Monday, February 15, 2010

New Mailbag, Monday, February 15, 2010

What do you reckon? Time for a new one?

1,745 comments:

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Jasmine Sawers said...

Hey, K. Peaquah, congrats on the publication!

zenithapproach said...

Hi all, I'm a longtime lurker but the more I think about it, the more I think plan b is for us to all move to a low-cost place in a giant group, inspire each other, work some, and just write for another year...see what happens...

herglands said...

@ (1) Read James Joyce's Ulysses (finally!).

We are funny today.

Kendra said...

@ Jasmine: Thanks so much - that's very sweet.

@ zenithapproach: Like a commune? :-)

MommyJ said...

@Chrissy, you made me hyperventilate!!! Amherst=SOON.

On the good news front, my daughter got her fat envelope today (undergrad) for Hartwick College ... her first acceptance out of five applications. And they offered her a four-year president's scholarship! Yippeeeeee!!!!!! She is SOOOO happy. And I'm not far behind.

Hopefully we'll have two acceptances to celebrate this weekend ...

Now, back to grading Comp 2 papers. Ergh.

Caleb said...

@ AB

I applied to the MFA in fiction, although I wish I had applied to the PhD. Still waiting to hear from CSU, Arizona State, Iowa, Michigan, Virginia Commonwealth, and LSU. Could be a long month!

I really, really hope it's good news that you haven't got the email yet. Although, I have to say, your Plan B is impressive!

Plan B for me is to move to Kansas City, work a crappy job, continue to submit to lit mags, and apply for next year. Plan C is to milk some contact I have in China and teach English there. We'll see.

Ashley Brooke said...

Rose, congrats on the news from Wyoming! K. Peaquah, thanks for your help! Taiwan was very exciting to me before I got these crazy MFA ideas in my head. *If* I don't get in anywhere this year, I could use some advice and surely get excited about it again since it is still something I want to do. Also thank you Eli for reassuring me that I can apply for abroad as easily... just with more money!

YARebels,
I want to do The Amazing Race too! I just need a partner and some kind of claim to fame, since apparently now you need to be a Q-list celebrity. I need a book first.

Ashley Brooke said...

Caleb,
Seth said some years that don't even accept anyone into the phD, with 1-2 as the maximum. Yikes! I figured if you were a PhD applicant it could explain why you've heard and I haven't! Nopes. I keep checking my e-mail and all I see is my top e-mail from Victoria's Secret saying "An Exclusive Invitation for Our Best Customers Only…" I am not one of their best customers. lies lies lies lies lies!

I vote for China as your Plan B, because it is most similar to my Plan B. :)

Unknown said...

I might just start jogging in one direction and keep going, Forrest Gump style. Maybe if they see me on TV, all my programs will be like, "Damn. What a winner. How could we have turned her down?"

Kendra said...

@ Ashley Brooke: I didn't FedEx anything, which initially left me wondering if everything made it. I've checked, and it did. Also, someone else who applied from abroad mentioned that they simply had their Mom (in the US) print off all their stories and statements and stuff them into envelopes. Another option.

My advice: DO NOT let application troubles stand in between you and living abroad. Not the good kind of compromise.

Dr. James McSaddle said...

My Plan B: A Hemingway Asprin.

I challenge you to make your Plan B a Six Word Story.

Raine said...

Regarding calls: I've called Minnesota twice this morning but no one has answered. Anyone else waiting for Minnesota want to give it a try? Like phillywriter, I get anxious making phone calls of all types.

With all this talk of continuing on and Plan B, perhaps this is the time to link to Failure: An Appreciation. I read it the other day and found it comforting. Choice quote: "Because failing as an artist is a necessary thing, a thing I wish I could more easily accept."

herglands said...

I made us a reddit:

http://www.reddit.com/r/MFA/

amanda said...

This song goes out to my fellow MFA'ers looking for a little love from their programs:

http://lala.com/z55nI

Kate said...

Hey everyone:

While we're killing some time before we are all accepted at UMASS Amherst (they changed their rules, and all mfa bloggers get in :)!), enjoy this adorableness that should cheer you up even if you're feeling down! THE cutest kittens being a-freakin'-dorable: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1dpQKntj_w

Hope you all enjoy, and good luck everyone!

Ashley Brooke said...

K. Peaquah,
Thanks! Don't worry, it wouldn't stop me, if just makes it less appealing than, say... getting in this year! :)

zenithapproach said...

@ P.K
why not!

I just realized how creepy that comment was out of the blue...but hey, I knew some people who moved in to write together, work and do nothing else...not sure what happened in the middle of it all but eight years later, novels are being published..

Eli said...

Ashley, um, it was just me being feckless and insanely neurotic. If I'd applied in good time, I could have sent my stuff normal mail from abroad for a lot less moolah, but I was pushing it for deadlines.

Woon1 said...

@ Ashley Brooke -- you should do Taiwan. The city of Taipei is very modern with a very user-friendly (tourist-friendly) mass transit system. One card gives you access to bus and subway. If you find a nice and cozy apartment, you could get a lot of writing done. Plus, your work will be infused with some Asian subtext, thus earning you bonus points with MFA AdComs. And you could write about it in your SOP (or Personal Statement), something along the lines of "During the past two years, I grew up in Taiwan. it was a personal journey, nay personal odyssey, of self-discovery. blah blah blah..."

If you want to visit Rome or Athens, I can give you some advice there as well.

zenithapproach said...

oops.

Sorry K. Peaquah

I meant to abbreviate K. P

think they give you points on the apps for making it past dyslexia?!

herglands said...

I am mostly a lurker but seriously, I made us a reddit. I am posting my favorite writing-related links there... you don't have to "sign up" in any intrusive way.



http://www.reddit.com/r/MFA/

the duchess said...

@amanda

haha - back to the MFA playlist - here are two '80s gems for all of us in MFA limbo:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_Yx0X-eHn8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BR4cR9CeLi0

Ashley Brooke said...

Eli,
thanks! I would have to send super-early, I suspect, because I fear the long journey of pieces of paper that can so easily fall down elevator shafts.

