RAWI & AWP; open letter to PEN; Jewish Book Council initiative; more plagiarism from John Kucera; Chat GPT and editing; return of lit mags; merger of lit mags; jobs & opptys; markets & more
I am a reader of the newsletter though not typically active in the comments. I felt compelled to echo others — thank you Becky for reporting with integrity. I had not been aware of the goings-on at AWP.
As an American Jew of SWANA heritage, I have found Erika Dreifus's rhetoric and (seemingly uncritical) support of Israel, and implicitly its genocide, to be so off-putting that I unsubscribed from her newsletter. It saddens me to see someone I used to respect devalue Arab life in this way. I believe it is this devaluation of life — rather than criticism of Israel — that is ultimately cultivating antisemitism in this country and globally.
< John Kucera, known plagiarist, just submitted to Thimble Literary Magazine using the email johnkucera33@gmail.com, same as he usually does. This time with the name R.J. Franz. The email comes up as John Kucera, but now he's stating another name. ... >
Am I the only one who is mystified by the calls for a ceasefire in Gaza? The Palestinians HAD a ceasefire before they brutally raped, murdered and beheaded some 1300 Israelis. Now they’re surprised that Israel is fighting back? Give me a break.
I'm no expert on this, but I think what so many are struggling with is not Israel's right to defend itself or retaliate against a brutal assault, but the scale of the response--slaughtering tens of thousands of innocent people, destroying their homes, neighborhoods, economy--in short, their entire culture--past, present, and future. The extremity of Israel's response has shifted many in the international community from sympathetic to horrified and outraged, while also, most likely, sowing the seeds for further escalation.
Mary Gaitskill's Substack piece on how Gaza led her to shift from idealistically supporting Israel to taking a more critical view may be of interest to you and others. Here is the link:
Thanks for the link. Yes, this is the story I've been reading over and over (though this is by no means hackneyed!). Basically, what I was saying in my first response; it's the scale of the response that has turned so many of us. Unfortunately, the trenches have largely been dug and even reasonable statements (to me at least!) will be viewed through a polemical, good vs. evil lens. (I will now renew my New Yorker subscription so I can read Gessen's article.) Thanks for sharing!
Masha Gessen wrote follow up pieces the N+1 and NPR websites. Unlike the New Yorker, these do not have a paywall (though I still recommend the New Yorker article). There's also a video interview of her on the Hannah Arendt Prize controversy on Lithub.
Sowing the seeds for further escalation? Seriously? Are you aware that Hamas has vowed to destroy Israel, and stated as much in their charter, which was endorsed when 70 percent of the Palestinians voted for them? Israel is living next door to people who are bent on their destruction. If Palestine doesn’t want a war with them, it’s simple. Don’t attack them.
The exchange above, specifically Shelby's and other comments illustrate why so many that oppose Israel's action are making statements that can be considered antisemitic, given that they clearly know so little of the history of the conflict. The consistent misuse of the term genocide, to minimize the Holocaust (FYI there are two million Palestinians living in Israel, and most of the Palestinians in the world live in Jordan which Israel is not attacking), the well documented use by Hamas of human infrastructure shields by running tunnels underneath neighborhoods, schools, and hospitals https://stratcomcoe.org/cuploads/pfiles/hamas_human_shields.pdf , the collaboration of many UNWRA employees with Hamas, the six times the Palestinian leadership has been offered and refused a separate state, starting with the Peel commission of 1936, without a single counter-offer, The lumping of enemy combatants with civilian casualtys (estimates are over 12,000 of the dead were enemy combatants), I could go on. If you actually want to know why institutions should remain neutral in cases like this, please watch this video by Heterodox Academy https://heterodoxacademy.org/blog/universities-should-adopt-institutional-neutrality/
This probably isn't the forum to discuss the Israel - Palestine conflict, but your comment on allegations of genocide deserve a response.
Most critics of Israel's actions in Gaza (and, for that matter, the West Bank), aren't trying to minimize the Holocaust. But full or partial depopulation in Gaza - explicitly advocated or suggested by Israeli government figures - is possible and even likely. This could be de facto or intended ethnic cleansing, and, depending on a number of factors (intentionality, the scale of death and destruction, use of starvation, incitement by Israeli ministers, etc.) could be or could devolve into genocide. Although we probably won't know until after the fact, I think the potential analogy for Gaza isn't so much the Holocaust with its camps, but rather the Armenian genocide, the Serbian ethnic cleansing of Muslims in Bosnia, and the early 20th C. German genocide of Herrero and Nama peoples in what is today Namibia. At the time, these actions were justified as security measures to remove a threat or control an enemy population.
