The internet tells me that today is the tenth anniversary of the finale of Six Feet Under, a series which aired on HBO from 2001-2005. Ten years ago today, my first child--my son-- was 18 days old and I was a frantic, euphoric, sleep-deprived, love-swallowed mess. Nevertheless, I was not going to miss the final … Continue reading The Story
Category: Beautiful Nerve
You’re Going to Hate My Book
It's very different than my other work that you've read, that you've liked. You might not like it very much. You're probably going to hate it, actually. * Who the hell are you talking to? Family. Friends who are not writers. Friends who are writers. Colleagues. Ex-boyfriends. Former professors. Yourself. Stop it. You're poisoning everything. … Continue reading You’re Going to Hate My Book
Beautiful News: Love Fest, AWP Style
It's Monday morning, post-AWP, and I am limping, like a lot of writers I know, into the week after returning from Minneapolis and the wonderful chaos of our yearly shindig. Exhaustion spiked with that yummy pleasure buzz, the kind that comes after the second but before the fourth finger of bourbon (when it turns into … Continue reading Beautiful News: Love Fest, AWP Style
Beautiful News: Interview with Barrelhouse Magazine
Very happy to have had the opportunity to talk with Barrelhouse's poetry editor, Dan Brady, about Beautiful Nerve, prose poetry, anxiety and Patrick Swayze! http://www.barrelhousemag.com/#!Sheila-Squillantes-Beautiful-Nerve/cge1/551d4bc20cf215f35a3563d5 This is my first official interview about the book, and I'm happy that it was with a journal that has so supported my work, and the work of many of … Continue reading Beautiful News: Interview with Barrelhouse Magazine
Weird Poet Gene
On Thursday night, I was honored to participate in the celebratory reading of the 2015 Public Poetry Project, which chose my poem, "This Weather" to publish on 1500 free posters that will go up around the state. It was delightful to see former Penn State colleagues and students, old friends and, of course, our old … Continue reading Weird Poet Gene
Beautiful News: Seeking Reviews
In grad school, I took a course called The Writer as Critic, taught by the formidable Robin Becker, who welcomed us on day one by proclaiming, "Welcome to most practical, important class you will take during your MFA." She had earned and lived that confidence as a long-time reviewer herself, as well as a poet … Continue reading Beautiful News: Seeking Reviews
Beautiful News: First Blurb!
Last fall I had to put together a list of poets who I thought might be willing to say some nice things about my book when it entered the world. I was counseled to ask people I knew, as well as people I didn't know but whose work I admire. The first bit was … Continue reading Beautiful News: First Blurb!
Beautiful News
Next month, we'll all jump in the car on Paul's birthday (he's such a good, supportive sport!) and drive back to State College so I can take part in the reading for this year's Public Poetry Project, sponsored by the Pennsylvania Center for the Book, which is housed at Penn State. This is a wonderful … Continue reading Beautiful News
Beautiful News
I'm thrilled to announce that Beautiful Nerve will be the featured poetry title for the Conversations & Connections writers conference in Washington, D.C. on April 8th! This is a terrific one-day conference where you get a ton of good stuff for not very much money. From the website: Conversations and Connections is a one-day writer's … Continue reading Beautiful News