Woon,
I'm going if I don't get into a program or if I have to turn down an offer for financial reasons.
All this encouragement is making the process a little bit less scary. If I don't make it, I'm still going to have a great year! Yay for SOP fodder.

many many birdies said...

@ Jasmine: I have Celiac! In fact, that's the only reason why I bake. I usually HATE cooking, but when I was diagnosed a few years ago, I found I couldn't give up cookies, cake, etc, so I learned to bake. That's why I am attempting to perfect the macaroon - although I have many GF cake, etc, recipes I love, I've found that sticking to "naturally GF" recipes often come out especially good.

So, to recap, our collective Plan B Commune is going to have a bakery with Vegan and Gluten-Free specialties? Anyone out there with nut allergies who wants to join in the fun? :)

I am planning to make my own GF chocolate cake for my birthday next week... hope it comes out good...

many many birdies said...

Re: Plan B

My plan b wouldn't be too bad - I already have a job a love, time to write, a wonderful apartment and good friends & family all around. And I'm not opposed to the IDEA of applying again, even though financially it will be a bit painful.

However, one of my concerns is if I could really make my application qualitatively different in less than a year. My peripheral application things - transcripts, GREs, recommendations - are all solid, so if I don't get in I can feel 100% certain that it's my writing sample and maybe my SOP. I like to think I can improve my writing sample in a year, but I would probably only have time to take one writing class between knowing of all my rejections and next year's application deadline - I wonder if that would really be enough to push me into a different category, writing-wise.

Also, would it be a mistake to apply next year with the same recommendations? Because I have been out of undergrad for several years, and I don't want to tell my work that I'm thinking of leaving them until I actually know I'm leaving, getting good letters of recommendation is difficult. Is it not ok to use the same ones two years in a row? If I have to get three new ones, I can't see how I could apply next year - I would have to take a couple of classes and get profs to write letters for me, and I can't possibly squeeze more than one class in between now and next January.

For those of you who applied in years back-to-back, how did you handle this? Did you just focus on improving your writing sample, or did you change your entire application?

amanda said...

@ Everyone:

I have no Plan B. I've been living my Plan B for the last 5 years and it involved a whole other master's program in a different field. My hope was that by applying to 17 schools and having no life from September-January while I worked on applications, I wouldn't need one.

:D

Chrissy Widmayer said...

Can we combine all our Plan Bs and do a reality show where we travel around the world and live in one big house together in different countries each week, writing, baking, and competing in silly challenges?

Sounds good to me.

My real plan B is to try again next year, and continue working at my job. Maybe I'll move to South America and volunteer for a year, or something. Or do Americorps. Woo fun.

Corey Haydu said...

thanks to everyone gutsy enough to call these schools and give us updates! Even if I HATE some of the answers.... New School in March?? Ugh. According to TSE it usually notifies in February.

Seems like all my NYC-based schools (including sarah lawrence, which would also allow me to stay in my apartment) aren't notifying until march. clearly they want me to lose my mind this month....

many many birdies said...

Oh, and another question, since there's been some talk about book publications and lit mag publications...

When you tell non-writers that you're a writer, do they immediately ask you if you've had anything published? People ALWAYS ask me this, and it really bothers me, because I feel like it implies I'm not a "real" writer until I've published.

And now that I have a good number of publications under my belt, I find once I can say "yes" to their first obnoxious question, the SECOND question everyone asks is "Where have you been published? Any place good?" And I want to be like, uh, unless you read lit mags, nothing you've ever heard of! Seriously. Who reads even the big-name lit journals except for other writers, and maybe a small handful of academics? So it seems like until I get a poem in the freakin New Yorker, no one is going to be satisfied with my answer to question #2.

It annoys me because when someone else states their employment to me, I don't ask them follow-up questions to try and determine if they're a "REAL" banker/lawyer/teacher, etc.

Woon1 said...

I think it's very important for everyone to have crap jobs. Lends credibility when you write sentences like the following:

"I have a crap job."

Victoria Schwab said...

@megan I get this question A LOT. And no matter what stage you are, you'll get it and people won't be satisfied with your answer. I relish the fact I can say "yes", but it only spawns a whole new line of questioning! The question I get more than any other: How much did you pay your publisher/agent? As if you can just buy (reputable) publication credit.

Most people outside the writing community don't understand the process, or the difficulties, or the fact that once a book sells it doesn't go straight to shelf. They don't understand 90% of the doors you have to get keys to.

Woon1 said...

When people ask me what I do for a living, I usually want to tell them it's none of their business. But I'm a good-natured fellow with a cheery disposition, so I usually tell them I'm a grad student. (I dress like one, too!) They leave me alone after that because students are inconsequential to real life people.

Once, I told someone I owned a boat that took tourists/fishermen out to the open sea for recreational fishing because I happened to be working on a short story where my lead character was the captain of said boat.

Coughka said...

Megan,

I applied to three programs last year and got three rejections. I found this and Seth's blog halfway through the process and didn't follow his advice to apply to 10-12 programs.

My manuscript was the problem last cycle. I have good recommendations and grades from a top-10 university, a strong GRE, etc.

But my manuscript was mediocre. I spent a year writing, bought the MFA Handbook, researched the advice here and elsewhere, and am now applying to 13 programs.

Salt in the wound: my old SOP began, 'I always wanted to be a writer...'

Kendra said...

No worries to anyone misspelling my screen name - it's a childhood nickname, and I'm not even sure I'm spelling it right.

MFAguy said...

For entertainment's sake, what do you guys and gals reckon the publication ratio is between poets and prose writers.

Is having 10 poems published in various lit journals equal to one full-length story or essay?

Poets, it seems, always appear to have more credits to their name. This may just be a perception! (?)

nattyish said...

@megan

Use that as an opportunity to talk up whatever lit mags you've gotten published in, and make whoever you're talking to feel stupid for not knowing them so that hopefully they'll buy a copy. The more people who buy lit mags, the better it is for all of us!

Chelsea said...

@Megan

Your mention of questioning your writing one year later is something I've mulled over too.

