So you know the Best American Essays book series that comes out each year? And how there’s a list of the top 100 essays published that year near the back of the book? I’m on that list! It’s for the first creative nonfiction piece I published, which appeared in The Gettysburg Review.
The weird thing is that no one bothered to tell me I was on the list, right there with people like Jamaica Kincaid, Michael Cunningham, David Sedaris, and Sherman Alexie. I only found out because my high school friend’s mom noticed it and told her and then she told me last night.
I didn’t believe her, I said, “Sorry, but I think they would have let me know.” But, it just so happens that my dad gave me the Best American Essays of 2007 for Christmas, and the very book was sitting a few yards away from me. I opened it up and there I was. It was kind of like magic.
Anyway, it is kind of a big deal for me. Especially considering how doubtful I can be about the whole quitting-my-job-to-write-things decision, this makes me feel a little more legit. I mean, there are way more than 100 American creative nonfiction writers and there were way, way more than 100 essays published in America as year. I’ve got a chance!
BROOD 
20 comments
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January 27, 2008 at 3:53 pm
lisamm
I’m so surprised they didn’t share that info with you in advance. Anyway, congratulations! Sounds like you’re in really good company. I’d put it on my resume for sure.
January 27, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Cliff Burns
Wow, that must have been a charge when you saw your name on that roster. I hope you had your heart pills nearby. A pleasant surprise is far better than an unpleasant one–so draw comfort from the citation, especially in fallow times when it seems like you can’t sell a personal ad to your local newspaper. Hang in there…
January 27, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Anonymous
I am a random anonymous reader, who began reading your plan when you were writing about Lump. You´re an engaging writer! Congratulations on the mention in the book, and good luck on your freelance endeavors.
January 27, 2008 at 5:09 pm
rebecca
SARAH!! I’m so proud of my big sister! That’s totally crazy that you got that from dad and didn’t even know you were in it. I love you!
January 27, 2008 at 5:28 pm
julie
that’s awesome, sarah, but not really all that surprising. where can we see a copy of this essay?
January 27, 2008 at 6:24 pm
Adrienne
that is unbelievably awesome. congratulations!
January 27, 2008 at 6:43 pm
Kathleen
Why are you so famous?
January 27, 2008 at 6:52 pm
kate
Holy crap, Sarah! That’s amazing. Congratulations.
January 27, 2008 at 10:06 pm
Emily
Wow! What a milestone! Congrats, yet again!
Also, I can’t believe The Gettysburg Review didn’t even let you know this. That seems like something they would toot their horn about!
January 27, 2008 at 10:40 pm
Michael A.
Sarah! I actually tracked down that Review last year. It’s now sitting between Mike Royko and my foolishly unautographed copy of “Relax, This Will Only Hurt…”
It was a moving and impossibly professional piece of work. Way to go.
January 27, 2008 at 10:41 pm
Rachel L
Neato! What was the piece called?
January 28, 2008 at 12:55 am
Kitty
That is a magical story. Keep pushing, something will break through.
Congratulations.
January 28, 2008 at 12:58 am
Amy
weird, don’t you think they should have mentioned it to you seeing as they’re publishing your name and all? Not that I would say no to them if I were you, but it seems odd that they just published it and didn’t even send you a form letter or something.
Anyhow, neet! This seems to be just the reassurance you needed while going through this really difficult and stomach turning change in your life right now. See, everyone told you so! 😉
January 28, 2008 at 12:02 pm
kemo
High praise for your “first creative nonfiction piece” to be published! Congratulations.
I know your gearing up to begin “writing for $’s”; BUT please dedicate >50% of your time to getting more of your creative nonfiction into print. We are all waiting for the next example of your humor and insight (twisted as it may be).
January 28, 2008 at 1:48 pm
amh
That’s awesome Sarah! I am so proud of you!
I can’t believe they didn’t contact you though….
January 28, 2008 at 1:56 pm
Liana
WHOOOO! Go, Sarah! I’m so happy for you! Awesome. You rock! 🙂
January 28, 2008 at 5:24 pm
Your Brother
Pretty damn sweet! It was a well needed boost after this whole job thing…sometimes these things jut work themselves out.
PS – did you say “yards”? Besides football commentators, I really don’t hear people say “yards” very often.
January 28, 2008 at 5:52 pm
Beth from Avenue Z
Great timing for a new freelance writer! Way to go… Now you know your talent is universally acknowledged as remarkable.
I feel a press release coming on…
January 28, 2008 at 10:19 pm
Roxanne Young
WoW! Was it for the Duclod article?
Congratumalations!
January 19, 2009 at 3:53 am
Ranjit Souri
Great story! Pretty much the exact same thing happened to me. I too am in the back section of BAE 2007 and had no idea, until a friend congratulated me for it. Like you, I didn’t believe her. And then I looked it up and there was my name in the back!
Congratulations to you, Sarah. I wish you continued literary success in 2009.
–Ranjit Souri