Now this is the Law of the Jungle—
as old and as true as the sky;
And the Wolf that shall keep it may prosper,
but the Wolf that shall break it must die.
Rudyard Kipling
Another excerpt from my forthcoming book, The Saltwater Twin and Other Mythical Creatures appears this month! It’s called “Law of the Jungle” and it’s featured in the current issue of The Chattahoochee Review, “The Animal.” I described the process of writing that chapter in March of 2012 (see “wild truth” and “finding the trail”). The issue’s not available online, but the curious can get their paws on a copy here.
Also this month, I’m reading a story with Tellin’ Tales Theatre as part of The 17th annual Fillet of Solo Festival. The show features true stories from Tekki Lomnicki, Barrie Cole, Andrew Marikis and moi.
My piece includes: Princess Diana, instant cocoa with mini marshmallows, bachelorettes in bikinis and a fixer-upper in Rogers Park (not necessarily in that order). Click for tickets.
Cheers!
the saltwater twin 
Congrats! Look at you go.
I was wondering about the practice of writing a book but publishing individual chapters in various publications. I have been told that publishers won’t touch a book that contains material that has already been published. Others say that you can change a few words and then it’s a different piece.
Any thoughts?
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Hmm. That’s worrisome to me, but contradictory to what I’ve been led to believe.
I do know that most literary magazines and journals will not publish material that’s been previously published–even, as a rule, on a blog. However, I’ve never heard that publishing houses won’t take material that has appeared elsewhere.
Last year I was in touch with an agent who is interested in my work and she encouraged me to get 2-3 publications under my belt because it would put me in a better spot when it comes to selling the manuscript. We never discussed not using material from the book itself. Hopefully that’s not a screw up on my part. I guess stay tuned and find out!
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I’m sure you know what you’re doing, especially if you’ve already spoken with an agent. I’m just confused and paranoid, which is a bad combo.
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Confused and paranoid you may be, but you also happen to write with humor and insight. Don’t forget about that!
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Thanks for that. Lord knows I try. Here’s to lots of good writing and good fortune in 2014.
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Good stuff!
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