Basically, when you break it down, the app process takes about 9-10 months out of your year. So you find our you're rejected mid-March, and you'll be (ideally) resending apps out that Nov/December. 9 months isn't (in my opinion) a lot of time to do a huge revamp of your work. That's a reason I'm hesitant to jump back in and reapply back to back. Because, I'm wondering, how much could things change for you in 9 months? Surely, your writing's improved but I'm not sure if for me, it would be enough to get me the acceptances I might need.

Anyone here who decided to take a year off between app seasons? I'm wondering if you chose to do this so there's more time for writing and improvement, or maybe $$ was an issue? Just wondering, in general, I should say.

Coughka said...

If you can answer yes to the question below, you should apply.

Does your writing excite you?

Kevin said...

I took a year off. The turn around is way too fast, and the chance of getting wholly rejected again seemed too great. I didn't think I could take it.

So far, I've gotten a friendly e-mail from a program, so it looks like it's going to work out this time. Well, I hope.

I think if you're getting waitlists and don't end up getting in anywhere, it'd make sense to give it another go right away though, because you know you're right there. But in my opinion, and having gone through it, taking a step back and reevaluating where you're at might be a good idea if you go 0-14 or something. It's obviously a personal decision though.

Unknown said...

@ meredith
your forrest gump comment made me seriously do one of those half-breathed laughs in the libe.
My plan B? Right now I'm EIC of two of my university's publications (because i'm a lunatic and decided I could do both and take 18 hours), and I'm hoping that I can fall back on that if need be... find someone willing to take me under their precious, feathery wings and teach me the ways of the world.
it's funny, because I'm a journalism minor, and if you looked at the stuff I've had published, it's all literary journ/mag articles, which makes me kinda anxious.. kinda like, all my friends and teachers who say my poetry's good are really just lying to me and I'm an idiot for leaving journalism in the dust for something I suck at.
Such is life.
In other news, Anyone excited about upcoming readers coming to their schools/ venue? We have Mary Roach coming tomorrow... I'm baking brownies and some other chick is bringing capri suns... I think it's gonna be awesome.

Kendra said...

@ Megan: I think the most important thing I've learned in the 4 years I've been out of undergrad is how to edit my own work. "How" I write and "what" I write about hasn't changed all that much. But I'm learning to clean it up and make it clear. If the bones of some of your stories are solid, then perhaps it's more about really refining how your writing comes across than totally re-inventing yourself.

SamStod said...

@k This is where I think publishing comes in handy for a way of testing the waters for your sample. If they come back with a lot of 'no's, then there is probably something that needs to be done with them.

Victoria Schwab said...

See, this is something I've been thinking about a lot as well. I just don't see my writing changing anytime soon, and I've had that outside validation of it being good, which means I can only hope it's all of YOU guys and the extreme competitiveness of the pool this year.

Dr. James McSaddle said...

U. of Michigan Friend Account:

Does anyone know about this thing called "Redomended For Admission"? I guess it's different than actually being admitted. According to the page for the Rackham School it's a status that means the program (In our case, M.F.A., Dept of Creative Writing) has reccomended you for admission and then the Graduate School evaluates your credentials to verify that you qualify.

Has anyone applied to U. Michigan before?

Chrissy Widmayer said...

@James McSaddle

Where does it say you're recommended for admission? Is it on your account?

Generally, that's what happens, though. The department recommends you, and then the grad school accepts you, and you're in. I don't know though. You should know for sure in the next couple days.

Victoria Schwab said...

James, where did it tell you that you were recommended?

Chrissy Widmayer said...

YAR and I are both dying to hear back from Michigan.....I'm suddenly nervous.

Victoria Schwab said...

I don't see those words anywhere in my friend account :(

Chrissy Widmayer said...

Me neither. I'm just going to tough it out though. Wait until we figure out what's going on. And, who knows? They could be working through them still, adding the "recommendations."

Chrissy Widmayer said...

YAR, are you refreshing the page as much as I am? Let's keep hopeful. I think I may need to leave my computer.

Dr. James McSaddle said...

I guess this is what I get for relying on memory.

From The Page: 1. The graduate program: The graduate program will send a letter or an e-mail to inform you that you have been recommended to Rackham for admission. The graduate program will then communicate their decision to Rackham. Your status on the Web Application status page will remain 'Applicant' at this point. Contact the program for information regarding when decisions will be available.

Nevermind! Even IF any of us are accepted, there will be nothing on the Friend Account to tell us. I guess I am a lame-ass for checking it every day.

Morgan said...

all I see on my friend account is my application number, my name, and other things I already knew...

What's happening???

Morgan said...

whew.

Chrissy Widmayer said...

GOSH that was nerve-wracking for a second. Glad to know you were just asking a general question, James, not seeing an acceptance on the page!

I called Michigan this morning. We'll know by early next week.

Victoria Schwab said...

But has anyone actually gotten this mythical email notification yet?

And this means I can stop refreshing my Rackham page, yes?

Woon1 said...

I think you're getting your info from:

http://rackham.helpserve.com/index.php?_m=knowledgebase&_a=viewarticle&kbarticleid=172

It's generic to everyone. My guess is that they'll contact us, not update the Wolverine Access application status.

Chrissy Widmayer said...

If I can trust what I'm reading, NO ONE has gotten the mythical unicorn of an email from Michigan. They WILL email us if accepted. I trust the woman I talked to this morning.

Whew. I've stopped refreshing the page, YAR. Deep breaths.

Victoria Schwab said...

It's probably indicative of my madness that my Michigan was my "safe" school. I am f@#%ed.

Dr. James McSaddle said...

My bad folks, I passed my incessant and perpetual panic attack on to all of you. I hope you all get in so long as I get in.

Victoria Schwab said...

In case you need a little mindless distraction after that little panic:

http://armorgames.com/play/3614/crush-the-castle

Chrissy Widmayer said...

@YARebels Michigan was your SAFE school? It's totally on the top of my list and I don't expect to get in. It's one of the best programs, yes? And did you apply in fiction or poetry?

Chrissy Widmayer said...

Or, for further fun and distraction (and calming influence), puppies.

http://www.ustream.tv/SFShiba#more

Victoria Schwab said...

@Chrissy haha the point is I don't have ANY safe schools lol. I thought of Michigan as safe (though it's in my top 3) only bc they took the most people, though seeing the number of applicants THAT was a misguided notion lol. Oh dear.

