I believe I understand more thoroughly how writers work.  This is especially essential in nonfiction, for the demands on a writer are more three-dimensional.  Nonfiction writers invariably must research and/or report; interaction with the outside world is essential.  Memoirists have their own special demons to confront–more immediate because they are writing from truth.

I get up every morning of my life at 500-530 a.m. and drink coffee and type away from there.

Read the magazine first to make certain it is the kind of piece we are seeking–and then put the piece in a drawer for three months.  And when you look at it again and you are absolutely certain it is the very best you can do and you are exceedingly proud of it–then send.

If you look at our published pieces, the majority come from women. In fact we had an intern do our count yesterday, and–not that this is surprising–our numbers run way in the other direction. Overall for the 3 issues of the redesign, we’re at about 50/50, but the numbers get more interesting beyond that (though of course it’s a relatively small sample, which is a factor). Most interesting is our submissions rates–we counted recent contests and what’s around the office, and they all skew really female. Which, apparently, is not the case at other places.

(See CNF’s count HERE)

What excites you most about the latest issue of CNF?

Every issue excites me more than the previous one.  Starting and continuing to publish CNF Magazine for 17 years is, for me, a great triumph.