In Response to “In the Dry Months”: A Review of Orphans
I posted this East Hampton Star review last week. What follows is my response to a question raised in the first paragraph (I’ve included it below) which ultimately concerns all of us and I’d love to hear your thoughts. While it is a truth that anyone who lives to old age will experience inevitable deterioration, the […]
A Guest Post for Girl Who Reads
An Unexamined Life Stage by Joan Cusack Handler, Ph. D.| April 18, 2016 I’ve been a psychologist in clinical practice for more than 30 years. Not surprisingly, I’m also a writer who focuses on the emotional and psychological underpinnings of human experience. Committed to meticulously preserving client confidentiality, I never use client’s biographies in my […]
CHALLENGES AND EVOLUTIONS IN ORPHANS
Now that Orphans is published and no longer mine alone, I’m feeling a bit lonely. I don’t have my ‘baby’ to tend to anymore (and that truly is a loss after so many months/(years!!) of obsessing,) and I certainly don’t have my next project in mind nor do I have room for it emotionally–that will […]
Nin Andrews interviews Joan Cusack Handler
NIN ANDREWS Orphans is such a powerful and heart-breaking memoir. I thought maybe I’d start the interview by asking for an excerpt from “No Day Was Brighter:” on page 39, beginning on page 39: “I’ve spent my life trying to explain/my mother . . . and ending with “God stealing her mother in every /face […]
“Irish Litany”: Published on Irish American Mom
As you my readers know, I love poetry and all the nuance, paradox and emotion conveyed by the magical manipulation of words. When I heard from Joan, a native of the Bronx, raised in an Irish family, I was captivated by the idea of a memoir in verse.
And so I asked Joan if she would like to write a guest post for my blog, to introduce you to her writing. As a theme for her piece, I suggested she focus on what it means to her to be Irish, and to share her Irish American story.
When I read her submission, I was blown away. As Joan wrote, her answer turned into verse, memories coming to life through familiar names, places and an Irish American backdrop that influenced and illuminated every moment of her childhood.
I am honored to publish Joan’s poem, Irish Litany, here today. I hope her poetic words will resonate with you, as they did with me.
A reading of “Confessions”
Here is the latest video from CavanKerry Press, a reading from “Confessions” at the book release party at Le Possoin Rouge. Enjoy.
From Confessions’ Book Launch Party
Nin Andrews draws for Confessions
I’m delighted to share an illustration Nin Andrews made for Confessions.
Announcing a Birth
And so…Confessions has made her way into the world. In fact, I hold her in my hands this very moment. And as any quelling Mom would say of her newborn, she is beautiful; I am so happy and proud. Seeing one’s work in print is magical for a writer. Until the point of publication, the […]
Judith Hannan at (le) poisson rouge
Judi is an excellent writer and reader–this should be a lovely event . I hope you’ll be able to join us. -Joan Concert Artists Guild and LWC present: Words and Music with author Judith Hannan and cellist Sebastian Bäverstam Monday November 12th, 2012 THE GALLERY BAR AT LPR (le) poisson rouge 158 bleecker st Ticket […]