Now, some Americans view the Holocaust as justifying maximalist security and deterrence measures by a Jewish state. But genocide and ethnic cleansing for defensive or pre-emptive purposes are still genocide and ethnic cleansing. (Whether writers have a moral obligation to speak if they think these crimes are being committed is a separate question). As for Israeli narratives about human shields and UNRW collaboration, the history of the conflict, and who is to blame, I'd just point out that these are disputed and there are contrary reports and perspectives.
I've interacted with you over this topic before and we'll never agree. I stand by my opinion that what is going on in Gaza isn't genocide nor is genocide the policy of Israel. It is a horrible situation and certainly one that has incurred mass civilian casualties. Just as the US killed hundreds of thousands of Japanese civilians to end WWII. But neither of those actions meet the dictionary definition of genocide. And yes I do believe this is a strategic term used to minimize the Holocaust or portray Israelis as a blood thirsty people. I won't restate my earlier arguments regarding why this isn't a genocide. I never said individual writers shouldn't speak out, as long as they're not spouting antisemitic comments, but I did say that no one should be cancelled for exercising their right of free speech. If you think that wasn't what was going on explicitly or implicitly at AWP (I read a copy of the statement sent out by the unaffiliated group that fraudulently was set up to look like it was an AWP notification) then all this stuff about safe spaces, etc. that's been pushed for years is just water down the drain when it comes to Jews who support the right of Israel to exist. As I said in a previous post, if you're cancelling Zionists please just tell me so I won't waste my time submitting to your review. Finally, you repeatedly say things like "...these are disputed..." without providing any evidence. Norman Finkelstine a former professor and antisemite denies that the Holocaust ever happened. He's frequently cited by antisemites and so you could say "these are disputed" even though everyone except antisemites agree that six million (including five of my relatives) somehow were transported off the earth...
I didn't say "genocide"; nor did I cite any number lumping military combatants w/ civilian ones. As I said, I'm no expert, though saying I "know so little of the history" is rather harsh. But let's not stray into a food fight. For a good overview, check out (you other nonexperts out there!) good old snopes, which offers a factual and contextual correction to much of the misinformation swirling about: https://www.snopes.com/news/2023/11/01/majority-palestinians-gaza-elect-hamas/.
Please read carefully, here's what I actually said "specifically Shelby's and other comments", so when I made my genocide comment I was referring to another poster. I was puzzled by your Snopes link, because I never made any claims about who elected Hamas. It's well known that elections in both the West Bank and Gaza are a sham. The joke in Israel is "Abbas is in the fourteenth year of a four year term" I don't know if your comment about non-experts was directed at me, but I have done two fellowships in Middle Eastern Studies. And if you don't believe Jewish/Zionist authors are being cancelled (as are some Palestinians) please read the BDS movements statement on their cultural boycott, which seems to be directed towards institutions but has been used as a justification for cancelling and disruption of events sponsored by Jewish students/academics/authors https://bdsmovement.net/cultural-boycott
I read it plenty carefully, but thx for clarifying that though you mention me by name you were referring to others--both for the "genocide" accusation and, I assume, the one about "lumping together of enemy and civilian combatants." Though it makes me wonder what I said that makes me appear antisemitic and as if I "know so little of the history of the conflict." Also, where did I say, or imply, that I "don't believe Jewish authors are being cancelled"? Kind of amazing how distorting discussions can be once buttons get pushed and the the back and forth commences. If my comment summarizing much of the international view (in response to a question asked by the original commenter) pushed yours or anyone's button, I am sorry.
And no, I was not referring to you with my "other nonexperts out there" comment, but to myself and any other potential lay readers, as I had just stated in two places I was not an expert. (The Snopes link was an attempt to pull the discussion back and provide a factual correction to claims made in the original post re the 2006 Palestinian election.)
fair enough. though I found its discussion of Hamas' election in 2006 --both the actual number of people who voted for them and context explaining why--to be a helpful distillation.
True. But I wonder what "John Kucera" is getting from all this - - - a naive acceptance from an editor, followed by anger, scolding, and a lifetime ban?? Masochist and thief??
Maybe Kucera is getting his revenge on editors who insist on only publishing stories by minority writers or members of “marginalized” communities instead of just publishing great writing. Perhaps he’s written some brilliant short stories that didn’t quite come down on the right side of the political spectrum, or contained a word that was considered offensive or in poor taste by the watchdogs of political correctness in the literary world, and he’s tired of watching inferior work get published just because it suits the flavor of the day.
