SethFleisher.com

Something about this title reminds me of Planet of the Apes. Not sure why.

I got my official acceptance letter from the Squaw Valley Community of Writers conference this week. It wasn't a huge surprise--I was there two years ago, my wife and I are friendly with the director, yada yada yada--but hey, acceptance letters are always welcome around these parts. And I'm excited to be returning for a week at the beginning of August.

It was something of an impetuous decision, re-applying this year. Hadn't planned on it at all. But the looming start date has given me some writing momentum. I'm shooting to have a full draft of my short story collection within a month, in time to bring with me. It won't be flawless or complete, but it should be good enough to share significant excerpts or even the whole manuscript should I stumble upon an interested agent or editor.

I'll be heading to the Sierras with the whole familia again. Last time around, Amy Tan was incredibly gracious (though I suspected she was secretly scowling) as my two-year-old son laid out 300 of his toy trucks on the dining table in her vacation house. Wondering how she'll react if I bring both of my little fellas to her pad this time. Hmmmm....