Launched This Week: November 28th-December 2nd

Don’t miss these two wonderful new essays by Catapult columnists: Kashana Cauley on privacy (and why it’s not just for rich people); Helena Fitzgerald on why she used to love airports and jet-setting (and why she doesn’t anymore).

I loved this short story by Sara Jaffe, “Baby in a Bar”:

This was just the kind of bar we’d needed: clean wide booths of waxed wood and green-shaded barrister lamps, a Cheers-y drop-in vibe that wouldn’t get going until we were long gone. If circumstance forced us to still be there when the place filled up, I would use the opportunity to explain to my baby that one might find family anywhere. Later, when his neurons had spun their fatty coats more thickly, it would be fine with me if he found some of his family on TV.

Maureen McCauley Evans began to reconsider her thoughts about adoption after her own adopted daughter, Aselefech, became pregnant at seventeen.

When Nicole Jankowski can’t sleep, she thinks of Ernest Hemingway.

Dave Wheeler, “Two Men Kissing”:

I feel starved for examples of how men shape their lives together. My straight friends have built-in role models amongst their families and their churches and their offices and everywhere in media, for how to carry themselves in the world, for what they may face in years ahead. I know how fags fuck, but if there is more to a satisfying life than coming, you certainly wouldn’t know it from that subgenre of horror, the gay-interest film, in which all plots pivot on tragedy.

I chatted with Jia Tolentino of newyorker.com about her transition from editor to staff writer, her favorite authors, tips for aspiring writers, and how writing might change under Trump’s administration.

“Judaism becomes something to know and grapple with on terms that are entirely mine”: I am still thinking about Amy Beth Wright’s beautiful meditation on religion, dance, and broken family ties.

From the Ecotone archives, “Memorandum to the Animals,” by Amy Leach:

Unfortunately, Animals, we are not going to be able to bring all of you with us this time. Last time there were eight humans on board and at least two of each of you; but that was a sentimental era and God was a sentimental fellow, like the old pack rat up the road who won’t give up any of his whim-whams . . . This time around we are in charge: producing our own cataclysm, designing our own boat, making our own guest list, which does not include Every Living Thing.

There is still time to sign up for our publishing bootcamp on December 13, How to Get an Agent and Sell Your Work, taught by literary agent Christopher Hermelin! Find class info here and a brief Q&A with Christopher over here.

Finally, friends, Christine Jacobson published a new short story on our Community site, “@meaculpa”; it was a highlight of my Wednesday, so let it be a highlight of your weekend. Thank you for reading with us, as always.

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