As I mentioned in a quick post the other day, my blog was out of commission for a couple of weeks — sorry about that, readers! One day I logged in to write a new post and got a strange error message noting that there was a mistake in a random line of code. Not being a coder (I can only code the most basic HTML) I had no idea what the message meant. So I emailed my trusted Webmaster, Justin Sablich. This made me feel kind of ridiculous, because since I met Justin several years ago and he built my website and blog for me, he’s become a bit of a “big shot.” Now a multi- media sports journalist and designer who writes and produces news stories for The New York Times, he was even sent to London to cover the Olympics. But because he’s also a kind and generous human being, he got to work on my blog the first moment he could and within days had it up and running again.
I know people recommend web designers all the time, but I honestly can’t say enough positive words about Justin. I believe he still pursues his web design business in addition to his work at the Times, and he has never been anything but wonderful, generous, and helpful to me — all at a very reasonable price. So if you’re looking for web design services, do contact Justin (and tell him Faye sent you!).
I feel as if I’ve missed so much time with the blog — I wanted to write something about my experience at AWP in early March, and I’ve had thoughts since then about some of the writing I’ve been doing, as well as publications news from other writers. I have also been going through the process of having my agent, Joan Schweighardt of GreyCore Literary Services send my essay collection/memoir manuscript to a number of presses. It’s been an interesting experience to “shop” my first book-length manuscript, but I’ve been hesitant to say too much about the process here. You never want to second-guess what might or might not happen, or to jinx any possibilities (even while all of your toes and fingers are crossed). I’ll just say this — it’s been an illuminating experience in many ways, and it has helped me to understand the publishing world better and to think carefully about where to focus my writing as I move forward. If and when there’s news about the manuscript that’s worthy of sharing, you can be sure I’ll share it here. I can say this — with everything the manuscript has been through so far, I’m gaining more pride in the accomplishment of working on and finishing that book, no matter what happens.
But as one friend familiar with the publishing scene told me, the most important thing to do while a project is out there is to move on and keep writing. So that’s what I’m trying to focus on now. I’ve working on a variety of things — getting back to my writing desk first thing every morning, tinkering with both old and new personal essays (which I think I’ll always do) and planning on trying some fiction. I even have a children’s book in mind that I’d like to write. There’s so much out there to try and explore, and I’m going to cast around for what feels right for my next project.
Wish me hard work and good luck. I wish it right back at you.