I'm a fiction girl :p

Chrissy Widmayer said...

@YAR well, at least we're not competing against each other. Poetry all the way! Haha. I also applied (elsewhere) in Creative Nonfiction, which is actually my first choice genre (though schools vary, since Michigan is my #3).

Hannah said...

Oh man, we are crazy today...

Victoria Schwab said...

@Chrissy I'm glad we're not competing. I was us BOTH the best of luck!!!

I think between waiting on an email from my agent, waiting on notes from my editor, and waiting on these schools, I'm going to break the refresh button.

Victoria Schwab said...

@Hannah

Just wait. It will get worse. First week of March people will be eating pain off the walls and binge-drinking in the AM.

Chrissy Widmayer said...

@YAR You'll make it. It'll be okay. I'm sending good vibes your way. Take a break from waiting and watch those puppies at the link I posted. Haha. A good way to relax. I, meanwhile, am taking a break from this blog...for my health, of course.

jessicaestone said...

As an NYC-er who can't bake for shit, I would just like to say that I fully support all the Plan Bs that involve moving here and opening a goody shop. I have yet to meet a baked good with a name too cool to eat.

I guess that means my Plan B is to stay here and get fat?

MommyJ said...

@MFA Guy, as far as poems to story ratio, you can get listed at Poets&Writers if you have a certain number of accrued points through publication. You need (i think) a total of 12 points. A book=12, a chapbook=6, a story=3, a poem=2. But you have to have 12 points per genre. Thus, I am listed as a poet but not a fiction writer, as I have a bunch of published poems but only three published stories.

Victoria Schwab said...

I feel like I'm refreshing my inbox here out of some residual panic..

MommyJ I didn't know that! Fascinating.

Franny said...

@Amanda:

INXS!!! It's like a feel-good road trip in a single sound bite. Thanks, girl. And congrats for the millionth time.

MFAguy said...

Hey thanks,

Hmm, let me see: I have 3 stories and 2 creative nonfiction essays and 1 play published. Not sure I qualify yet! Does the listing give you any benefits?

Victoria Schwab said...

@Noono Ha seriously. My whole writing community (about 700 strong) knows, and they do nothing but ask me and make generic "oh you know you'll get in!" statements that make me want to cry.

Franny said...

@YARebels: I actually want to die when someone says "Oh, you'll get in!". In my head I launch into this terrifying assault, ie: No, I actually *probably* won't!! Class sizes are diminutive and application pools are enormous and I didn't apply to enough schools and if you say that EVER again, I'll spin like a f*cking top!!

But I usually don't let it escape my mouth. Usually.

weighswithwords said...

@Courtney -- I hear you! Got this in my inbox this morning:

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to read "Easter Monday." We found the writing lively and interesting and enjoyed reading it. After careful consideration, we've decided this manuscript isn't right for us, but please consider sending other work in the future.

This is not our customary rejection. We hope you'll keep us in mind.

Kind regards,

The Editors


...Not exactly the offer from Michigan I was hoping to see.

Victoria Schwab said...

Yeah, having people not understand anything about how hard it is to get in, and not seem to understand that there's a VERY good chance I won't get in anywhere, is frustrating and depressing.

Sarah said...

@Noono & YA

I feel the same way...

And it's actually worse with my non-writer friends, who continuously ask me if I've heard back from places. I tell them no, that I am still waiting to hear. They tell me, "Oh, I'm sure you'll get in, I mean, your GPA and GRE scores are really good!"

When I try to explain to them that, really, GPA and GRE don't matter for MFA programs, and that in all likelihood I won't get in anywhere, they go, "Wow, well if you don't get in, what are you going to do next year?"

Great, thank you friends. :P

Victoria Schwab said...

@Franny that is my EXACT reply to people! They get one "we'll just have to see" and if they continue, they get the rant.

weighswithwords said...

Any fiction writers at all get notified by CSU?

Victoria Schwab said...

@Sarah @Noono @Franny

The WORST are my followers/"fans" <--I can't bring myself to use that word seriously yet, bc I feel like I'm totally letting them down by not being good enough. I just wish people would stop making hugely generalized and optimistic statements!!

Franny said...

@YA: And it's an interesting two-sided coin because the MFA application process is neither easier for those with sterling academic records, nor does it reward them.

On a positive note, I'm going to focus positive energy on my success, starting...NOW. Ok, now. Seriously, starting right - NOW.

Sarah said...

re: CSU fiction notifications

Nope, nothing here, I don't know about anyone else...?

Woon1 said...

@weighswithwords -- I think CSU is imminent. I don't know how imminent but it's imminent. It could be days, it could be weeks. I think some people may know from GNEs (Good News Emails) and that's why they know it's imminent. Others without GNEs will be pleasantly surprised. This is not the official word. Just what I know. ;)

Victoria Schwab said...

Positive vibes here.

Franny said...

@YA

My poor, loving boyfriend is a tenured philosopher and he likes to attempt to draw comparisons between his experience and mine. He's learned not to after being verbally stabbed by me. Not the same, pal.

A. Astur A. said...

@YAR - I have to sympathize with you on the "Oh, I know you'll get in" response. I hate it. First of all, it denies how incredibly difficult it is to get accepted into one of these programs. Secondly (and this one kills me), if you are lucky enough to get into one of these schools, that response totally ignores what an outstanding achievement that is. The person inevitably says something like, "Oh well I knew you would get in." Really? Did you know?

And that is my mini-rant for you. ;-)

Franny said...

I'm wafting positivity at you, YARebels. Waft. Waft.

Ashley Brooke said...

Oh now I'm watching YARebels on youtube and I feel a little bit like a voyer. But she has some interesting things to say and now I am occupied for a short period of time. Thank you!

Victoria Schwab said...

A. Astur A. Agreed 100%

Franny, I feel the positive air blowing this way!!

weighswithwords said...

@Woon -- Thanks! One more question: have there been other GNEs besides the email from Student Financial Services?

As was noted somewhere, I think that one just follows the submission of your FAFSA.

Victoria Schwab said...

Haha @Ashley Brooke I'm the Wednesday Rebel :) There's 7 of us.