Bruce, have you read "The Spit of Him" - - - the wonderful short story (translated from the Danish version) in this week's New Yorker? I'm a subscriber; I believe this link will ferry you past the paywall.
Summary: On a cold, rainy night in November, a well-mannered schoolboy with a harsh, self-centered, often unemployed father, leaves the house to try to sell stickers door-to-door. His father has always disparaged the nearby village but Kevin, age 10, is curious about the villagers. When he knocks on the door of a well-appointed residence, and the homeowner recognizes his strong resemblance to his dissolute father - - "You're the spit of him!" - - family secrets are revealed.
Thomas Korsgaard's narrative proceeds the way a well-plotted one-act drama unfolds.
Bruce, I'm a long-time subscriber to The New Yorker.
The link was a GIFT to you - - and any of our colleagues who miss "the good old days" of a well-crafted story, short fiction that (perhaps) inspired our younger selves to take up a pen.
Notice, too, that The New Yorker is also holding the line on the professional bio-note - - as we used to see in all the first-rate literary journals we grew up with.
Who knows, it could be anything? It sadly comes down to already overworked editors who will have to do a quick google of lines of subs on the short lists. I used to do that for grad school personal statements when I was a recruiter, and every year there were several that plagiarized something.
Becky,
Thank you for reporting in a neutral way on disagreements within the literary community over the Middle East. Much appreciated.
I am a reader of the newsletter though not typically active in the comments. I felt compelled to echo others — thank you Becky for reporting with integrity. I had not been aware of the goings-on at AWP.
As an American Jew of SWANA heritage, I have found Erika Dreifus's rhetoric and (seemingly uncritical) support of Israel, and implicitly its genocide, to be so off-putting that I unsubscribed from her newsletter. It saddens me to see someone I used to respect devalue Arab life in this way. I believe it is this devaluation of life — rather than criticism of Israel — that is ultimately cultivating antisemitism in this country and globally.
Thank you for always being brave, Becky, and for not shying away from controversy. So rare these days.
Oh, no one knows the zine trouble I've seen!
I stole a crummy story! Is that obscene?
When friends see my bio, they always turn green.
But the consequences were (sadly) unforeseen.
Editors have accused me (- MOI!!! -) of being mean.
Hey, I'm not just a thief! I'm a legend --- a machine.
- - Yours truly, John Kucera / R. .J. Franz
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
< John Kucera, known plagiarist, just submitted to Thimble Literary Magazine using the email johnkucera33@gmail.com, same as he usually does. This time with the name R.J. Franz. The email comes up as John Kucera, but now he's stating another name. ... >
Am I the only one who is mystified by the calls for a ceasefire in Gaza? The Palestinians HAD a ceasefire before they brutally raped, murdered and beheaded some 1300 Israelis. Now they’re surprised that Israel is fighting back? Give me a break.
I'm no expert on this, but I think what so many are struggling with is not Israel's right to defend itself or retaliate against a brutal assault, but the scale of the response--slaughtering tens of thousands of innocent people, destroying their homes, neighborhoods, economy--in short, their entire culture--past, present, and future. The extremity of Israel's response has shifted many in the international community from sympathetic to horrified and outraged, while also, most likely, sowing the seeds for further escalation.
Mary Gaitskill's Substack piece on how Gaza led her to shift from idealistically supporting Israel to taking a more critical view may be of interest to you and others. Here is the link:
https://marygaitskill.substack.com/p/stunned-by-what-i-see
Thanks for the link. Yes, this is the story I've been reading over and over (though this is by no means hackneyed!). Basically, what I was saying in my first response; it's the scale of the response that has turned so many of us. Unfortunately, the trenches have largely been dug and even reasonable statements (to me at least!) will be viewed through a polemical, good vs. evil lens. (I will now renew my New Yorker subscription so I can read Gessen's article.) Thanks for sharing!
Masha Gessen wrote follow up pieces the N+1 and NPR websites. Unlike the New Yorker, these do not have a paywall (though I still recommend the New Yorker article). There's also a video interview of her on the Hannah Arendt Prize controversy on Lithub.
Thanks. I'm overdue for NYer renewal anyway. Will check out the interview as well. Thx again!
Sowing the seeds for further escalation? Seriously? Are you aware that Hamas has vowed to destroy Israel, and stated as much in their charter, which was endorsed when 70 percent of the Palestinians voted for them? Israel is living next door to people who are bent on their destruction. If Palestine doesn’t want a war with them, it’s simple. Don’t attack them.
