publishing

My piece about the KKK Rally in Anaheim, published in today’s LA Times

So this happened…!

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Breaking news, just then shared via Twitter

While the event itself was deeply unsettling, I am grateful for the opportunity to give voice to my experiences, and to widen the conversation.

Excerpt: The best way to confront a hate group that has increasingly made its presence known in Anaheim is difficult to determine. Some people prefer not to give the KKK the satisfaction of receiving any attention at all. I understand that, but my bigger fear is that if we ignore the KKK, we allow racism the opportunity to fester in the dark.

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Image via LA Times’ Twitter feed

I first wrote about the experience here (KKK Rally in Anaheim: Where were the helpers?) and then posted a follow-up blog (What Was I Thinking?). But this LA Times editorial is edgier. It also goes deeper.

Wondering: What would you have done, in similar circumstances? After you’ve read the complete editorial, I invite you to respond via Twitter or Facebook, or drop a comment on this blog.

Patience, Grasshoppers

Literary agent Colleen Lindsay’s blog (The Swivet) is a gold mine of advice and encouragement for writers, including this latest nugget: 

"Everything in publishing in 2009 is going to take longer. It’s going to take longer for editors to read and respond to pitches from agents. It’s going to take longer for editors to find the time to read the manuscripts we’re sending them and get back to us with a decision. A lot longer. It’s going to take longer for a manuscript to get sent to an editorial board. It’s going to take longer for your newly acquired book to get scheduled. It’s probably going to take longer to get contracts and checks. It’s going to take longer, period. Because there are a lot fewer people doing all the same amount of work right now and those people aren’t superhuman.

"So starting today? Cultivate the art of patience. It’ll be the best thing you can do for yourself as a writer."

Patience is not my virtue. But perhaps this market downturn will help teach me (us?) how to wait.  

Image credit Site Meter