Member-only story
NONFICTION | PERSONAL ESSAYS | MEMOIRS
Winning Writers from November & December
Memoirs and personal essays at The Narrative Arc
I’m grateful for your essays here at The Narrative Arc
We sponsor writing challenges and in November and December (specifically, beginning Nov 24 through Dec 31), we challenged you to submit your essays and memoirs.
Themes were broad. I’ll attach the details here so you can review them. I gave great latitude to the story submissions in the six-week period. If you worked hard and submitted a story — I entered it in the contest for you!
Don’t you think you deserve that consideration? I do.
It was a pleasure to receive so many strong stories in the six-week writing window. Thanks again, and I’m sorry it’s taken me some time to give some feedback. I’m struggling personally this first month of 2025. A friend is having a serious health struggle — a diagnosis with a fancy name and a frightening prognosis. I’m paying close attention. That’s what you do.
A friend to the Parasol team is also having a rough time, and our hearts are with her.
And then there’s the elephant in the room
Some of the strong essayists are taking time off. Relocating. Throwing up their hands. I can’t make promises; it’s not in my power to see them through. That said, I’ve been here before when times changed. I’m not going away.
I’m here for you. For our readers and writers — for all of you. I’m answering your notes, emails, and questions, to the best of my ability. Things are in flux. You know that. I know that. All I can say is I worked hard to build this community for you and I’m not going anywhere.
Of course I’m exploring other options. But my heart is here. And this is where I shall stay.