The exchange above, specifically Shelby's and other comments illustrate why so many that oppose Israel's action are making statements that can be considered antisemitic, given that they clearly know so little of the history of the conflict. The consistent misuse of the term genocide, to minimize the Holocaust (FYI there are two million Palestinians living in Israel, and most of the Palestinians in the world live in Jordan which Israel is not attacking), the well documented use by Hamas of human infrastructure shields by running tunnels underneath neighborhoods, schools, and hospitals https://stratcomcoe.org/cuploads/pfiles/hamas_human_shields.pdf , the collaboration of many UNWRA employees with Hamas, the six times the Palestinian leadership has been offered and refused a separate state, starting with the Peel commission of 1936, without a single counter-offer, The lumping of enemy combatants with civilian casualtys (estimates are over 12,000 of the dead were enemy combatants), I could go on. If you actually want to know why institutions should remain neutral in cases like this, please watch this video by Heterodox Academy https://heterodoxacademy.org/blog/universities-should-adopt-institutional-neutrality/
This probably isn't the forum to discuss the Israel - Palestine conflict, but your comment on allegations of genocide deserve a response.
Most critics of Israel's actions in Gaza (and, for that matter, the West Bank), aren't trying to minimize the Holocaust. But full or partial depopulation in Gaza - explicitly advocated or suggested by Israeli government figures - is possible and even likely. This could be de facto or intended ethnic cleansing, and, depending on a number of factors (intentionality, the scale of death and destruction, use of starvation, incitement by Israeli ministers, etc.) could be or could devolve into genocide. Although we probably won't know until after the fact, I think the potential analogy for Gaza isn't so much the Holocaust with its camps, but rather the Armenian genocide, the Serbian ethnic cleansing of Muslims in Bosnia, and the early 20th C. German genocide of Herrero and Nama peoples in what is today Namibia. At the time, these actions were justified as security measures to remove a threat or control an enemy population.
Now, some Americans view the Holocaust as justifying maximalist security and deterrence measures by a Jewish state. But genocide and ethnic cleansing for defensive or pre-emptive purposes are still genocide and ethnic cleansing. (Whether writers have a moral obligation to speak if they think these crimes are being committed is a separate question). As for Israeli narratives about human shields and UNRW collaboration, the history of the conflict, and who is to blame, I'd just point out that these are disputed and there are contrary reports and perspectives.
I've interacted with you over this topic before and we'll never agree. I stand by my opinion that what is going on in Gaza isn't genocide nor is genocide the policy of Israel. It is a horrible situation and certainly one that has incurred mass civilian casualties. Just as the US killed hundreds of thousands of Japanese civilians to end WWII. But neither of those actions meet the dictionary definition of genocide. And yes I do believe this is a strategic term used to minimize the Holocaust or portray Israelis as a blood thirsty people. I won't restate my earlier arguments regarding why this isn't a genocide. I never said individual writers shouldn't speak out, as long as they're not spouting antisemitic comments, but I did say that no one should be cancelled for exercising their right of free speech. If you think that wasn't what was going on explicitly or implicitly at AWP (I read a copy of the statement sent out by the unaffiliated group that fraudulently was set up to look like it was an AWP notification) then all this stuff about safe spaces, etc. that's been pushed for years is just water down the drain when it comes to Jews who support the right of Israel to exist. As I said in a previous post, if you're cancelling Zionists please just tell me so I won't waste my time submitting to your review. Finally, you repeatedly say things like "...these are disputed..." without providing any evidence. Norman Finkelstine a former professor and antisemite denies that the Holocaust ever happened. He's frequently cited by antisemites and so you could say "these are disputed" even though everyone except antisemites agree that six million (including five of my relatives) somehow were transported off the earth...
I didn't say "genocide"; nor did I cite any number lumping military combatants w/ civilian ones. As I said, I'm no expert, though saying I "know so little of the history" is rather harsh. But let's not stray into a food fight. For a good overview, check out (you other nonexperts out there!) good old snopes, which offers a factual and contextual correction to much of the misinformation swirling about: https://www.snopes.com/news/2023/11/01/majority-palestinians-gaza-elect-hamas/.
