Years ago, when Calyx Publisher Margarita Donnelly was still alive, she told self about Hedgebrook. She said, It’s the most magical place. But you can only go once. So don’t waste it.
Self had Hedgebrook, that tantalizing lure, in the back of her mind, for decades. Eventually, she started writing a novel. Then she thought: This could be finally be the project I can apply to Hedgebrook for.
She did not hear back on her application, for almost a year.
Wow, they must have tons of applications, self thought.
Finally, because her landlady was pressuring her to extend her lease, and self didn’t want to do that if she was going to Hedgebrook, she decided to call Hedgebrook.
“Umm, hello,” self said. “Have the results of next year’s residencies already been released?”
Impactful (maybe also painful) silence.
Who is this?
“Marianne Villanueva.”
Another long silence. “The results were announced six months ago. We’ll have someone call you.”
And that’s when self’s gut fell all the way to the bottom of her shoes.
Sure enough, someone did call to tell self she’d been rejected. Not wait-listed. Just flat-out rejected. “There’s Centrum, if you like the area,” said the caller.
“Oh,” self said. “Thanks so much for the recommendation.”
Stay tuned.
Kanlaon 