Ashley Brooke said...

OH WAIT THESE ARE MULTIPLE PEOPLE. I'm confused now.

Ashley Brooke said...

Ok! That is the one I was watching! Yay! :)

Victoria Schwab said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Woon1 said...

@weighswithwords - Yes, there have been other GNEs other than the one from Student Financial Services. But even if you didn't get these GNEs, it doesn't mean you won't be accepted. I think it's still wide open. Again, I don't speak for the official gatekeeper. I'm just a swimmer in these waters.

Amy said...

What are these vids you speak of? I wanna see my future-bakery-owner friend in live action!

amanda said...

@ pencore: ohmygoodness, will you please post the recipe for your Why Can't We All Just Get Along Muffin?

@ Franny: Thanks! And yeah that INXS came up on Pandora today on my Cure station (seriously, had to have a cure to get through all this obsessing.)

Yesterday, I was blessed with another perfect song for my obsessing:

http://lala.com/zFN

Andrew said...

@Woon

When did these GNEs (in fiction?) from CSU go out? I think I missed those reports.

amanda said...

Also, everyone should come join on ning! We've got 15 now and forums on books, our lists, recipes, submissions, etc. Email me at mandasue at gmail dot com for invite.

Victoria Schwab said...

@pencore :)

http://www.youtube.com/user/YARebels

Victoria Schwab said...

I'm Victoria, aka the Wednesday Rebel lol.

Chelsea said...

I'm close to just wearing a sign around my neck that reads:

- No I didn't get hear yet
- Thank you for the kind words
- You don't have a )$#(*%() clue what you're talking about

Unsure whether this would spark more conversation or whether it'd have desired effect.

Woon1 said...

Re. YARebel's video -- Mmmm. Banana cake. Yum. Also, I got a bit frightened when she pointed at me while holding up two liquor bottles. I don't like people pointing in my direction because, you know, it's like a missile guidance system.

koru said...

@YARebel ... I seriously want to end up in whatever program you end up in! Your baking obsession sounds brilliant!

Oh, and amazing kitchen there... your kitchen is the size of my entire flat, i think!

Woon1 said...

I don't know why but I assumed YARebel was from Mississippi and would have a thick Southern accent. A whole bunch of "Hey, y'all"s and "Howdy!"s.

Chrissy Widmayer said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sarah said...

My capacity for rational thought continues to diminish with every passing day. I think I’ve just about reached rock bottom.

Case in point:

I am sitting in class and my mom calls (from my home phone number), and I have to reject her call. I talk to my mom about ten times a day, so a phone call from her is in no way unusual. But after rejecting the call, my thought process goes something like this:

-Did I give Amherst my home phone number?
-Yes, yes, I think I did… (Really, I have no idea if this is true)
-Shoot! I’m sure they called my house and told my mom I was accepted, and now she is calling to tell me the good news!
-Yes, of course that has to be it!!

I leave class ten minutes early so I can call her back. “Mom, what is it??!!” I practically scream into the phone. Needless to say, it was something trivial, not the news I was hoping for. :(

Yep, definitely going insane.

Chrissy Widmayer said...

@Sarah

Right after I read your comment, my phone rang, and I about died because it was across the room and I was like, "It could be UMass!" It wasn't. It was my sister. Gah, we're so on edge.

Amy said...

re: Phone ringing

It's the spa. To remind me of my lip waxing appt on Friday.

jessicaestone said...

@chelsea - brilliant. let me know if it works for you - if so, i'm thinking of printing it on a tee shirt.

Justin Bendell said...

@ Rose

Congrats on the Wyoming waitlist! I'm in the same boat.

Sud said...

Carlow University acceptance, today, February 17, by email!

daffron mastrangelo said...

subscribing...

Franny said...

Everyone,

Heed Amanda's advice. Get on the Ning group. It's slightly more real in a strange way.

Oh! And I got my first this-unknown-out-of-area-number-could-be-an-acceptance-call fake out last night. My face turned crimson. Alas, a Spanish recorded message ensued. WTF? Made me want to shake a baby.

Good luck, friends!

And YARebels, don't think I'm not going to check your YouTube self out when I've got more time. Yessssssss.

Victoria Schwab said...

Haha my studio mates in undergrad DEF benefitted from my baking obsession :p and no, I am not Southern. My mom is British, and I used to have an English accent, but now I just have no accent :*( And it's my family's kitchen, not mine! I am at home for my year between undergrad and whatever's next, saving up money lol. I'm quite fond of the kitchen though, my favorite place to write/procrastinate/obsess :p

MelonHead said...

Oh man, no New School news until March? The agony of waiting will never end!

re: Plan Bs, I admit I sort of jumped into this MFA idea rather quickly and without much forethought, after an epiphany sometime in August. It just seemed like the correct answer to fix where I was in my life and my unhappiness, so I just assumed if I applied to a handful of programs, of course I'd get in. Not that I thought I was that great, probably the opposite, but I was just so sold on the idea of this new iteration of me that not getting in just didn't seem possible, if that makes any sense. Until, of course, I began realizing the very basic truths to pursuing a creative writing MFA, namely the selectivity of the schools, the huge number of applicants, the slapdash qualities of my manuscript and what it actually takes to get in.

So, even though I've yet to hear back from any of my schools, I've finally started thinking about Plan B, which right now seems to be spend another year in waiting mode, fixing up my manuscript and trying again.

Good things come to those who wait, right?

Emily S. said...

@Chrissy

Sorry if you already made this clear, but did you call Arizona or Arizona State?

Chrissy Widmayer said...

@Emily S

I called University of Arizona. NOT Arizona State.

jessicaestone said...

If you feel like having a good-natured laugh at the IWW, here ya go. Hysterically random. Amazing what Google searches can do to lighten the mood.

http://iowawritersworkshopistotallycorrupt.blogspot.com/

Ali Haider said...

Chrissy, I wish we shared more programs than just Michigan! I'm glad you called about them, but now I can't help but wonder what the other schools would say about admission notices. I am notoriously bad on the phone. I wouldn't even know how to phrase my question to them.

amanda said...

Thanks, Franny! I'm glad people are liking it.

