June Links Roundup
Including summer schedules, funny books, and submission opportunities
Hello and welcome to the June links roundup where I share links of interest and funny stuff.
We had a successful family trip to Europe and while we were in Germany, I realized that the majority of the German words I know I learned through pop culture including:
Achtung/Attention (from U2’s Acthung Baby)
Auf wiedersehen/Goodbye (from Sound of Music)
Danke schön/Thank you very much (from Ferris Bueller)
So basically, pop culture was the Duolingo of the 80s and 90s and I didn’t even know it.
Since getting back, I’ve been doing my usual summer routine of trying to get writing done but not having much time. I’m trying to mostly accept that I just can’t get as much done over the summer with my kids at home and a spotty summer camp schedule, but I’m still trying to chip away at some things.
Keep reading for what I’ve been enjoying this month…
Short video: Related to most of the things in the above short video by Ron DeLancey.
Audiobook: This month I listened to Sounds Like Titanic on audio and enjoyed it. It’s a memoir about the author’s time playing violin for an ensemble where the musicians are basically just pretending to play along to a recorded music track at live performances. I found out about it via the
Substack which I enjoy for book recs.Book: I’m in the middle of Amy Krouse Rosenthal’s book Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life. It’s funny and I like the unusual format — it’s basically a memoir in the format of encyclopedia-like entries.
Summer Drink: I’m going to put a plug in for the Aperol Spritz which feels like a nice refreshing summer cocktail. And if you are looking for a non-alcoholic version, I like this one.
Humor in Suspense: For tips on adding humor to suspense writing check out this post from
on . The print version of Liz’s book Sad Sacked also came out this month, so if you are looking for a funny memoir, check it out.Humor Contest:
sent me this opportunity for a short humour/humor writing competition that is open until the end of July. This list of magazines that accept humor writing also looks like a great resource.Prose fellowship:
announced a fellowship opportunity for women-identified emerging prose writers in the U.S. that may be of interest.Humor fellowship: And finally, The Onion Fellowship in Chicago is currently open.
This month’s funny guest rec comes from Molly Rosner whose book One Drawn Out Pregnancy came out this spring. Here is the synopsis of the book: “Filled with more than 100 colorful comics, One Drawn Out Pregnancy offers a refreshing dose of quirky laughs and genuine compassion, making it a must-read for any mom-to-be. In One Drawn Out Pregnancy humor meets heart in the extraordinary - but confusing - journey into motherhood.
Pregnancy can be isolating and scary, but women need more than more advice and high expectations! This illustrated book is free from anxiety-inducing descriptions of what 10 cm dilated means (and accompanying horrific comparisons to a bagel) and instead offers honesty, belly laughs, and some simple prompts for reflection.”
And here is Molly’s rec for what has been making her laugh lately:
“I watched Nate Bargatze's latest standup special Hello, World and it's delightful. What I particularly appreciate about his brand of comedy is that I can watch it with my stepdaughter or my dad and it's not awkward - just good, accessible laughs.
More recently, I watched the episode of the show Hot Ones, where celebrities eat progressively hotter wings during an interview, and Conan O'Brien committed to it big time and the whole thing just got totally unhinged. If you like Conan O'Brien it's him to the Nth degree. If he's not your cup of tea, you may just be totally weirded out.
Looking forward to: I'm really excited for Asher Perlman's new book Well, This Is Me which promises to have a lot of clever humor. And I want to see Ilana Glazer and Michelle Buteau’s new movie Babes.”
Thanks, Molly! Check out Molly’s work on Instagram and her website and keep up with what she is up to with her newsletter.
Paid subscriber perk: I’m trying out a new Ask Me Anything (about writing, because I’m not the best person for other life advice) for paid subscribers in the chat. If you are a paid subscriber and have quick questions relating to writing (recs for where to submit something, resources, general questions about submitting or publishing) feel free to put them in the chat.
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Every time I convince someone to read SOUNDS LIKE TITANIC, an angel gets its wings. (Truly, I'm yet to find someone who didn't love it.)
Amy's work is so good. What a loss. :(