Write into the Week: February 10, 2025

Elle LaMarca  |  February 20, 2025  | 

“You never know what is enough unless you know what is more than enough.”

–William Blake

Dear Writer,

I hope you’re having a good start to your week. In this newsletter:

  • A writing prompt to inspire your creativity.
  • Reading and listening recommendations in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry.
  • Publishing, residency, and retreat opportunities available now.
  • Join our free Friday write-in, and meet our community of writers.

Happy writing this week!

—Elle, Curriculum Specialist & Community Manager

Writing Prompt

Write about something that is (more than?) enough. Write about something that is never enough. Write about something that is just right. Challenge: Can one thing be all three?

Reading Recommendations:

Poetry:

  • “Seven Prose Poems” by Charles Simic. “The chair is really a table making fun of itself.” What a line! Simic’s collection offers surreal and thought-provoking vignettes that blend the mundane with the mysterious.

Fiction:

  • “The Storyteller” by Mubanga Kalimamukwento. A younger brother reflects on his admiration for his older sibling, Yankho, whose storytelling prowess captivates their family. Set against the backdrop of political unrest in Zambia, the story poignantly explores the bonds of brotherhood and the enduring power of narrative amidst adversity.

Nonfiction:

  • “The L.A. Fires Taught Me How to Accept Help” by Meghan Daum. Daum reflects on the personal upheaval of losing her home in the January 2025 Altadena wildfires, and the unexpected challenge of accepting help. Raised to value self-sufficiency above all, she wrestles with the discomfort of receiving generosity from friends, neighbors, and strangers.

Listening Recommendations:

  • From Modern LovePodcast: “Neko Case: If I Didn’t Yell the Truth, What Good Was I?” In a new memoir, the singer-songwriter Neko Case shares some painful childhood memories. Case is open and unapologetically angry as she describes being treated like “an unwanted child.” Case also reads a Modern Love essay about the complex heartbreak that comes with being estranged from a parent with an addiction, and the joys of finding love and acceptance in the wake of that pain.
  • From the YouTube channel, Writing with Andrew: “Leveling Up Your Poetry – Understanding Difficult Poems”  Poems aren’t riddles, but they can feel like they are at time. In this video, Andrew discusses how you can approach a challenging poem in order to get a better understanding, and take in the experience it’s meant to convey.

Publishing Opportunities:

  • The Metaworker – Submission Deadline: February 28, 2025. The Metaworker Literary Magazine publishes poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction with a focus on fresh, thought-provoking writing that challenges traditional storytelling. They seek work that is innovative, emotionally resonant, and reflective of diverse voices and perspectives. 
  • Glass: A Journal of Poetry – Submission Deadline: February 28, 2025. Seeking dynamic and thought-provoking poetry that explores personal and societal themes with depth and originality. The journal values work that is bold, reflective, and pushes the boundaries of poetic form and language.

Residency & Retreat Opportunities:

  • The Guggenheim Poet-in-Residence – Application Deadline: February 19, 2025
    An annual position, created in collaboration with the Academy of American Poets, that explores the intersection of poetry and the museum space. The selected poet will develop a project that takes poetry beyond the page, engaging visitors through installations, public programs, and multimedia experiences that foster community and creativity. The residency runs through December 31, 2025, includes a $20,000 honorarium, and features opportunities for collaboration with the Guggenheim, the Academy of American Poets, and Van Cleef & Arpels, culminating in a public project launch in summer 2025.
  • Loghaven Artist Residency – Application Window: June 1 – July 15, 2025
    The Loghaven Artist Residency in Knoxville, Tennessee, offers fully funded residencies for writers and artists, providing time, space, and resources to focus on creative projects. Residents receive private accommodations, studio space, meals, and a $1,000 stipend in a scenic, retreat-like setting. The residency emphasizes artistic excellence and fosters a supportive community of creators. Open to artists of all disciplines and at all stages of their careers. 

Friday: Free Group Writing Session

Come write with us! Community write-ins are a great way to meet other writers, and carve out space in your calendar for your writing.

Join the Writers.com staff for a 90-minute writing session each Friday from 11 AM to 12:30 PM Eastern time. We will write together for the first hour. In the last, optional half hour, we’ll share our writing with one another and connect.

To add yourself, click here, and we’ll send you a Zoom link the morning of the call. You can also always add yourself to or remove yourself from the “Friday Write-Ins” list at the bottom of this newsletter.

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Elle LaMarca

Elle is a writer and novelist originally from southwestern New York, now residing on the central coast in California. She does not miss the snow even a little bit. As an avid traveler, Elle can frequently be found wandering the globe, having lived in and explored over thirty countries, all while gaining inspiration for her writing and new perspectives on life. Elle is a former educator and Teach for America alumna, having taught in Los Angeles, Baltimore and Boston. She holds a B.A. in English Literature and Creative Writing from George Mason University and a M.A. in Education and Curriculum Design from Johns Hopkins University. She is passionate about well-crafted sentences and memorable metaphors. Elle is currently at work on a novel and a collection of personal essays.

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