1. 25. Character & Conflict at UCLA Extension

   

   I’m excited to teach my first online class this summer through UCLA Extension Writers’ Program.

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2. 26. Once Removed Has a Cover

   

   I opened my email this afternoon to find the cover of my short story collection from my publisher, The University of Georgia Press.

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3. 27. Another UNEX Survey Class this Fall

   

   This fall, I’m teaching another round of Introduction to Creative Writing, a six-week course at UCLA Extension Writers’ Program that starts on Saturday, October 27th and meets from 1 pm – 4 pm.  Read more →

5. 28. Literary Roadhouse and “The Proxy Marriage”

   

   I was lucky enough to be a guest on Literary Roadhouse, a podcast that discusses one short story a week. Read more →

6. 29. PEN America’s Book Club Discusses LOST EMPRESS

   

   On Wednesday, June 20th from 6 pm – 8 pm, I’ll be hosting PEN America’s book club at The Edison in downtown Los Angeles. Read more →

7. 30. Literary Roadhouse – A Podcast Worth Exploring

   

   If you haven’t yet discovered the podcast Literary Roadhouse, you’re in for a treat. These thoughtful, intelligent podcasters discuss a single short story during each episode. Read more →

9. 31. Intro to Creative Writing: A Survey Class at UNEX

   

   This spring, I’m teaching another round of Introduction to Creative Writing, a six-week course at UCLA Extension Writers’ Program that starts on Monday, April 16th. Read more →

10. 32. A New UCLA Extension Class

    

    I’ll be teaching a new six-week course at UCLA Extension Writers’ Program this fall, which starts on September 30th. Read more →

11. 33. Love Your Body Now Project, Revisited

    

    A few years ago, my twin sister, Lisanne, and I participated in the Love Your Body Now Project, the brainchild of writer, actress, blogger, and life coach, Shannon Bradley-Colleary.

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13. 34. SPEECH, the Film

    

    In the months since the 2016 presidential election, I’ve been struggling to find a purpose for my writing, a reason to keep creating and imagining my own worlds, in a world that feels more alien and terrifying each day.

    Today, though, I found inspiration in a short film “Speech” directed by writer/director Tatia Pilieva. Read more →

14. 35. Why I Marched

    

    On January 21, 2017, I marched in Los Angeles as part of the Women’s March on Washington protesting Donald Trump’s presidency. In sister marches around the world, between 3 and 5 million people protested that day. Read more →

15. 36. A Call for Action, and Hope

    

    On election night, I wasn’t the only one in my household watching the results with dismay. My eleven-year-old son kept coming into the room, sitting with me, looking for reassurance. “It’s going to get better, Mom, isn’t it?” he kept asking. Read more →

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