And. . . it's a launch! Tonight friends and family from both coasts (and some folx from the middle) joined thee zoom-o-sphere for a book party featuring readings by incredibly talented creatives, two give aways, and.... a writing prompt. If you attended the party, you will have received your assignment . Please post your writing … Continue reading Pretend Plumber post-party writing fun
My initial response to the RoevWade memo leak of May 2nd 2022
I shared this poem on facebook. I wrote it very quickly on Tuesday morning May 3rd, and made minimal edits. On May 4th, I took a writing workshop with poet activist Andres Sanchez where he emphasized the importance of story-telling and activism. Here is the poem. 1. I had sex at 16 with my first … Continue reading My initial response to the RoevWade memo leak of May 2nd 2022
Novel-writing and why it matters
Dear friends -- Happy Cinco de Mayo! I'm taking a look back over my various attempts at writing novels on Medium, and here is the first part of that essay: Why I write novels This week I’m junking the “about” in my title and getting right to the question of why I keep on trying … Continue reading Novel-writing and why it matters
New “Why I write about”
Friends -- This is a short piece where I think about writing and teaching connected to the holocaust. My novel Pretend Plumber does not address the holocaust directly. This comic tale focuses on a young Los Angeles teenager, who is Jewish, but who is also white and highly privileged. Yet, the event that Jews call the “Shoah” … Continue reading New “Why I write about”
April — Special in-depth conversation with Anthony LeDonne about my new novel PRETEND PLUMBER
Hello friends! What a spiritually resonant week this is, as folx navigate Ramadan, Easter and Passover all at the same time! Because of this convergence, my wonderful friend Anthony and I thought this might be the perfect time to record and share a conversation about spirituality and Jewishness in my new novel Pretend Plumber, now … Continue reading April — Special in-depth conversation with Anthony LeDonne about my new novel PRETEND PLUMBER
Let’s talk sandwiches — food matters in my life and fiction
Dear friends of the unreal -- In my latest Medium piece, I wax eloquent about my history with a famous foodstuff and how it works in my new novel. Food is love, my husband once told me and food is crucial in my forthcoming novel, Pretend Plumber. I love food. No, seriously, I LOVE food. I’m … Continue reading Let’s talk sandwiches — food matters in my life and fiction
Happy Ides of March! — some new writing and I read the big book, part 2
Hi friends -- it's also my half-birthday and in honor of this silly non-holiday, I'm sharing, not just one, but two new items. I posted my latest "Why I write about..." and you can read it here: https://medium.com/@stephaniebarbhammer/why-i-write-about-shakespeare-b6be2b35025c And.... my fun conversation with Don and Tom of WRITING ON WHIDBEY ISLAND went live yesterday and … Continue reading Happy Ides of March! — some new writing and I read the big book, part 2
New “why I write about” on Medium
Another "why I write about" just went live over at Medium! Here's the first question in my self-interview: Q: Stephanie-- What gives with setting your new novel in L.A? You don’t live there, and you aren’t even from that city. In fact, you were born and raised in Manhattan – which is the polar opposite … Continue reading New “why I write about” on Medium
The Life Aquatic: Sailing the Salish Sea with Iris Graville
Friends -- even city slicker magical realists like yours truly, look up from time to time and want to know more about the place where we are currently residing. But, I'm not a scientist, and while I consider myself an environmentalist, I get a bit vague on the details of how my locality might be … Continue reading The Life Aquatic: Sailing the Salish Sea with Iris Graville
“Why I write about. . .” series launching on Medium
Dear friends of the unreal -- I just wrote and published the first of a series called "Why I write about. . . " in conjunction with the forthcoming release of my second novel Pretend Plumber, which will be out sometime this spring. You can read the first little piece here. Speaking of unreal... I … Continue reading “Why I write about. . .” series launching on Medium
Stephanie Barbé Hammer Writing (Un) Real 