That is the case this month.  These are the times that remind of the great range that’s possible in creative nonfiction, in terms of subject matter, approach, style, vision, and the different ways of fully engaging the reader.

 

We begin with a truly exceptional piece of writing, “Windows” by Sally Houtman.  In preparing to write this introduction, I rejected any number of pat phrases that would praise this excellent piece:  “a true work of art,” “ups the ante,” “shifts the paradigm,” “makes you see the possibilities of creative nonfiction in an entirely fresh way.” But having rejected all of this phrasing, I was left with the certainty that the best and truest way to describe this piece is that it is a true work of art that not only ups the ante, but actually shifts the paradigm of creative nonfiction so that you see its possibilities in an entirely fresh way.  Read it.  This way of writing is new.

 

One of the great joys of reading is finding yourself in empathy with the internal world the writer is dramatizing, because you feel that, yes, you’ve been.  But there is another kind of reading, one that is perhaps greater in human terms, and that is to expose yourself to an internal world that is alien to you, but for which you feel, nevertheless, an overwhelming sympathy.  My guess is that “The Last Reasonable Hour,” by Marcia Trahan, will attract both types of readers.  Some of you will read this memoir of major depression and be fully engaged by the feeling of “Yes, I’ve been there.”  Others will read it and be fully engaged by the realization, “I have so much sympathy for those who have suffered this.”  But whichever type of reader you are, I promise you this:  You will be fully engaged.

 

Each month, I try to find at least one very talented young writer whom we should all begin noticing.  Ashley Wells is one such writer.  Her piece, “The Fall,” illustrates that creative nonfiction involves much more than simply telling a true story through devices that originated in fiction writing.  As with any work of literature, what matters in Wells’ essay is the evolving empathetic subtext of a richly layered tale.  I’m proud to be publishing her work.

 

Finally, as a person who’s been caring for both his parents for three and a half years, after they both had serious strokes, I’m very pleased to be presenting “Remembering Mom” by Jamie Dedes.  One of the things I worry about the most is how I will feel after my mom and dad are gone.  This piece assuaged my fears a bit, as Dedes shows that it’s possible to look back on the life of a deceased parent with joy and sobriety and reflective love.  The essay manages to be truly heartwarming, without relying on sentimentality.

 

On a personal note, as many of you who follow me on Facebook will know, everything I make from my own writing goes toward keeping my parents living in dignity and freedom in their own home.  Please consider downloading one of my titles from my virtual bookshelf on Amazon here.

 

If you don’t have a Kindle, you’ll be happy to learn that the Kindle App downloads for free onto a wide variety of devices here.

And many of my titles are available on the Nook from Barnes and Noble here.

 

Thank you!