Doc Film, Fellowships and Finishing These Books
- Jul 14, 2022
- 1 min read
Updated: Aug 20, 2022
I know it's been a long time since I posted here: nearly six years in fact. In that time, I've been honored to finish my first documentary film, The Changing Same, which airs on PBS and streams at American Documentary, and have received fellowships from the Ebedi, Ragdale, and Civitella Ranieri foundations and the Florida Education Fund!
While illness prevented me from traveling to Nigeria to teach Baldwin's and Shakespeare's plays while completing my own, I did travel to the Chicago suburbs in 2019 and completed a draft of my next poetry collection, which is in its final edits and under consideration with a press. I hope to have good news in 2023 and 2024, when I also aim to return to Italy for my Civitella Ranieri residency and work on poems and my memoir about the two decades I spent in some of the nation's largest newsrooms.
The good news about the pandemic that has upended nearly three years of most of our lives is that it brought me home to Marianna, Florida, the inspiration for almost every piece of art I inhabit.
While awaiting my latest collected works' publication, check out newish poems, essays, journalism, conversations, and lectures— & congrats to this crop of Civitella Ranieri Fellows!
What an incredible piece — Stanislav Petrov's story is one of those rare historical moments that genuinely makes you pause and reflect. The fact that he wasn't even supposed to be on duty that night, and yet his calm, analytical thinking under unimaginable pressure is what prevented a nuclear catastrophe, is both humbling and fascinating. What really stands out is how his decision went against rigid Soviet military protocol — he trusted his gut and his engineering knowledge over a flashing alarm system, and that instinct saved potentially billions of lives. It's a sobering reminder of how fragile peace can be and how a single individual's judgment can carry the weight of the entire world. Stories like this deserve to…
Documentary film work, fellowships, and finally finishing long-term book projects all seem closely connected through patience and persistence. I think these creative and academic journeys require consistent effort and the ability to stay focused even when progress feels slow. Fellowships, in particular, can provide valuable time and support for deeper work. In academic pressure situations, some students may think about options like write my MBA dissertation, but developing discipline step by step usually leads to stronger and more meaningful results.
It’s inspiring to see writers discussing fellowships and the journey of completing their manuscripts. Even after finishing a book, navigating the publishing world can feel overwhelming. Choosing the right avenues can make a huge difference in reaching readers. Many authors research top publishing companies to understand which ones align with their genre and audience. Having insight into industry standards, submission processes, and editorial expectations can help a completed manuscript finally find its way to readers.
Such a great reflection on finishing projects it’s something many writers struggle with, especially when juggling other commitments. When I was completing my first book, one of the biggest hurdles was deciding where it might land after finishing the draft. Researching the best book publishers for new authors really helped me understand different paths and set realistic expectations, which kept me motivated. Has anyone else found that planning ahead for publishing options makes the finishing process easier?
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