Articles by Nick Ripatrazone

April 16, 2013

Counter and Strange: Contemporary Catholic Literature 11

Catholic literature is thriving. Some are Catholic, some write about Catholic themes and characters, and some react against Catholicism.

August 1, 2012

Got an MFA? Teach High School. 26

Writers I publish with give a look of pain when I tell them I teach high school, wondering how I have any remaining interest or energy to write. I argue that I not only have sufficient time — the summers certainly help — but the emotional freedom that sometimes is only provided through job security.

April 17, 2012

Men at War 5

Belief in surviving POWs “could be regarded as the closest thing we have to a national religion.” It is still difficult for me to read the questions that Gordo’s parents typed on the flyer: “Did you know our son?” “Which camp was he in?” “How was he treated?” “Do you know if our son received any of our mail?”

February 15, 2012

On Getting Paid: Literary Magazines and Remuneration 39

The economy of literary magazines appears to be a closed system. Money is tight, payment is low, and subscriptions and institutional support appear to be the final hope for sustenance. Does it have to be that way?