If you are, like I was a month ago, not yet acquainted with the work of Thomas Mann, I urge you to put his work near the top of your to-read list. Buddenbrooks is a gem. Death in Venice and The Magic Mountain are next up for me.
Book mail that inspired me to attempt to make a picture of the author. Unfortunately, I cannot draw realistic pictures worth a damn. But at least in this sketchbook I wrote something true: @aaronburch.bsky.social is a lit-world champion. Excited to read Tacoma soon!
Image: THE GLEANERS & I, © Ciné Tamaris, Ciné Tamaris/Photofest
NER is excited to announce an open call for submissions to a special feature celebrating Agnès Varda’s 2000 film THE GLEANERS & I. This special feature will be edited by NER contributing editor J. M. Tyree.
Read the submission guidelines & submit: newenglandreview.submittable.com/submit/9476d...
So awesome to hear, @rossshowalter.com! The experience of reading and creating illustrations for your beautiful story was memorable and a special experience for me!
I had a great time conducting an interview with Maggie Mull about her short story in @newenglandreview.bsky.social. We discussed defamiliarization, authenticity, and humor, among other things. Check it out on NER's website. (Her story is published in the latest issue!)
nereview.com/behind-the-b...
I suppose this thread is a lament, but also a plea that if you are a lit mag/journal that is still putting writing into the world with illustrations, please keep doing it. We need such publications. -- 7/7
And I guess I'm finally moving on from the idea that I might again be asked to contribute work for that particular mag/journal or, even sadder, that I'll ever see original art by other artists on their pages either. Alas! -- 6/7
Whatever the case, though, I think it's a shame that the decision was made. It's been half a year since the change and I guess it's safe to assume that their role as a lit mag/journal that publishes compelling writing with original art is over. -- 5/7
I'm only speculating here though because I never received a message explaining the decision. (I don't feel like pestering the new owners asking for an explanation because I'm certain they have enough to concern themselves with and, even if it'd be nice, they don't owe me an explanation.) -- 4/7
I don't know why the change was made. There may be a good reason (e.g., high cost in time to administer the illustrations/illustrators, or high cost to pay illustration contributors--although I was never paid for the illustration work I created, so I doubt the latter is the case). -- 3/7
Recently, a leading magazine that published writing paired w/a few original illustrations changed ownership, then stopped publishing original art w/the writing. (The illustrations were made by a rotating team of illustrators (myself included) & the art always added to the reading experience.) -- 2/7
I'm a big fan of many literary mags/journals, but I especially appreciate when the mag/journal pairs their stories/essays/poetry with original art/illustrations. (Nothing against those that do not, as there are obviously very excellent ones out there that don't.) -- 1/7
Fun with one-line pencil drawing…
Recent drawing…
Sven: It’s been months since your last photo post. I miss seeing these! They always bring me a visual to contemplate or else joy. Please return and post more artistic shots when you feel up to it.
Andre Aciman’s Call Me By Your Name is a perfect book. WOW! Just finished it this afternoon and had to sit and hold onto it a bit before anything else.
My daughter gave me a sunflower and I made a picture because of it.
A section of an abstract painting I’m working on.
This is one of my favorites of all time!
A partial view of an oil painting work in progress.
Thanks so much, Anna! Love your take on it too! ❤️
It means a lot, Aaron! At least to me it does. 😀 Thanks so much for sharing about this morning’s thoughts. It is such an honor having the story published alongside so many great stories in your journal—whatever magic it has is also as a result of the story’s pals!
A close up of an oil painting that I’m working on…
If you are looking for an incredible film—and who isn’t, really?—look no further than On Becoming a Guinea Fowl, directed by Rungano Nyoni.
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/06/m...
What a great short read, @anniejowrites.bsky.social! Powerful punch of a story with a compelling idea at the center and one that is beautifully written.
“I understand absolutely nothing,” replied the Nose. “Make yourself more clear.”
“My dear sir,” said Kovalyov with a sense of his own dignity, “I don’t know how to interpret your words…The whole thing seems to me quite obvious…Or do you wish…After all, you are my nose!”
-from Gogol’s “The Nose”
Literature & short story lovers: recently I was paid for a story published in Short Story, Long. To support the journal, I'd like to put the $ back into it by giving away a bunch of monthly subscriptions. Interested? DM me w/your email address!
ashortstorylong.substack.com
❤️ Thanks for the recommendation here!
Also, I enjoyed how you shared your draft here. Keep going with that novel-in-progress!
I'm thrilled to share my story, "The Free Throw Shooter," published on Short Story, Long by the greatest of editors, @aaronburch.bsky.social, with illustrations I LOVE by @jiksuncheung.bsky.social.
I hope you read it and if you do I hope you like it.
ashortstorylong.substack.com/p/the-free-t...
Same, @jiksuncheung.bsky.social! Nice to connect here!
