NonFictionEscapism – Nonfiction book reviews, stories, and ideas

Favorite Articles Issue 7 – Korea

December 4, 2025

Korea The South Korean government has spent the last 30 years projecting an image of itself as a technological powerhouse with a lively entertainment industry and a way of life to be envied. This image is founded in a certain reality, but it’s important to remember that South Korea is not a monolith. Even this small, racially homogenous country is made up of fragmented groups with disparate interests. And despite what many people think, South Korea is truly diverse. In fact, South Korea is hard—nigh impossible—to encapsulate in a single all-encompassing generalization. The three articles collected below provide a small taste of what life is like in South Korea for a few of its 50 million citizens. Loneliness “Tune in, drop out” by Ann Babe (2020) lingers on the lives of young, lonely South Koreans. Babe shows a side of South Korea in which the less ambitious find themselves isolated. Determined to avoid the cruelty Read more…

My Publications

To Be an Author in Panorama: The Journal of Travel, Place, and Nature

December 1, 2025

The rule of three suggests that items, events, and plot points grouped into threes tickle the brain in a more satisfying way than singles, repetitions of twos, or needlessly longer series. With that being said, today marks my third appearance in Panorama: The Journal of Travel, Place, and Nature— a journal whose very title suggests an affinity with the rule of three. I’m no numerologist (and I hope you aren’t either), but I must confess my infatuation with the number three. Like many writers, I find that threes work their way into my prose over and over again. And now it seems, threes have worked their way into my publication history too. But I digress. For this Winter 2025 issue on the topic of Encounters, I’ve published a personal essay disguised as a book review. “To Be an Author” is ostensibly a review of Frank Dax’s book Real Toads, Imagined Garden, but the review is Read more…

My Publications

Dear Michael Kirst in The Republic of Letters

October 13, 2025

I’ve become something of a regular contributor at The Republic of Letters (two publications in three months). My most recent one is, interestingly enough, an actual letter titled, “Dear Michael Kirst.” It isn’t the first letter I’ve ever written, but it’s my first published one, and for this I’d like to once again thank Sam Kahn for choosing my work for publication. I’ve heard that editors are supposed to support writers, but Sam goes above and beyond. He takes sides, and he’s got my back. Check out the forward that he wrote to my letter “Daniel Speechly writes to Michael Kirst of the California State Board of Education. ROL certainly has never heard of Michael Kirst, but, you know what, fuck that guy.” I don’t know another editor who would go to bat for me in such a manner. Thanks Sam. I’ve highlighted other interesting work published on ROL in a previous post here, but Read more…

Favorite Articles

Favorite Articles Issue 6 – Lit Mag News

October 11, 2025

Lit Mag News This week I want to share a few of the best reads from Lit Mag News. Lit Mag News, Becky Tuch’s Substack, is a font of knowledge for both beginner and experienced writers alike. If you’ve so much as thought to publish in a literary journal, read through the archive on Lit Mag News to learn the ins and outs of the process. And even if you’re an old hand, you’ll likely find something of interest. The breadth of articles available provide information straight from a host of editors and published writers. There’s also news, personal essays, advice columns, and criticism. If it’s related to lit mags, you’ll find it on Lit Mag News. The core feature of Lit Mag News, however, is the titular news column. Becky’s reports are as well known for their support of the industry as they are for their no-nonsense criticism. Becky simply calls it as she Read more…

My Publications

Black Ink in Westwind, UCLA’s Journal of the Arts

September 28, 2025

I’m happy to announce that my short story, “Black Ink,” has been featured in the the spring 2025 issue of Westwind, UCLA’s Journal of the Arts. In my short writing career, I’ve published two pieces of flash fiction, but “Black Ink” is my first true short story. Because of this, it’s one of my standout achievements of 2025, and more importantly it’s a real motivation to continue writing fiction. If you like magical realism or literary fantasy, please check out the story on page 15 of the journal. I think you’ll enjoy reading it as much I enjoyed writing it. I’d also like to thank editors Rachel Tapia, Hannah Park, Diana Sargsyan, and Julia Wong. They provided descriptive feedback that allowed me to tighten the narrative arc and craft a more compelling conclusion. I had a great experience working with them, and whether they continue to work as editors or writers, I look forward to Read more…

