I recently learned some exciting news: my essay “Into the Vacuum,” which was published online by Prime Number Magazine in January, has been chosen for inclusion in their first annual Editor’s Choice print publication, due out in January. I will be honored to see my essay, published in print, among the work of some really terrific writers of fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction. I’m told that the journal will be available for order in January, and also at the Press 53/Prime Number Magazine table at AWP at the end of February. I’ll post a link for online ordering when it becomes available.
My semester is winding down; today I will teach my last class of the fall. Monday is the deadline for students to hand in their final papers. Once those are graded, I’ll be done. The feeling is bittersweet; I will miss my students and the opportunity to work with them, and teaching at Framingham State University has been an eye-opening experience in many ways. I’ve learned so much about both teaching and writing, and I hope my students gained something valuable from the course. At the same time, I can’t deny that I’m looking forward to a few of the perks that will come from not teaching in the spring, especially having time to renew my focus on my own writing. The sad fact is that one of the other perks involves being able to bring in an acceptable income again. I find it frustrating (as I’m sure many teachers and others do) that teaching, which is so important, pays significantly less than more mundane, less human work — especially when you’re an adjunct.
Well, regardless of the bitter and the sweet, soon the fall semester will be behind me. Whatever adventures are destined for the New Year will begin. In the meantime, back to work.
