I am the author of a poetry chapbook, I Will Meet You at the River, (as Suzannah Gilman), frequent traveler, and a licensed attorney who represented victims of domestic violence under a grant from the U.S. Dept. of Justice Office on Violence Against Women. My poetry, essays, fiction, and nonfiction have in such in such publications as The Florida Review, Pearl Magazine, Calyx Journal, Green Hills Literary Lantern, Pearl Magazine, Prick of the Spindle, Slow Trains, The Cafe Review, and The Meridian Anthology of Contemporary Poetry. I competed in flash fiction slams, winning every time. I won Literary Death Match on my 50th birthday. Twice nominated for a Pushcart Prize for poetry, I now concentrate on blogging for The Gloria Sirens and writing fiction. I have four children, four daughters-in-law, and four grandchildren. I live with my husband, the poet Billy Collins, in Florida.
At the end of about fifteen minutes of pleasant chatting, which turned out to be good conversation about babies and their development (and of course we chatted about my grandchildren), I said something that stopped the former nanny in her tracks. “I’ve never heard anyone say that before, ever. People always talk about how they miss their children being young. They never say _____ [what I just said].” I said, “Did I just say that? Well, I guess I did.”
At every level, writers face disappointment, rejection, and failure. Developing wellness practices to manage challenges like envy and comparison, imposter syndrome, addiction, social media rumination, and work/life balance makes all the difference.
A Mother’s Firsthand Experience of Protesting With Hands Off
by Jess Gilman
Before the protest, I had a moment. A moment where, as I was getting ready, I felt overwhelmed with fear—for our country, for my family, for my friends. I ugly cried before pulling myself together, enlisting my son Emerson’s help to make a sign, and heading out to try to make a difference.
My friend Suzanne Heagy competed in Trivia Night in her new town last night. Her group won second place. She used to play trivia in her old town. I was jealous (in […]
Have you seen the quote going round the internet about Yule Boasts? It begins, “Yule boasting is an old Norse tradition of getting [drunk] at the winter solstice feast and standing up to proclaim all the great, infamous, and wildly improbable deeds you will perform in the coming year.” It goes on from there, and it’s a truly exciting idea.
Donald Trump says “God Bless You” and “God Bless America” and sells Bibles and claims to be a Christian. Does anyone actually believe him? When he was asked if the Old Testament […]
I am at peace this election eve, friends. I wish more people felt the same. I have faith in the citizens of our country. And I know our country is already great […]
We should always be stretching our imaginations, exploring the limits imposed on us from within or without, and we should be stepping toward what feeds us. I didn’t think that was objectionable. I thought everyone understood the power of having dreams.
Suzannah Gail Collins recalls three unforgettable culinary experiences. In Paris, a hidden patisserie offered an exquisite chocolate tart. In Italy, a poet’s reading was followed by a delightful moscato experience. In Portugal as a weary traveler, she was surprised with the most delicious gaspacho.
Because this is Women’s History Month, the world’s sexiest misogynist, Sean Connery, is interrogated by The Gloria Sirens and can answer only with words he uttered as James Bond. The Gloria Sirens […]
The Gloria Sirens 