On a related note, I just posted my portfolio up there. Please, guys, don't leave me hanging! Join me so I have stuff to read this weekend.

Stegner reading in less than 5 hours! Wish you all could come with me.

Andrea said...

Congrats, Sud! Any cool info to share about Carlow? I don't know much about it.

I just got off the phone with Northern Michigan's MA director and have been offered a spot in their program! It's a two-year, funded spot with TA stipend. I'm beyond giddy right now. This gives me hope that I may actually be accepted in an MFA somewhere, and if not, I am really excited about NMU! The woman I spoke with was really warm and friendly. I'm walkin' on sunshine, woah woah woah! (Have I mentioned my love for bad '80's music?)

Stay positive, friends. Even this life-long pessimist can attest to the fact that good things CAN happen.

MFAguy or Nick McCrae:

I stupidly forgot to ask if the spot included a tuition waiver or at least an out-of-state waiver. Can either of you answer this for me? Thanks in advance.

kaybay said...

Congrats, Digapony!! Stipend too! Awesome :) Good thing with an MA is that you can always do an MFA afterward.

Chrissy Widmayer said...

@sahaider

In hopes of empowering you to call your other programs (because it really does make me feel so much better knowing when/how I'll be notified), I'll give you the little script I used (I'm terrible on the phone, too. Nervous, everything.)

"Hi, I applied to your MFA in (genre) and I was wondering when and how you'll be notifying accepted applicants."

Usually they'd say they were sending out letters in March, or whatever, and I'd ask, "Is that the only way you notify? Because I know some programs email or call their accepted students, and then send a letter to everyone else."

And if they said something about "usually" or "typically" they notify by x date, I'd ask, "Are they on track for x date?"

And that's it! All done, quick, and easy! All bases covered as best we can!

It's so worth it to call. Even if they're vague. At least you know they haven't already offered all the spots to other people!

Sequoia N said...

@Chelsea

Re: revamping work

Well, if you're writing through the app season (or at least reading heavily), you'll have more than 9 months to improve your work/ try something new. Even 1 or 2 months can mean a HUGE difference in writing quality depending on the writer/how the time was spent reading & writing/all the magical factors that come into play. If you're reading a lot and writing a lot, there's no way that someone can't improve even by leaps and bounds. A lot of people here already notice that their new work is much better than their portfolio sample - just the way it goes. And by the time app season rolls around again this "new" work, will probably be considered weak.

@ Sam Stod

Literary journal rejections/acceptances have little bearing on MFA acceptances or rejections imho. If a faculty member doesn't like your story (or vice versa), that's that. There are folks that apply with stories that have been published in reputable (and even top) journals and still get rejected. Last year, all three of my stories were published (one in a well-regarded national journal, another in a mid-tier journal and another in an anthology) and didn't have any takers (at least complete takers). While response from editors at journals MIGHT give you an idea of how your story (or stories) will be received, this is just the opinion of 1-5 more people who have their own biases/aesthetic tendencies etc (not to mention that the selection process at journals is complicated by other factors that have nothing to do with program admissions). As I said, if a faculty member doesn't connect with your story, publication is going to matter very little.

Sequoia N said...

Congrats, Digapony!

Ali Haider said...

Your script is tremendous! I need that sort of thing. I called Iowa and was a fumbling fool. Luckily, I didn't give them my name, so they don't know whose application to throw out :)

koru said...

@ Dig Congrats!!! :-)

@ Sud, congrats as well!

kaybay said...

I agree with Wandering Tree. I'm one of those people who feels that the last two stories I've written or am writing are better than what I sent in this year. It kind of makes me feel like I wasted $1000 (a LOT of money for me, btw), but it also makes me feel confident about the future. I think I'll be writing even better in the next couple of months.

WT is also right though, that just because I think it's better doesn't mean it will get accepted at a lit mag or at a top-tier program next year. It's all subjective. Not necessarily a "crap shoot," just highly subjective. Wandering Tree is an amazing writer without a friggin' acceptance yet (YET!) and that alone is proof that this process is so subjective. Poop!

Ben McClendon said...

@DigAPony

Congratulations! What great news!

No disrespect to your recent conversion to the Cult of Optimism™, but as a stolid pessimist I can attest that we are aware of good things happening. It's just that they only happen to other people. I'm glad you're one of them. =)

Brandy Colbert said...

congrats to sud and digapony!

Kendra said...

@ WanderingTree: I agree with you, and I think SamStod was saying the same thing essentially. Publications don't matter, of course, but they should give you a gauge of how people respond to your writing. Just to use my own humble example - I sent my story out to seven places, and got accepted at one. That pretty much sounds like MFA odds to me.

I think we can all agree that Adcomm committees are similar to literary journal editors in that they're bringing their own tastes and aesthetics to the table. You just have to hit the right desk at the right moment.

Chrissy Widmayer said...

@sahaider

It's good for me to have a script. I always work to think of what I'm going to say before I call anyone. And by the time I called six schools, I had it down pat.

I actually called Iowa twice the other day. I was so nervous the first time that I fumbled through it and hung up before getting all my questions answered. Then called again and asked better questions. You'll be okay!!

Gooooood luck!!

MFAguy said...

Hey Digapony, well done!

Yup it comes with a tuition waiver!

dear memo magazine said...

looks like no amherst today perhaps tomorrow i am so scared of going on here to see people get calls from umass and i wont - not to say i wont be happy for anyone who gets in!!

Caleb said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kerry Headley said...

Email acceptance to George Mason in CNF!!!!! Just a couple minutes ago. Must freak out now...

Caleb said...

@ jessicaestone

I laughed so hard at that blog you linked. Thank you! This shit is totally awesome! and corrupt.

Everyone else, please use this link to alleviate waiting. You can read while your cookies are in the oven.

http://iowawritersworkshopistotallycorrupt.blogspot.com/

Victoria Schwab said...

Ha this site does keep letters and notifications from becoming surprises, that's for sure.I'm going to be a MESS when people start getting their Michigan emails. You all bore witness to what WashU's notices did to me! Oh dear. I should stock up on cupcakes and cheap vodka...

Chrissy Widmayer said...

