Hello again! It’s February 18 already, and lots of notable things are happening in my world. Read on!
First and foremost, I am part of a new storytelling show with Tellin’ Tales Theatre on March 1 and 8 in Chicago! The theme is Body, and I’ll be presenting a very personal story with a group predominantly made of disabled storytellers. Workshopping my story has been a lot of fun, and I can’t wait to perform it in just a couple weeks! Details and tickets are available at tellintales.org!
I and my friend MV Perry are finalizing an authors reading at my hometown library for Mental Health Awareness Month
The submissions deadline has passed and the judging is on for a competition that I chair, the High School Communications Contest for the Illinois Woman’s Press Association! I think we had seven schools participate, sending in well over 100 entries in twenty-three categories. I can’t wait to see the results for this, as well as for the Professional Contest, which I submitted sixteen entries to in twelve categories . . . we’ll see how the contests turn out, as well as judges’ feedback.
Work as a writing tutor is going great! It got busy earlier than it usually does earlier in the semester. Working on different projects, especially embedded tutoring—like being a teaching assistant—has been so rewarding, as has working with a number of new students who are motivated to improve their wriing skills.
Reading is so much fun! I’m currently perusing different books, some in audio, by the likes of Rob Harvilla on ‘90s music and Zachary Pace on female singers and their queer identity. I’m thinking of reviewing a book soon, potentially for PopMatters, where I am a staff writer . . .
Although I was also rejected from a national literature conference because my work on James Baldwin and music was previously published, I’m excited because that same piece was accepted at a national pop culture conference in March!
Writing is going well, though some projects are on the metaphorical back burner. I’m still waiting to hear back about a 33 1/3 series book proposal on ‘90s country music, slowly working on an essay on freedom, and gathering different sources and ideas for my personal essay on Ella Fitzgerald. I’m still hoping to put together a manuscript of personal writing on music by the end of this year to submit to a publisher.
And lastly, I am cutting back on my use of social media. I deleted multiple apps from my phone, though I can still access them otherwise (less often). Hallelujah for fewer distractions.
Thanks for reading, pass it on, and best to you,
Josh Friedberg