'twas the night before christmas

Actually the morning before Christmas. I've gotten a lot accomplished in the last week: grades are in, Christmas tree is up, Christmas shopping's done, house feels very cozy. Ben should be home tonight, and we'll sleep in tomorrow (gone are the days when he jumped into our bed at 5am, too excited to wait any longer for presents from Santa). Yesterday I finished up a recommendation letter for a student applying to an mfa program, my response to a student draft creative thesis, my "Top Ten Things of 2019" for LITTLE FICTION/BIG TRUTHS, my account of December 21 for ESSAY DAILY. 

My rejection arrived from the CUTBANK flash contest. It's a soft reject of the we-enjoyed-this-hope-you-submit-again variety (but maybe they always do that, since contest submissions bring in money?). It's a flash I like, a sort of funny one (so many of mine are dark), and I'll think about where to send it after Christmas.

Accepted as a reader for CRAFT today. There were a lot of hoops to jump through, including a fairly difficult test (why I would accept/reject some sample stories, how I would assess some sample beginnings). Very professional. I've committed to 3-4 hours of work each week, January through June. It's cool to be starting this work at such a good magazine.

​I hope you are all in a good place this year, and if you're not, that you find solace from the people who love you and have loved you in the past. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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