The sexiest essay I've ever written + poetry reading at the magazine's issue launch

With the exception of the sex writing I do under a pseudonym––and only my three closest besties know my pseudonym––the sexiest essay I’ve ever written was just published!

It just felt right to publish “On Languishing” under my own name. I’ve been really inspired by Nobel Prize winner Annie Ernaux, who popularized autofiction and literary sex writing, and it’s something I want to see more of in the “literary” world. Plus, unlike the sex writing I do under my pseudonym, I let my lover, Michael, who inspired the essay, read it.

He approved so much that he came to the magazine’s issue launch and let me introduce him as “that guy from the essay.” He didn’t even mind the raised eyebrows and sly grins from the editors.

That essay was published in the 50th anniversary issue of Ohio State University’s literary magazine, The Journal. There was a launch party at Two Dollar Radio Headquarters in Columbus, and despite the foul, snowy weather, folks packed the house!

Because the essay is several pages long and would take ages to read aloud, I decided to share some poems instead. One of the poems I read, “the clamshell,” is actually forthcoming in the next issue of the magazine! It’s online already and will be forthcoming in print.

My friend took a video of me reading this poem, as well as a handful of other poems (about nature, Palestine, my family, and love), so check it out!