An Open Letter to Carson High School’s Administration: Mr. Leibner is a GREAT A** teacher
It’s heartbreaking. This letter is to the new administration at Carson High School. They have berated my favorite teacher, Mr. Leibner, with misleading counts on his evaluation. They even didn’t like his awesome designed classroom. It’s just like what happened here on a segment of This American Life: Two Steps Back. Here’s my open letter … Read more
As the days wind down in Charleston…
Every day, I have to re-realize that I am blessed. There are many, many family and friends waiting for us to come home, back to California where the weather isn’t a bipolar king (thanks for the thunderstorm today, Charleston); back to where all shades of brown, from dark coffee to light milk tea is beautiful; … Read more
Thoughts after visiting Mills College
Writing is an elitist practice. — Ajuan Mance The Poets of Color class I sat in at Mills College was one of the most uplifting, exciting, and intellectually rigorous discussions I’ve experienced, and now that I’m back in Charleston, mulling over so many things and thoughts that conquered my mind this week, I realize over and … Read more
My two poems will be published in UC Berkeley’s Maganda Magazine | Issue 25, “Broke”
Very cool. Just got the word that two of my poems will be published in {m}agandá Magazine. It’s a wonderful student-run, academic publication founded in 1989. I’m very happy to be part of it again and that my two poems found a suitable home. Here’s one of the poems that’s being published: She knocks on my … Read more
At the end of the road… (MFA application season)
I can say, wholeheartedly, I am so thankful for this grueling process, but more so thankful that (THANK GOD) I don’t have to do this again for another year. In mid-February, I was ready to pull myself up from my depression (getting rejected is tough!) and start writing again. But when I wrote, I wrote … Read more
A little bit of validation
Cool! I received a partial scholarship to the Dzanc Books/DISQUIET International Literary Program in Lisbon, Portugal! I don’t think I’ll be able to attend since it’s so expensive… but I really appreciate what they said about my writing: “Dear Melissa, Thank you for submitting to the DISQUIET International Literature Award. The contest attracted more than … Read more
