None of Us Really Left | Dispatch Number 2

From the archives, October 2016: Poets Cornelius Eady (reading from his iPad), Marie Howe (of the fabulous hair), and Philip Schultz (a poet’s poignancy in his countenance) read in Rochester, with local poet and MCC Professor Tony Leuzzi (far right) moderating the conversation. Dear Friends, Recently, I was talking to some of my high school … Read more

Snake, Pausing | Dispatch Number 1

My dad, Ashok N. Shah, on the way to his wedding in 1966.

Dear Friends, I just finished reviewing copyedits for my second book, a short story collection called How to Make Your Mother Cry—that and revising the back cover copy. I find these post-writing a book, pre-publication tasks taxing. My friend Leslie C. Youngblood, author of two middle-grade novels, recently reminded me that there was a time when our … Read more

Invisible Friends | Newsletter #21

Dear Friends, I am kind of stunned that it’s June already. How did that happen? I remember when I taught 7th and 8th graders, the 7th graders said the year had gone by so much faster than 6th grade. And the 8th graders said that too about 8th grade. I didn’t know whether or not … Read more

You stay home too | Newsletter #20

Dear Friends, It used to drive my mother crazy, but I’ve always been a re-reader. Yes, of course, I see the point of reading new books and poems, listening to a new podcast episode, but often, I find something new in the familiar. In repetition. Now that I’ve spent time watching webinars and podcasts I … Read more

Open House & Book Fair | Newsletter #19

Dear Friends, For those of you who are fellow Rochestarians and Western New Yorkers, I wanted to invite you to an exciting in-person event happening this Thursday at Ampersand Books in Rochester. Writers & Books will be hosting an open house and book fair from 6:30-9PM as part of this weekend’s Taking Care conference.  At 7:30 PM, local writer and … Read more

Be Nobody’s Darling | Newsletter #18

“Be nobody’s darling; Be an outcast. Qualified to live Among your dead.” —Alice Walker Some exciting upcoming news for 2022:  In February, I’ll once again be teaching Dear Friend, a 5-week virtual class on epistolary writing, with Holly Wren Spaulding. Here’s the link to sign up. This is the only class I’m scheduled to teach this year. If you’ve been thinking about … Read more

I Had to Speak | Newsletter #17

Dear Friends, It’s hard to say anything definitive about this time, December 2021. I had given up on doing anything in person related to my book (I had a wonderful trip to Iowa in September, and that was enough), but it did also feel odd to have done nothing local or closer to where I … Read more

End of October | Newsletter #16

Dear Friends, Last week, I spoke with author Kelly Fordon about my story “The Half King” on her “Let’s Deconstruct a Story” podcast. We talked about writing a story that’s been haunting you and capturing the ineffable parts of a past time in your life. You can listen to the podcast here. I also wanted to share the Teaching Resources Guide for This Is One Way … Read more

Event with Myriam Chancy | Newsletter #15

Dear Friends, On October 7, I was in conversation with Haitian-Canadian-American writer Myriam J. A. Chancy in celebration of her new novel, What Storm, What Thunder at the East City Bookshop. What Storm, What Thunder tells a haunting and lyrical story of the aftermath of disaster and of human resilience and survival. You can watch the replay of the event here and can buy … Read more

Newsletter #14 | Notes from a Sabbatical

Dear Friends, I made a self-imposed sabbatical this summer. Even though I still had projects, taking a sabbatical allowed me to say no to nearly all requests to be on panels, speak, teach, or other service requests. This was a huge relief after my book year. During this time, I had some doctor appointments and my annual eye exam … Read more