Please read carefully, here's what I actually said "specifically Shelby's and other comments", so when I made my genocide comment I was referring to another poster. I was puzzled by your Snopes link, because I never made any claims about who elected Hamas. It's well known that elections in both the West Bank and Gaza are a sham. The joke in Israel is "Abbas is in the fourteenth year of a four year term" I don't know if your comment about non-experts was directed at me, but I have done two fellowships in Middle Eastern Studies. And if you don't believe Jewish/Zionist authors are being cancelled (as are some Palestinians) please read the BDS movements statement on their cultural boycott, which seems to be directed towards institutions but has been used as a justification for cancelling and disruption of events sponsored by Jewish students/academics/authors https://bdsmovement.net/cultural-boycott
I read it plenty carefully, but thx for clarifying that though you mention me by name you were referring to others--both for the "genocide" accusation and, I assume, the one about "lumping together of enemy and civilian combatants." Though it makes me wonder what I said that makes me appear antisemitic and as if I "know so little of the history of the conflict." Also, where did I say, or imply, that I "don't believe Jewish authors are being cancelled"? Kind of amazing how distorting discussions can be once buttons get pushed and the the back and forth commences. If my comment summarizing much of the international view (in response to a question asked by the original commenter) pushed yours or anyone's button, I am sorry.
And no, I was not referring to you with my "other nonexperts out there" comment, but to myself and any other potential lay readers, as I had just stated in two places I was not an expert. (The Snopes link was an attempt to pull the discussion back and provide a factual correction to claims made in the original post re the 2006 Palestinian election.)
This is not to provoke, honestly! But snopes provides some helpful context and a correction to some of your comments, as the situation seems to be quite complex, not simple at all. https://www.snopes.com/news/2023/11/01/majority-palestinians-gaza-elect-hamas/
This is not to provoke, either, but you should not expect to find anything sympathetic or fair to Israel on Snopes.
fair enough. though I found its discussion of Hamas' election in 2006 --both the actual number of people who voted for them and context explaining why--to be a helpful distillation.
Yes I am all too aware. I've been reading the back and forth for months now. Best of luck!
If plagiarists have ever been paid, then there is a trail to find them. PayPal, cashed cheques, etc. all link to bank accts and can be traced.
True. But I wonder what "John Kucera" is getting from all this - - - a naive acceptance from an editor, followed by anger, scolding, and a lifetime ban?? Masochist and thief??
Maybe Kucera is getting his revenge on editors who insist on only publishing stories by minority writers or members of “marginalized” communities instead of just publishing great writing. Perhaps he’s written some brilliant short stories that didn’t quite come down on the right side of the political spectrum, or contained a word that was considered offensive or in poor taste by the watchdogs of political correctness in the literary world, and he’s tired of watching inferior work get published just because it suits the flavor of the day.
Bruce, have you read "The Spit of Him" - - - the wonderful short story (translated from the Danish version) in this week's New Yorker? I'm a subscriber; I believe this link will ferry you past the paywall.
Summary: On a cold, rainy night in November, a well-mannered schoolboy with a harsh, self-centered, often unemployed father, leaves the house to try to sell stickers door-to-door. His father has always disparaged the nearby village but Kevin, age 10, is curious about the villagers. When he knocks on the door of a well-appointed residence, and the homeowner recognizes his strong resemblance to his dissolute father - - "You're the spit of him!" - - family secrets are revealed.
Thomas Korsgaard's narrative proceeds the way a well-plotted one-act drama unfolds.
* * * LINK: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2024/03/04/the-spit-of-him-fiction-thomas-korsgaard
Thanks! Wonderful story! I’m impressed that you could get behind the paywall.
Bruce, I'm a long-time subscriber to The New Yorker.
The link was a GIFT to you - - and any of our colleagues who miss "the good old days" of a well-crafted story, short fiction that (perhaps) inspired our younger selves to take up a pen.
Notice, too, that The New Yorker is also holding the line on the professional bio-note - - as we used to see in all the first-rate literary journals we grew up with.
Thanks for the gift!
Well, Bruce, he's certainly got us talking about his nom de plume!
I wonder if / what he publishes under his real name.....?
Who knows, it could be anything? It sadly comes down to already overworked editors who will have to do a quick google of lines of subs on the short lists. I used to do that for grad school personal statements when I was a recruiter, and every year there were several that plagiarized something.
Stealing a "personal statement" written by someone else . . . that takes the cake.
Your ending diatribe inspired me once again! Thank you, Becky!
I, for one, would be perfectly happy to see the "legacy" of Creative Nonfiction not live on.
Interesting. The magazine or the genre?
The magazine because of its outrageous submission fees.
This is off topic but .. do you know anyone at The Adirondack Review?
I've emailed them a couple times with no response.
NOT a good sign. Yikes.