Guys, here I am. It’s been way too long. I think I was still wearing flannel the last time I posted. We’re stuck in what they’re calling a “heat dome” here in the Philly burbs, so no summer flannel for this butch.
I’ve been busy, folks. I haven’t been ignoring you because you think Cindy was the best Brady ever. Everyone knows it was Jan. Or because you’re a Yankees fan.
Maybe a crown AND a cape like professional wrestler Jerry “The King” Lawler wore back in the day.
You’re looking at one of the newest authors to sign with Regal Crest, a powerhouse in the world of lesbian literature. I’m sure I’ll get a crown or velvet cape any day now, but it hasn’t arrived yet.
I just finished the manuscript for the new book.
Remember when you were a kid and you were playing outside and the whiffle ball got stuck in the gutter or the kickball landed in the creek? You always got a do-over.
This book is a lot like that. I had a chance to go through the current version of Leaving Normal: Adventures in Gender and make edits. Tighten it up. Really, that’s every writer’s dream–one more chance to edit. I know, we’re weird creatures.
Plus, the second edition, which is being billed as an author’s cut, has added content. New stories I wrote this past year specifically for this project. You’ll get to learn more about Middle-age Butch when she was big butch on her college campus and didn’t even know it. And of course, the book will include more of the those butch-tastic tales everyone loves like the hunt for the perfect buzz cut and the time-honored tradition of the clandestine butch nod. If you turned your head just now, you missed it.
My trophy looked like this except it was invisible.
Also, Leaving Normal: Adventures in Gender was short listed for an award in creative nonfiction by the Golden Crown Literary Society. It didn’t win, but I still feel like a winner.
While I’m making announcements, I should mention that I’ve started my next book. The working title is Love Is Like Tiny Cheeseburgers: Essays from a Butch Romantic. Basically, it’s about me and W sitting in a tree and other stuff that makes your heart beat faster.
Hope you all feel like winners these days. Because you are. Big, beautiful winners. Now go hoist your invisible trophy over your head and shout out that you’re number 1!
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Ok, I told you what’s new with me. What’s new with you? Share one new thing. A new movie, a new book, a new place you visited. Anything. Go.
The Flannel Files 
HUZZAH!!! Congratulations on your do over!! How Awesome a feeling that must be. Can’t wait to read the new version and I’m really looking forward to “Love is like tiny cheeseburgers.” You were born to write romance. 😀
Aw, thanks. You’ll have to wait until spring 2017 to read the new version, but that’ll be here before you know it.
Don’t know that I was born to write romance, but we’ll see. One of the reasons I decided to give it a go is because of all of your comments and feedback.
Good to “see” you. 🙂
Yay for tighten-ups and next book titles! Love really IS like tiny cheeseburgers. And pizza. And chucks.
New: I went to a hot springs resort during a June heat wave and am headed to Montana very soon. 🙂
Thanks, Feve. I missed you, too.
A hot springs resort sounds like fun, even in the heat. The heat doesn’t bother me too much. Just can’t wear my beloved flannel. Enjoy Montana. I’ve never been there.
Can’t wait to read the new edition of Leaving Normal and the new book. And congratulations on being short listed for the creative nonfiction award!
New: I just got back from a three-day retreat where I had lots of time to contemplate and dream and plan out my new enterprise.
Thanks, Patty. Can’t wait to hear all about your retreat. Sounds like you made good use of your time.
Yay! You’re back. 🙂
New: I’ve started taking a python programming class. It’s fun, but hard to do homework during the summer.
I’m back in all of my butch glory. Good for you for taking a class during the summer. “My cat ate my homework.” Feel free to use that excuse as needed. My cat does love to chew paper.
That’s amazing! Congrats!!
I submitted a short story into Glimmer Train magazine. I’ll be working more short stories for CrazyHorse Magazine. I’ve got a book in the wings and ideas for more. So yeah… I’ve been busy with writey stuffs.
Love Glimmer Train. Good luck with your submission. Haven’t heard of CrazyHorse. I’ll have to check it out. And yay on the book and ideas. Writey stuffs is good.
Congrats!!! My new thing is moving with my girl in two weeks to NJ to start grad school.
Good luck, Maia. With the girl and grad school. Not that you need it. But luck and rainbows and lots of sparkly stuff to you and your gal as you embark on this next chapter of your life.