Comments for Robin Black

Comment on The Subject Is Subjectivity by K. Lyn Wurth

K. Lyn Wurth — Mon, 14 May 2012 14:32:40 +0000

Robin, this is just what I needed to hear. Like you, I knew it at some level, as pertaining to “literature” and other people’s writing, but I think the workshop experience confused me. Lately I’ve committed to putting my writing out more for publication and now I’ll remember to chant over the smoldering ash of each rejection…”subjective, subjective, subjective.” Good thoughts. Thank you.

Comment on Short Story Collections: A Guide for Book Groups by Paul Goldschmidt

Paul Goldschmidt — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:37:31 +0000

I’m interested in knowing about groups in New York City that specialize in reading and discussing short stories.

Comment on First Book, First Blog Post by reb

reb — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 19:04:44 +0000

Anne Corr, My apologies for never having approved this lovely comment of yours! I didn’t actually see it until today. Thank you so much for your kind words and for taking the time to tell me!

Comment on Short Story Collections: A Guide for Book Groups by christine a

christine a — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 17:38:18 +0000

Two short story collections our book group has really liked were
Jhumpa Lahiri – Unaccustomed Earth and Raymond Carver – Where I’m calling from. We quite often read one story aloud – either each taking it in turns or one member reading the whole lot if it’s quite short. (not sure how these would work for more rural communities as we’re city based)

Comment on First Book, First Blog Post by anne corr

anne corr — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 12:52:33 +0000

I just took your book out at my local library. I have read since I can remember, often living more deeply in literature, than in reality. Your writing is a joy. And I am deeply envious, having wanted all my life to write with direction, and with truth. Thankyou for all your efforts in giving birth to this collection. It is as alive as any of us. Wonderful.

Comment on Short Story Collections: A Guide for Book Groups by Matthew

Matthew — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 19:25:40 +0000

I woulod love to see a list of ssc that went over well in this. I was thinking of Come to Me by Bloom or ZZ Packer’s Drinking Coffee Elsewhere. Any suggestions especially for more rural communities?

Comment on The Subject Is Subjectivity by Subjectivity, subjectivity, I’m just loaded with that « ph.d. in creative writing

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 15:28:55 +0000

[...] writing that I came across this blog post by Robin Black: “The Subject is Subjectivity.” She writes eloquently about subjectivity in creative writing, and about the inherent issues in the [...]

Comment on Short Story Collections: A Guide for Book Groups by Joseph Levens

Joseph Levens — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 15:35:14 +0000

This is useful, thanks. But like first mentioned, part of the problem is that groups are not very inclined to even ‘read’ SSCs, much less discuss them in book clubs. The solution is not only to provide guidance on how to talk about an SSC in a book club, but inspire more people to read SSCs. One idea is to impress upon people that last year over 1000 people voted in a poll for the ‘best’ American Book Award winner over the last 60 years. Of the top six, four were SSCs. People who insist on novels should be made fully aware of this and have more of an open mind in what they choose to read.

Comment on Short Story Collections: A Guide for Book Groups by So Many Links, So Little Time | Tayari Jones

So Many Links, So Little Time | Tayari Jones — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 00:40:01 +0000

[...] Obama’s reading, Pandora for writers, and other tasty links.

How to talk about short story collections as a book club

Opportunity Alert: The Mary Wright Fall Fellowship for Writers of Color. [...]

Comment on Short Story Collections: A Guide for Book Groups by What We Talk About When We Talk About Short Story Collections « Last Light Studio

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 22:37:06 +0000

[...] We happen to love short story collections (we’ve published two already!), but we know that some readers aren’t quite sure how to approach them. So we’re grateful to our own Erika Dreifus for pointing us to Robin Black’s helpful “Book Club Guide to Discussing Short Story Collections”. [...]