My Publications

The Importance of (Good) Self-Promotion in Lit Mag News

August 3, 2025

I’ve had another article published in Lit Mag News. “The Importance of (Good) Self-Promotion” explores a handful of useful methods for self-promotion. I want to add that Lit Mag News is hands down one of the best sources of information about literary magazines. As an example of the high quality of work on the site, you should read Becky Tuch’s most recent news roundup. In the article she follows up on the most recent literary hoax to hit the poetry world, warns of the inflated fees being charged for submissions, and highlights an excellent essay by Naomi Kanakia about being favored by the literary world.

My Publications

Paris Syndrome: Pari Shōkōgun in Panorama: The Journal of Travel, Place, and Nature

July 31, 2025

It’s a great honor to be published in Issue 15 of Panorama Journal. The publication of my flash essay, “Paris Syndrome: Pari Shōkōgun,” marks my second appearance in Panorama Journal. I am particularly fond of the journal as it hosts my first ever publication, “An Acquaintance with Geumjeong Mountain.” Since that initial publication, I’ve put out seven other essays and stories with five of those being released in the first half of 2025. I seem to have landed in a groove that I hope to maintain until the end of the year. Moving forward I aim not only to expand the number of outlets that host my work but also form relationships with journals where I have already been published. There’s something quaint and familiar about establishing a pseudo-monogamous relationship with a publication instead of always carrying out a series of metaphorical one-night stands. Be sure to also check out “Invasive Species” by Noah Weisz. Read more…

Favorite Articles

Favorite Articles Issue 5 – The Republic of Letters

July 22, 2025

The Republic of Letters This week I want to share five of my favorite articles from The Republic of Letters. Sam Kahn’s Substack is home to some of the best new literary debates, discussions, and essays to be found online in 2025. This Favorite Articles issue was prompted by my recent publication of “Beware Paul Theroux!” I’m excited to share my own recent success, but more importantly, I want to share the success of the other authors’ published before me. Unfortunately, I’m not always able to find work that I adore in the publications where my essays are accepted. That being said, I always try to hunt down at least one memorable piece that I think readers of my work might also enjoy. For instance, I shared Hannah Walhout’s amazing essay, “Year of The Egg,” when I was published in The Inquisitive Eater and Kimberly Hoff’s “The Language of Belonging” as well as Leslie Carol Read more…

My Publications

Beware Paul Theroux! in The Republic of Letters

July 18, 2025

I can’t believe my essay “Beware Paul Theroux!” was selected for inclusion in The Republic of Letters Substack. I’m a true fan of Sam Kahn’s publication. This, his most recent Substack, has only been around since March 2025, but it has already published many of my favorite reads of the year. I’m honored to have my essay placed alongside them. And I’m stoked to be getting paid for my writing. More importantly, I experienced a personal first shortly after publication. A handful of readers not only liked my essay, but quoted and shared their favorite lines. The sentence, “And likewise, we also learned the much harder lesson that there is no such thing as going home, for the home that we carried in our hearts stopped existing the moment we left it behind, ” connected with a number of readers. I would also add that working with Sam Kahn was a great experience. You would Read more…

My Publications

Transparency, Promotion, and Design: Tools for Building Stronger Lit Mags in Lit Mag News

June 29, 2025

I’ve had the good fortune of being published in Becky Tuch’s Lit Mag News. Lit Mag News is a popular site for writers interested in literary journals. Because of the popularity of the site, my article “Transparency, Promotion, and Design: Tools for Building Strong Lit Mags” will probably be my widest read work to date. This is fantastic as I’ve been able to include links to my other work within the article, thereby sneaking in some self-promotion alongside the main message. The other good news is that Lit Mag News is a paying publication. This will be the first paycheck I will have earned from writing, and because of this, Becky Tuch will always have a special place in my heart.

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