Moving Forward

The editing process is now complete for my debut book of poetry.

We’ve moved into the typesetting phase, which is enormously exciting and I still can’t believe it. Right now, my publisher is working to design the interior of my book. They send me different options, and then I choose the ones I like, and they apply them. Now is also the time that I get to start setting up readings, book signings, and other events to publicize my book, as well as applying to fellowships, residencies, and book awards. Cause why not?

It’s a LOT to handle, but it’s also an absolute pleasure and an enormous blessing. Not only do I get to experience this as a writer whose work is being published, but I also get to assist in helping the other writers being published this year with their publishing process. It’s a little community that is filled with some of the most generous and compassionate writers I’ve ever met. Not to mention the editors, who continue to blow me away by their time and their commitment to our work.

So, big things are happening. It’s honestly such an exciting time in my life. My partner and I are approaching our second anniversary, and I cannot even say how much I love and respect him. Our puppy, Kiki, is turning one year old in June. I actually came out as bisexual to my family, something I never thought I’d have the courage to do. (It did not go well, and that has been a very hard thing to process.) But, even despite the trauma of coming out and having my sexuality rejected, the feeling of peace that I have just knowing that it’s over and I don’t have to worry about it anymore, is enormous. I’m also finishing up my first semester of my M.A. in Literature (just have one final paper to finish and submit), I’m continuing to learn in my new job, which is motivating and exciting every single fucking day, and I’m in the early stages of starting another book of poetry.

I’m sitting in bed right now, staring out the window at the cherry blossoms that have bloomed right outside our condo; the sun is shining, the air is fresh and crisp, and I can hear several different birds chirruping in the trees that surround our complex. It’s a beautiful moment. Later, I’ll be meeting up with two close friends, and I cannot wait to see them. And yesterday and Monday I went to Eugene with a student from the M.F.A. program I attended (she’s in the cohort behind mine), and we attended a reading given by Neil Gaiman. It was a magical experience with a phenomenal human being.

Oh, and I got my nose pierced.

There’s something so fulfilling about actively building my life into what I want it to be.