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There’s still time to register for The HerStories Project’s Fall Writing Workshop!

Congrats to these Literary Mamas!

In this guest post, Literary Mama reader Melissa Uchiyama shares her creative spirit.

For me, it was astronaut or artist. Always the mysteries of the universe fleshed out, explored in the medium of swirly, gobby paint. I was the creative child, seeking a life of beauty and adventure, wondering why I couldn’t keep my room neat.

Before long, writing snagged and tagged me, too. I don’t remember scribbling or scrawling, writing in some girly padlocked diary or on yellow legal pads. I do recall confidently pushing down electric typewriter keys, racing to that next line, entranced by the serif font and the whirring of electricity. I held my neck high, fingers pert like those of a concert pianist.

As fall arrives, so do the students. Some mothers are watching their young ones leave home, some are returning to classes themselves, and others are teaching at universities. Whatever college means to you, you’ll find your experiences echoed in these stories from other Literary Mamas.

Check out our fresh September Calls for Submissions roundup for great ideas on where to send your work! Good luck out there!

In today’s After Page One post, Literary Mama reader Nina Lichtenstein shares about the impossible task of self-editing.

I know “cathartic” sounds dramatic, but I have no other way to describe the experience. It was intense, emotional and therapeutic. Why? Because having gone through it, I discovered that I am capable of achieving what I thought was impossible: to edit an essay down from 2700 to 850 words.

As summer comes to a close, must our reading passion also wane with the season? I am happy to report the opposite to be true this month for me. The kids are back in school but not yet inundated with projects; thus, my mounting stack of books topples over with new selections now more than ever. Check out our recent favorites, some of which are hot off the presses.

The Decatur Book Festival, the largest independent book festival in the US, is happening soon!

In today’s guest post, Literary Mama reader Heather Villa shares her journey of leaving her job and becoming a mother and writer.

I worked at a government job, and from my second-story window I could see the door of a magazine publisher.

During my one of my lunch breaks I passed a woman walking along the street. She looked familiar. But when I thought more about it, I realized she was the editor from the magazine (outside my window) I so admired. Her headshot – with a contemplative expression – featured next to her editor’s letters, graced the monthly issues.

I wanted to write for that magazine.

Join women writers from across America at the Kentucky Women Writers Conference.

Today’s prompt asks you to free write about how you make time and space to stand still in our hectic world.