This week Stephen Elliott announced that I’m now managing editor for The Rumpus. I am so happy (beyond happy) to be taking on this new role.
I think it’s pretty obvious that I love The Rumpus. I’ve been an admirer of the site–which I think of as less of a site and more of a community–since the beginning, and as managing editor want to continue doing the great job that Isaac and Lisa have done. They’ve both been supportive of me in this new role, which means a lot. This week, I was trying to explain to Davy Rothbart what that meant to me and said, “I feel like I got Isaac’s blessing. That’s the only word that comes to mind. It’s a weird word, right?” Davy said, “It’s the right word.” Then he went on to sing Isaac’s praises because Davy is quite fond of Isaac and really everyone loves that guy. How can you not?
One of the best parts about this role is that I am able to work with an amazing team of editors who are passionate, extremely talented and love literature. I’m so grateful to be working with them and so far (in this short amount of time) have been having fun doing so. The other wonderful part is that I love to shine light on people’s writing and will be able to do more of just that. And I am of course excited to get to know more of our Rumpus readers.
In the announcement, Stephen included the photo that Jon Adams illustrated for my birthday a while back. Jon Adams recently wrote and illustrated a humor piece.
Other things from this week:
Anisse Gross interviews Brian Lindstrom.
Kima Jones interviewed Kiese Laymon. I liked what he said about confessing. He said, “I’m interested in how the confessional is so abrasively critiqued today. I’m not really comfortable with simply confessing but I do think ‘confessing’ is a major part of reckoning.” He went on to say more but you’ve got to click the link to read the rest.
I already have Saturday features lined up for September but since I’m moving away from my Saturday post, this will be my last Links I Like on The Rumpus. Amy Fusselman and I decided the column would be a good fit for her magazine. Amy is one of my favorite writers and her book was the Last Book I Loved. She is also one of my favorite people and if I lived in New York, I’d want to get lunch or coffee with her every week. Needless to say I’m thrilled she will edit my writing. She said, “I want you to just let it rip, personal-wise,” so the column will probably evolve less into curating links and more into writing about my life.
All week this Scout Niblett song and this Tracey Emin sign have been on my mind.