@Kerry Headley

Congrats! I wonder if they're done making offers? The woman told me today that they weren't, and they just forwarded my application to committee yesterday. But I want to know so badly! I applied in CNF, too!

Connnngrats!

Andrea said...

Thanks for your congrats, all, and MFAguy, thanks for the excellent info!

@ Xataro

Oh man, a trademarked Cult of Optimism? You always make me chuckle. I'm looking at it as karmic payback.

@ Kerry Headley

Congratulations on George Mason! I always enjoy your posts (and your blog as well!) and am genuinely excited and happy to hear such good news for you. You will make it out of that Portland cloud yet.

Also, sorry that my earlier post was so blatheringly (not a word, oh well) happy/optimistic. I'm paranoid that it came across as insensitive- if so, my apologies!

Brandy Colbert said...

congrats kerry!! so excited for you!

Hannah said...

congrats digapony and kerry!!

Woon1 said...

That blog on the IWW being totally corrupt was hilarious!

"I mean, there's not a day I can imagine that it wasn't more corrupt than it was yesterday, or the day before any such day in question."

Pure silliness. Of course, the blog doesn't give reasons for its conclusion that IWW is corrupt, just that it is. And repeating the word "corrupt" (and its variations) is conclusive enough that it is indeed corrupt.

jessicaestone said...

I plan on that being my answer for every school that rejects me.

"This shit is totally corrupt."

Hell, I might even use it for acceptances.

Kendra said...

Congrats Kerry - that is great news!

Lauren said...

Congratulations Digapony!!!

Congratulations Kerry!!!

You guys both are super awesome and I am so happy for you!!!

koru said...

@Kerry, congrats! :-)


Just saw this on my iGoogle homepage ... WikiHow of the Day ... How to make Vegan Banana Muffins.

http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Vegan-Banana-Muffins

For some reason, i immediately thought of this crowd! :-P

Kate said...

Just received a voicemail from UMASS Amherst asking me to schedule an interview for a TA position and was notified that the department had accepted me, but that they won't be letting acceptances know until the next couple of days. Good luck to everyone who applied!

Morgan said...

AHHHH KATE!!

AMAZINNNN

you gave me a heartache right about now

kaybay said...

Wow! Congrats Kate, that's amazing!

Kerry Headley said...

@Digapony

Congratulations back at you!! And thanks for reading my blog!! I love it when people let me know they read my blog. Celebrate!

@Sud and Kate

Congratulations! I hope I am not forgetting anyone. I am so out of my body at the moment.

@Chrissy

Thanks! I will let you know if/when I know anything else about Mason and CNF. Good luck!

@Everybody else (especially Lauren)

Thank you so much for the good thoughts! It means so much.

kaybay said...

Kate, what genre are you in?

Kate said...

@Kaybay Poetry. Sorry I forgot, I was excited! Good luck, all! :)

Juliana Paslay said...

Extremely belated: THANK YOU MommyJ and Gena for the congrats on comps! WHEEE!

I have been traveling all day so congrats to everyone who is accepted/waitlisted today! In other news, I am still in the Michener limbo. I'm going to keep telling myself this is a good thing.

A. Astur A. said...

Hi everyone!

I'm sure most of you already use this website but just on the off chance that you don't, I thought I'd share. I've been using it for a while now and it makes submitting for publication soooo much easier!

It's basically a way to organize and mail out your work on the cheap.

http://wordhustler.com

If by chance you haven't heard of the site and you end up signing up for it (it's free), type "bazinfan" in the "Signup code" space and I think you get a free mailing. I'm not sure what they're giving away right now.

Anyhow, just a little encouragement to stop worrying and start writing again for all of you. Not that I'm taking my own advice!

Rose said...

@ Dry Leaves

What genre? I'm in fiction. She said there were only 5 people on the fiction waitlist!

Sam N. said...

Congrats to everyone with acceptances. I haven't been around for a while, so I've missed a lot.

@K. Peaquah Re: Correlation between publication and MFA admittance

Congrats on your publication, Peaquah. You should definitely be proud. I do, however, have to disagree that there is a correlation between publication chances and MFA chances.

You said you submitted to seven places and you were accepted to one. I think you're implying here that this figure 1/7 is indicative of your chances at getting into an MFA. This does not constitute as "odds." If it were your odds, that would mean that if you were to submit your story to 84 magazines you would end up with 12 acceptances. It just really doesn't work that way. What if the one place that's publishing you was the only place you submitted your story? That would make you 1 for 1. Would that mean you if you submitted to 84 magazines you would have 84 acceptances? Obviously not.

As evidenced by many posters here, getting published has no correlation with getting into an MFA. It may help a little, but it doesn't really matter. It's also not indicative of a person's chances either. It does however say that you're probably ready for an MFA. That you have the ability to succeed at that level. But there are a lot of people like that. You have to be good and you have to be lucky. Unfortunately, every year there are people who are only good.

Amanda said...

Hi all,
I've only posted a few times on here, but I've just been accepted to George Mason for CNF (email).

Also, DigAPony: I received my MA from NMU (same as you: applied for mfa, was offered ma). The TAship does include a tuition waiver. If you have any specific questions you can email at lipshamorrissey AT gmail.

Congrats others who've received acceptances today!

Unknown said...

So I guess that's a congrats Kate? (They're calling to notify you that they'll call to notify you of your official acceptance in a few days?) UMass is pretty high up there on the list.

Unknown said...

<---currently harboring a GNE from a school other folks have heard stuff from, too.

Hoping said GNE turns into an acceptance. Going crazy waiting. Somehow that email makes things even more difficult to endure, heh.

Kate said...

@Riah I was confused at first, but after re-listening to the voicemail I determined that yes I had been admitted but that the caller wants to schedule the TA interviews. She said that they won't be notifying for the next couple of days, and she didn't mention if all genres got a call at the same time.

Katie said...

Hurray for all the George Mason admits! I get a little thrill when I hear about CNF acceptances — let's hear it for the nonfictioneers!

Emma said...

Hey --

regarding Michigan, do you guys know how many fiction spots there are?

Not, you understand, that I expect to be taking one. *facepalm*

Congratulations to everyone who's gotten good news, be it acceptance or waitlist, and to everyone who's gotten bad news, I say BAH HUMBUG. They don't deserve you.

