of women that were institutionalized, mistreated and misdiagnosed in the medical field. It also ignores that medical research specifically for women still lacks in many areas.

And lastly, I was sadden that this editor found that discussing and challenging sexism and misogyny in our society meant that I was a misandrist that hated men when nothing further could be from the truth.

It should be noted that never in my piece was it stated or even suggested that all men are mass shooters or have ASPD. Indeed, it actually criticizes the idea that young boys and men don’t need emotional support, exploration of vulnerable feelings, and mental health counseling. It follows a boy growing up, showcasing concerning behaviors, but those concerns being dismissed by those in authority in his life. After receiving this message, I sought additional feedback about the piece from men and women. Although I wanted to tackle hard topics, I want to be respectful and sensitive. However I did not get the same reception or feedback as the unsolicited feedback from this editor.

So why am I writing about this? Because I feel that this highlights a major issue in the literary community. It’s been no secret that sexism has played a major barrier in getting published for those who are not men. So much so, that women and writers of other genders have used initials or masculine presenting pen names to feel they get a fair shot. So much so that we have the VIDA breakdown of the different genders published in the top literary magazines. So much so that there has been criticism of gender equity for writing awards and nominations. So much so that women have created feminist and women-exclusive publications in response to the inequality they have historically faced.

Although this is the first time I have experienced this so blatantly, at least in the writing world, I can recall a recent publication I was going to submit to until I read the male editor’s advice to women writers to “submit like a man”. I believe this was intended to be helpful and encourage women to re-submit but came across as very condescending and unappreciated.

Misogyny and the patriarchy are in the systematic fabric of most cultures and writing and challenging this is not misandrist. Challenging privilege may feel uncomfortable but it is a reality for many people. I have experienced gendered violence and sexual assault. Personal growth cannot come throughout challenge of our personal biases. I feel that discouraging this exploration in the arts not only does a disservice to creative freedom but also perpetuates sexism in of itself.

This situation also shows a lack of accountability in the literary community. There are no checks and balances to make a good faith report or concern for editors or publications of inappropriate or discriminatory behaviors. This publication is a member of CLMP, with accessibly to funds and/or rewards. There is no easy way to warn fellow writers about abusive publications or editors and some, such as myself, fear retaliation in doing so. That’s not to say that editors or publishers shouldn’t have the freedom to publish what they enjoy or what aligns with their values, but I do think there should be measures in place to give writers and other artists power.

What can we do moving forward? Sexism definitely is not going to go away over night but here’s a few ideas that came to mind.

Speak up about abusive behavior you’ve experienced in the literary or arts world, if you feel safe to do so.Check out the editors of the publication. Is there diversity? This particular publication didn’t list their editors which is a red flag in general.Submit to publications that encourage equity and celebrate diversity and not just in their About Us! Look at the writers and contributors biographies.Support or fund publications that align with values of equity. It’s not enough to not be sexist/racist/homophobic, etc. Publications need to be anti-misogynistic, anti-ableist, etc..The literary and art world needs checks and balances. We need a system to report abusive publications or editors to protect authors and artists.Create your own publication, zines, or site that represent and align with your own values that celebrate diversity.

I hope that this post, as lengthy as it was, can help provide some solidarity to my fellow writers out there, particular those in marginalized communities. I am a proud feminist and will continue to challenge sexism for people of all genders. And as for this publication, well, I won’t be planning on submitting to them any more.

Four Poems Published with Spoonie Magazine

I have four poems out today and published with for their online magazine. Spoonie Press publishes writing focused on disabilities and/or neurodivergence. All the pieces are about my personal experience with neurodivergence. Read “Nuclear Fission Brain Bleeds”, “The One Where I Have a Panic Attack”, “Formerly Content with SSRI Flavor” and “Gaslighting Anonymous” here: https://www.spooniepress.com/magazine/ma-dubbs-poetry-072022

Two poems in I’M NOT DOING PRETTY GOOD e-zine

The e-zine is live! “I”M NOT DOING PRETTY GOOD: an inquiry into mental health” is a digital zine focused on mental health and was created by Nate Fieldson. It has two of my pieces: “Welcome to the World Kid”, a visual found poem made of Nickelodeon magazine texts and “Life After Recovery”, a poem [Trigger warning: SI].

You can read the entire e-zine here for free: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RPbAtpwNP-fCLBXf-JIN3IN1ZQ7tIamf/view

Reading at Poetry on Brick Street

This Thursday I was honored to be the featured author at Poetry on Brick Street! I read from my debut collection Aerodynamic Drag: Poetry and Short Fiction (2021). It was a wonderful night with a very welcoming audience followed by a stunning open mic.

You can listen to an excerpt of my piece “In These Black Hills You Need More Than Gold” at the link below:

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=428934855824720

“M. A. Dubbs gave us an evening of Poetry to remember at Poetry on Brick Street last evening. (1st Thursday of each month) We were treated to a very engaging experience. An impeccable sense of timing and enunciation added to the connectivity. For regular and new attendees, it was a wonderful gathering.”

~Poetry on Brick Street

Reading with Poetry on Brick Street

Come join me next Thursday for my poetry reading at Poetry on Brick Street!

Poetry Reading “Defrosting”

My reading of my poem “Defrosting” is now live on Heartland Society of Women Writer’s YouTube channel. This piece was originally published with Periphery Magazine. You can watch below:

Interview with Heartland Society of Women Writers

My interview with Heartland Society of Women Writers is now live on their website. I talk about the inspiriation behind my book Aerodynamic Drag: Poetry and Short Fiction along with Indiana roots. You can read the interview here: https://hlwomenwriters.wordpress.com/madubbs/

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