Forthcoming Book of Creative Nonfiction

The working title of my "nonfiction novel" is "Opa Nobody," though I think that will change. The story traces the life of my German grandfather, as I try to get him to explain how I should live my life. He's dead, so this was a bit of a challenge. I asked him about the struggles of trying to change the world while being a part of a family. The book alternates between pieces of memoir and pieces of fictionalized scenes from my grandfather's life, based on research. It's due out, at least right now, in Spring 2008 from University of Nebraska Press.

Writing Online

"The Real Who, What, When, and Why of Journalism," an essay on journalism and creative nonfiction in The Chronicle of Higher Education (posted Jan. 19, 2007)
"In Media Res," an essay on writing & motherhood at Literary Mama (posted Nov. 2006)
"Dear Thrasher" a sestina in McSweeney's Internet Tendency
"Dad, In Red" story at Literary Mama (a great site)
"Sucker" in Topic Magazine Issue 6:Food (sign in to get full content for free)

Past Conferences, Presentations & Readings

Audio files of panels for the 2005 Nonfiction Now conference, including a panel on "Speaking the Truth for the Living and the Dead" with myself, Lee Martin, Jeff Gundy and Mary Winstead

Nice things in Blogs:

About "Dad, In Red," a story: Fertile Ground Parenting Blog
About "Thrasher," a sestina: Hermits Rock

Awards

Finalist for 2006 Salem Women Writer's award,
Finalist for Espy Foundation Award 2006,
Finalist for Fugue Nonfiction Contest 2006

Anthology Contributions

Anthologies from Seal Press:
Readings for the Maternally Inclined: The Best of Literary Mama,
Bare Your Soul: A Thinking Girl's Guide to Enlightenment Anthology
Young Wives' Tales: New Adventures in Love and Partnership Anthology

From University of Arizona Press:
Learning To Glow: A Nuclear Reader, ed. John Bradley

Journalism

The Chronicle of Higher Education, Psychology Today, Labor Notes, In These Times, Columbus Monthly, The Other Paper, Sojourner, Infusion, Third Force, The Workbook

Literary Magazine Publications

* Nonfiction: Fourth Genre, Kaleidoscope, Topic
* Fiction: Buffalo Carp, Passages North
* Poetry: McSweeney's Internet, Main Street Rag, Pudding House, America