Justin Bendell said...

@ Rose

I'm CNF. Hopefully the list is similarly short!

@ Kate

Congrats on UMass!

Morgan said...

UMass, why you ain't call me?

Lucas said...

The IWW is corrupt blog is fairly amusing.

The guy from Brown's blog, however, is hysterical. I don't have the link...google it.

Kate said...

@Morgan I think that I was actually notified really early, and that they won't be doing the calls until the next couple of days. Good luck, do not fret! :)

Chrissy Widmayer said...

@Kate Congrats!!! What genre are you in? Fiction or Poetry?

Kate said...

@Chrissy Poetry.

Chrissy Widmayer said...

@Kate, Sorry just reread the comments. Poetry! Gah! I hope they notify tomorrow so I can know for sure. I'm poetry, too. Congrats again!

Chrissy Widmayer said...

@Kate, Sorry just reread the comments. Poetry! Gah! I hope they notify tomorrow so I can know for sure. I'm poetry, too. Congrats again!

Kendra said...

@ Sam N. et all: Let me just say upfront that I am *not* trying to say that since I was lucky enough to have a story picked up for publication that I think I will (or deserve) to get into an MFA program. I do not think it has any bearing whatsoever - the two are completely mutually exclusive. To that end, I'd rather stop talking about my publication. It's making me self-conscious, and it's really a moot point.

I do see your point about the odds (i.e. submitting to 84 places to get into 12). My main point is simply that several different "committees" (either at schools or magazines) read each story, and you have to connect with the right person at the right time. In that sense, the odds I was referring to were less statistical and more theoretical. Obviously this isn't a probability game.

If you only submit to one magazine or one school, you have just as much of a chance of connecting with the right reader as if you submit to 12 places. 12 people reading the same story will make wildly different decisions about it, much the same as AdComms. I agree with the, "you have to be good and you have to be lucky" mantra.

In my head it seems like we're making the same argument, but if not - jump in. This is fun.

Morgan said...

@ Kate,

Thanks for the reply. I'm poetry, as well, so I just had to let myself panic for a hot minute. But yes, I know these things take time.

Too bad I'm so impatient.

Congrats again! And good luck to you as well, Chrissy! Here's hoping tomorrow is a very good day.

Chrissy Widmayer said...

I'm sending good vibes on our behalves, Morgan. If wishing could make it so!!

Victoria Schwab said...

I think Michigan is taking 10-15 in fiction?

Brandy Colbert said...

@kate and lipsha: congrats!

Brandy Colbert said...

re: michigan, i was just looking this up the other day and the english department admission FAQ says they accept 12 each in poetry and fiction. don't know if that's the case this year, but that section was updated with their 2009 application numbers, so ...

Chrissy Widmayer said...

Congrats to all the George Mason acceptees in CNF!

I'm terrified now because I applied there in CNF! But we'll see. I'm going to take them at their word, because they just emailed me yesterday to say they were forwarding my application review. So...unless they read it today, they must do a more rolling acceptance? I might call tomorrow, just in case.

laura said...

Congrats to all of today's acceptances!

Kerry Headley said...

Congratulations, Lipsha! George Mason's program looks so fabulous to me.

Emma said...

Ah, thanks so much for the info!

I have been lurking guiltily, not contributing out of some misguided superstition, but at this point I'm probably screwed anyway, so HI.

Are any of you having long moments of zen-like acceptance punctuated by waves of intense despair?

*raises hand*

Laura said...

AHH congratulations Kate!

Hannah said...

@Emma:

Despair mode right now! Just started a new Excel sheet, for next year... :)

Brad Smith said...

Wow, what a day!

After suffering for the last 2 1/2 weeks without a word, I received a wait-list from Wyoming yesterday (which I shared on this blog yesterday) and then today...

Got a call from Colorado (Boulder) informing me that I'm in for Poetry with an assistantship.

THEN, an hour later, got a call from UMass (Amherst) notifying me that I'm in for Poetry there too, and that I'll have to interview for an assistantship.

I just want to share with you guys that good things can happen in a flash.

I'm pretty thrilled right now.

Thanks to all of you for your support so far. Good things will come!

Congrats Kate! Maybe we'll meet in the Fall?

laura said...

re: GMU acceptances

Were these official acceptances? Did you get a GNE prior to them?

Sarah said...

Brad, that is amazing!! I am so happy for you! Congrats!

laura said...

Oh my god, Brad Smith! What a wonderful day! :-D Congratulations! You rule.

Morgan said...

Brad,

awesome!! Congrats!

koru said...

@Brad, congrats! what a great day it is! I hope you treated yourself to a special something present!

Emma said...

Ah, Brad m'boy, you are living the dream.

One of the sixty-thousand beers I drink tonight will be for you.

Ido Wah-Nah said...

@Rose. I have no idea if anyone has responded to you yet, but I saw you post way back on the first page that you had been asked by Eastern Washington to send in the teaching application, but then heard nothing else. I just wanted to let you know that they haven't started actually reading manuscripts (deadline was Monday, and the school was closed.) I attend EWU as an undergrad, and I know that the applications (as of this morning around 11am) are still in files in Pam's office (Pam being the queen bee of the program). So don't be concerned that you haven't heard anything else yet.

Who was it that called you? Was it Pam, or one of the faculty?

~Aubs

Kerry Headley said...

Yay, Brad Smith!!

@Laura

The email from George Mason was an official acceptance letting me know that I would receive a snail mail acceptance in the next few days. I did not receive a Good News email ahead of time.

Brandy Colbert said...

congrats, brad!!

Kendra said...

Brad - congratulations!

Amanda said...

thanks kerry!

@laura: it was an official notification. This is the first I've heard from GM since I sent in my application. I was getting nervous when I saw others had heard "unofficial good news," but I received nothing of the sort, not even a "your application has been forwarded for review."
good luck!

Emma said...

Just out of curiosity, does anyone here write fanfiction?

Courtney said...

Wow, Brad! What a super star! Enjoy your happy day!

Amy said...

BS is another NM.

What is up with these poets?! Sheeyat!

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