New Writing, Mercy and Match Point. To Hold The Night Screenings (LA this weekend) and gratitude for the amazing collaborators and people I know!

Hello friends!

I hope that you are keeping safe this fall. It's been a doozy and I hope that it's going to let up soon. If I’m being honest, I feel a bit silly sharing what I've been up to when there's so much of great consequence going on in the world but I want to hear what you're up to and so, I'm sharing what's happening with me.

Last week, out walking, I saw a pair of owls. I rarely, more like never see them in LA, and then, there they were, hooting, it was magical.

When I reflect on what to write about in my newsletter, I think a lot about all the wonderful people I’ve been in conversation with or whose work I’ve had the pleasure of reading and watching. There are moments when I let it sink in the amount of talented and generous people I have in my life. There are moments, honestly, that I wish I could go back to my younger selves (and in therapy I do) and tell them,

“You are not alone. And someday you will know it in your bones.”

Most days, I know it. Thank you for being a part of that knowledge.

1. New Writing from Me!

I’m busy working on my memoir and co-editing (with Lynn Shattuck) Loss of a Lifetime: Advice from Grieving Siblings on Love, Loss and Hope so it’s a special treat to have some writing to share with you.
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Mercy at Parley Lit

This is a first for me. An animated essay! I want to thank Asha Dore for her supportive edits and gorgeous animation. It was a joy working with Asha and Parley Lit on this essay, Mercy. It's a vulnerable and personal one and I'm grateful for their encouragement and support.

​Match Point at 5 Minute Lit

I love flash pieces and I'm happy to share this one about 5 minutes of my life.
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If you’re looking for places to submit, I would highly recommend both.


2. To Hold The Night Screenings in Los Angeles, Dallas and London, Ontario
Look at us (me, Jessica Petelle and Jen Prince) holding the awards for To Hold The Night’s three wins at Simi Film Fest!

To Hold The Night was nominated in nine (!!!) categories and brought home three trophies:
Best Editing - Maxyme Tremblay
Best Costumes - Nola Chaters
Best Hair and Makeup - Dylan Twigg & Jaye Falcioni

I’m forever struck by the level of craft and artistry that everyone brought to To Hold The Night, it was such a thrill seeing them recognized at this level.

After fantastic screenings at Simi Film Fest and Toronto Shorts International Film Festival we are excited to screen at three more festivals this month:

Topanga Film Festival: Screening this Saturday, October 19th at 3pm
I will be there and I would love it if you come by and say hi!
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TICKETS HERE

Topaz Film Festival in Dallas: Screening this Saturday, October 19th and Jessica Petelle (Director/Producer) will be there, if you’re in the Dallas area, go check it out!

Forest City Film Festival in London, Ontario: Screening Saturday, October 26th at 10am. Jessica Petelle (Director/Producer), Brad Turner (Cinematographer/Producer), Nikki Andrew (Producer) and more will be there. It’s going to be a fantastic screening!
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And this absolutely incredibly review from The Independent Critic, Richard Propes. When writing something, what keeps me going (and I think most of us) is the hope and belief that our writing will mean something to someone. And when I find out that it does, it’s the best.

3. Where I'm From

#154 Colleen Golafshan
#155 Andréa Ferrell Gannon
#156 Katie Ware
#157 Charlotte Wilkins
#158 Jacque Gorelick
#159 Shoshana Koch
#160 Diane Zinna
#161 Claire Polders

I love every single poem that I’ve heard over the past three years and this batch is no exception. It brings shape to my life every week and these poems and conversations are incredible.

I issue this open invite every newsletter and I mean it, please reach out if you’re interested in joining me. I would love it!

​4. Comics Lit

t’s out in the world! And I love all of the essays in the collection. If you love comics, this book is for you. Thank you to A.R. Farina and Tonya Todd for their invitation to join this collection and for all of their hard work and thoughtful edits along the way.

ORDER HERE

5. What I've Been Watching and Reading

Sexism and Sensibility: Raising Empowered, Resilient Girls in the Modern World by Jo-Ann Finkelstein, PhD

This is a great book. It combines research, Finkelstein’s own experiences and stories from her psychology practice. Plus razor sharp insights like this one:

“For as long as I can remember, I was told girls can anything boys can be. I’ve never heard, however, the phrase, ‘boys can be anything girls can be.’”

Everywhere I Look: a Memoir by Ona Gritz

What a gorgeous book about sibling loss and family secrets. It also happens to be our selection for Sibling Loss Book Club on Monday, October 21st at 4pm PDT/7pm EDT. There is still time for RSVP. Please join us for a conversation with Ona, even if you haven’t read the book, I guarantee it’s going to be incredible.
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If you’re still with me, thanks for taking the time. I hope you’re well and I’d love to hear what you’re reading or watching or if you’ve seen any owls lately. Whatever speaks to you, let me know.

May we all find a moment(s) of joy and moment(s) of peace amidst the din.
XO. Alyson