Roundup Redux

I’ve got some links, a contest, and some thoughts for you.

First off, the second issue of The Collagist has been released–I don’t know how long ago, it’s the September issue, I just happened to look.  Along with some excellent fiction and poetry, there’s a review of Josh Weil’s The New Valley, a book I’ve recommended to others but never read.  More on that in a minute.  In addition to their new issue, The Collagist has a flash fiction contest starting up.  There’re fees attached, but they pay, as well.

Second.  In the spirit of this being something of a place for writers, I want to use my wide interwebs to haul forth catches like this: Edan Lepucki’s short essay at The Millions, about time spent at the Ucross writer’s retreat.  Applications for Ucross’ fall session are due next March.

Third, Sonya Chung reviews Everyman’s Rules for Scientific Living, and she compares it to Marilynne Robinson’s Housekeeping, which ought to be enough reason for all of us to add it to our carts, yes?

Last, brought to my attention by The Rumpus, is an essay on pop-culture/Americana/the self, written by Dana Vachon. It’s an interesting idea, that our culture is not the I-nurturing beast it seems to be, but rather one that destroys the I and turns it into an amorphous and ravenous You.  We’re so empty, so hungry to begin with, that we eat whatever’s before us.  That alone wouldn’t be so bad if we weren’t told by the hand that feeds that what we are eating is manna.