June Recap, July Reading Series, and a Belated Happy Birthday to Must Love Memoir

As a childless 36 year old, I had to look this up, but according to the internet, babies typically learn how to stand up on their own by one year old. That information might have already been stored somewhere in my brain, but I’ve never actually seen a baby take their first step.

So as my little reading series turned one and the batteries powering my biological clock continue to drain, I find myself channeling my maternal instinct through my cat, Gunther, and this little series I created and nurtured over the last twelve months.

Forgive me for the convoluted mother metaphor—it’s early, and I’m only half way through my coffee, and I’m still in awe over last month's celebration for the one year anniversary of Must Love Memoir. Perhaps it was the cake, or the Prosecco, or the 50 people who showed up, or the six incredible readers who shared their work—but it feels like my baby is finally learning to walk on her own.

If you were there, you can attest to the magic that was in the air that evening. The atmosphere buzzed with a different kind of energy—new faces who just discovered the series and familiar friends who have shown up each month with their support. People crammed into every available corner of The Oak Cellar room at Jake’s Dilemma, and I started the night off sweaty and slightly flustered from all the body heat.

It was a perfect evening and I wouldn’t change a thing.

The Readings

Without planning it, and without even making the connection to my earlier metaphor until right now, motherhood seemed to thread its way through a lot of the pieces that were read that night. Most of the readers touched on parenting in one way or another—through laughter and sadness, curiosity and understanding. I love when stuff like that happens by accident.

Luke Sullivan started off the night with a humorous essay he wrote for father’s day. Then Morgan Sanguedolce, taking a cue from my New York City prompt, shared a piece about her powerful connection to Washington Square Park through the lens of different relationships. The date happened to coincide with my 10 year anniversary of living in New York City and it was so great to have a friend share such a personal piece about her own relationship to New York.

We also celebrated FOUR memoirs/essay collections—both newly published and forthcoming—Barrie Miskin’s Hell Gate Bridge, Khaholi Bailey’s The Miseducation of a 90s Baby, and Hyeseung Song’s Docile: Memoirs of a not-so-perfect Asian girl (out July 16). In addition to new books, we celebrated a second 1 year anniversary for Kelly McMaster’s The Leaving Season.

And of course we had cake from By the Way Bakery—my favorite gluten-free and dairy free bake shop! I opted for the classic vanilla frosting purely for the night’s aesthetics and to keep it simple, but I’m more of a chocolate frosting fan if I’m being honest.

What’s Next

I’ll confess after I rode the high of the night for a full 24 hours, I crashed a little at the end of it, having a brief moment of anxiety that I’d never be able to top what was arguably the most successful event yet. But I’m sure as hell going to try.

Next month’s reading will take place on Tuesday, July 9 with another all-new lineup and I’m just delusional enough to think another 50 people will show up to love and appreciate personal stories together and support all the readers.

Katie Machen

Katie Machen is a writer and cheesemonger based in Jackson Heights, Queens by way of Maryland, Pennsylvania, France, and New Zealand. Her work has appeared in River Teeth, Entropy, Off Assignment, and others, and she holds an MFA in creative nonfiction from Queens College, CUNY. 

Learn more about Katie here.

Emily Polson

Emily Polson is a Pushcart-nominated writer whose work has appeared in HAD, Pidgeonholes, Salt Hill Journal, Capsule Stories, Wizards in Space, and elsewhere. She earned a BFA in creative writing from Belhaven University and is pursuing an MFA at the City College of New York. Originally from Iowa, she now lives in Brooklyn and works as an editor at Scribner. 

More on Emily here.

Stephanie Zlotnick

Steph Zlotnick is an adjunct lecturer of English at the City College of New York and writing tutor at the Fashion Institute of Technology. She holds an MA in Language and Literacy from CCNY. When she’s not thinking about language, you can find her in the kitchen baking delicious treats, brewery hopping with her fiancée, or showing people pictures of her cat, Gloria.

Follow Stephanie on Instagram here.

Lynn Lobban

Lynn Lobban, an actor/singer/writer, made her Broadway debut in the Tony-nominated Quilters, did countless TV commercials, sang in NY cabarets, and is the original "Mommy voice" for Music Together, an early childhood music program. She received her MFA in Playwriting from Goddard College. Her short play, Bit of a Blow, was produced in Australia and Los Angeles, her articles have been featured in Dartmouth Alumni Magazine, and her Tiny Love Story: 7 Women and 3,000 Men, appeared in The New York Times.

More info on Lynn here.

Get your copy of One of the Boys here.

Anne Elizabeth Moore

Anne Elizabeth Moore was born in Winner SD and lives in the Western Catskills. She is the author of Body Horror: Capitalism, Fear, Misogyny, Jokes; Gentrifier: A Memoir; Unmarketable, and other titles. She is a Fulbright Senior Scholar, the former editor of Punk Planet and the Chicago Reader, and was the founding editor of the Best American Comics. She has received support from the National Endowment from the Arts, the New York State Council on the Arts, and the Fund for Investigative Journalism. She is currently working on the second season of the true-crime podcast My Inevitable Murder, in which she investigates her own as-yet uncommitted murder.

More info on Anne here.

Get your copy of Gentrifier here.

Get your copy of Body Horror: Capitalism, Fear, Misogyny, Jokes here.

I’ll see you there!

Make sure July 9 is marked on your calendar. Readings begin around 7:30 but arrive a little early if you want to snag a seat. There is also a lovely waitress (Katie) who works very hard each month to take good care of us. She’ll get all your drinks and food for you so you don’t have to leave your spot!

Let me know in the comments who you’re excited to see next month (everybody, right?), what you love about the series, what your favorite memoir is right now, or most importantly, what’s you’re favorite cake and frosting combo!

Until next time,

Krystal