Jennifer Acker's Blog, page 19
September 27, 2024
Podcast: Kevin Dean on “Patron Saints”
KEVIN DEAN
Kevin talks to Managing Editor Emily Everett about the process of writing and revising his Issue 27 story "Patron Saints." The story follows a young American trying to find his place in Cairo, while the city roils with political uncertainty after the Arab Spring uprising.
Kevin talks to Managing Editor Emily Everett about the process of writing and revising his Issue 27 story "Patron Saints." The story follows a young American trying to find his place in Cairo, while the city roils with political uncertainty after the Arab Spring uprising.
September 26, 2024
September 2024 Poetry Feature
ANNA GIRGENTI
and we stood for a while where it had been, kissing / in the memory of it and whispering the way we do, / in reverence for the creatures of the world that call to us, / that surround us and reach into us and terrify us, / that claim their space like a blade in a mouth, / that show up and remind us with their warmth
and we stood for a while where it had been, kissing / in the memory of it and whispering the way we do, / in reverence for the creatures of the world that call to us, / that surround us and reach into us and terrify us, / that claim their space like a blade in a mouth, / that show up and remind us with their warmth
September 23, 2024
The Common’s Issue 28 Launch Party
Free and open to the public, wine and snacks will be provided.
Join The Common for the launch of Issue 28! We welcome four esteemed contributors who happen to be local: Disquiet Prize-winning poet Iqra Khan, MacArthur Fellow Brad Leithauser, environmental economist James K. Boyce, and fiction and essay writer Douglas Koziol. Issues will be available for purchase. We’ll have brief readings, a short Q&A, and lots of time to mingle!
Join The Common for the launch of Issue 28! We welcome four esteemed contributors who happen to be local: Disquiet Prize-winning poet Iqra Khan, MacArthur Fellow Brad Leithauser, environmental economist James K. Boyce, and fiction and essay writer Douglas Koziol. Issues will be available for purchase. We’ll have brief readings, a short Q&A, and lots of time to mingle!
September 20, 2024
What We’re Reading: September 2024
HILDEGARD HANSEN
For me, to read is often to go in search of something extremely specific but inarticulable, and to be dissatisfied if it is not there. In G. H., Lispector articulates it for me: "a kind of quaking happiness all over my body, a horrible happy unease in which my legs seemed to vanish, as always when the roots of my unknown identity were touched."
For me, to read is often to go in search of something extremely specific but inarticulable, and to be dissatisfied if it is not there. In G. H., Lispector articulates it for me: "a kind of quaking happiness all over my body, a horrible happy unease in which my legs seemed to vanish, as always when the roots of my unknown identity were touched."
September 19, 2024
Am I a Fraud? Are We All? An Interview with Aparna Nancherla
APARNA NANCHERLA
Frequently, imposter syndrome showed up when I was given an opportunity or neared a goal. I would think, “Do I really deserve this? Why was I given this? Am I like everyone else here?” Some people get opportunities and their first thought is, “Finally, you guys took long enough.” For me, I thought, “Why?”
Frequently, imposter syndrome showed up when I was given an opportunity or neared a goal. I would think, “Do I really deserve this? Why was I given this? Am I like everyone else here?” Some people get opportunities and their first thought is, “Finally, you guys took long enough.” For me, I thought, “Why?”
September 18, 2024
Two Poems: Stella Wong
STELLA WONG
the Swedish red / and white dairy // cattle crossed the / red pied (now ex // -tinct) and ayrshire / (also all gone). // swaying fairy / red with cargo. // nation built, spent / in what was known // as mellanmjölk, / middle milk. one // and a half per / -cent.
the Swedish red / and white dairy // cattle crossed the / red pied (now ex // -tinct) and ayrshire / (also all gone). // swaying fairy / red with cargo. // nation built, spent / in what was known // as mellanmjölk, / middle milk. one // and a half per / -cent.
September 12, 2024
Nicks and Cuts
HEMA PADHU
I remember how she used to look before my siblings arrived. Her long braided hair and slim hips ... She catches me staring at her as she grinds batter for idli. Beads of perspiration dot her neck and forehead. She grasps my chin with batter fingers and says, study hard, or you’ll end up like this.
I remember how she used to look before my siblings arrived. Her long braided hair and slim hips ... She catches me staring at her as she grinds batter for idli. Beads of perspiration dot her neck and forehead. She grasps my chin with batter fingers and says, study hard, or you’ll end up like this.
September 9, 2024
It’s a Gift to Be Alive: Jennifer Acker interviews Hannah Gersen
HANNAH GERSEN
It's still good to be alive, it's a gift to be alive. I can fall into a very pessimistic feeling about the future, and I think anyone who has delved into science will come away feeling alarmed and grief-stricken at all that has already been lost.
It's still good to be alive, it's a gift to be alive. I can fall into a very pessimistic feeling about the future, and I think anyone who has delved into science will come away feeling alarmed and grief-stricken at all that has already been lost.
September 5, 2024
Missile Sequence
MOHAMMAD IBRAHIM NAWAYA
A straw basket hangs from the side of a vehicle parked at the corner of your street. You assume it’s displaying fresh parsley, or strawberries, and you approach the man you assume is the vendor.
A straw basket hangs from the side of a vehicle parked at the corner of your street. You assume it’s displaying fresh parsley, or strawberries, and you approach the man you assume is the vendor.
September 4, 2024
Manuscript Consultations from The Common!
Over the years, many writers have told us they’d like feedback on their works-in-progress. Now, for the first time, we are offering manuscript critiques by one of our editors to the general public! We offered this service as a pilot program for Weekly Writes participants last spring, and it was a huge success. We're thrilled to open it to all this fall.
