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Throwing Down the CLMP Bee GauntletOctober 21, 2008 I am about to buy my Stalwart Speller ticket for the Council of Literary Magazines and Presses annual Spelling Bee on November 3rd (yes, THAT Nov. 3rd -- the night before the election. I've already voted by absentee ballot in Virginia, so I can leave my state knowing I've fulfilled my civic duty). More deets in the link, and below -- but now, let me tell you why I'm going to kick some serious keister in this contest. Watch out, Meg Wolitzer, Heidi Julavits, and yes, you, my beloved editor in chief Sara Nelson: I am not to be messed with when it comes to spelling.Yes, back in the day (waaaaay back in the day), I was a spelling bee champion whose path to glory was felled -- by a typo. Is that not tragic? It was during the New York State Spelling Bee, held annually at the State Fair. There were four of us left on stage. It was my turn. My word? "Psaltery," an ancient stringed instrument. "Psaltery," said Little Miss Maven. "P-S-A-L-T-E-R-Y. Psaltery." "That is incorrect," intoned the Monsignor who was running the show. "The word is P-S-A-L-T-O-R-Y." Well, of course it isn't. But that wasn't his fault; he was reading from a carefully (but not carefully enough!) typed list. My mother, who had coached me through endless word lists, knew I was right. And, according to the rules of Bee decorum, she was supposed to leap from her seat with an "Objection!" (or something like that) before the next contestant was given a word. Alas, such was her grief and disappointment that she failed to leave her seat. We found out afterward that the list was incorrect and that I should have gone on... But it was too late. Sniff! Excuse me for a moment while I hit the (metaphorical, I assure you) gin bottle. Isn't that a tragic tale? However, this is my chance. This is my moment. I can stand before my peers and take a shot at spelling glory once again. If all else fails and the gin gets in the way, I can always take a chance on a Kate Spade trinket or dinner for two at the Spice Market. WHAT: The CLMP Spelling Bee WHEN: Monday, November 3rd, 2008 -- 7 p.m. Silent Auction, 8 p.m. Bee WHERE: Diane von Furstenberg Studio at 440 W. 14th St WHO: Brave Spellers so far: Meg Wolitzer returns as Miss Spell to defend her fabulous aluminum foil crown against a swarm of usurping spellers. Jonathan Burnham (Publisher, HarperCollins) Michael Cunningham (SPECIMEN DAYS) David Gates (THE WONDERS OF THE INVISIBLE WORLD) Heidi Julavits (THE USES OF ENCHANTMENT) Wayne Koestenbaum (HOTEL THEORY) Alex Kuczynski (BEAUTY JUNKIES) Honor Moore (THE BISHOP'S DAUGHTER) Sara Nelson (Editor-in-Chief, Publisher's Weekly) Judith Thurman (CLEOPATRA'S NOSE) Emcee: Bob Morris Judge: Jesse Sheidlower (Editor-at-Large, OXFORD ENGLISH DICTIONARY) HOW: $75 (Stalwart Speller) / $250 ("Patron" ticket) *all but $25 per ticket is tax-deductible Here's the link! Posted by Bethanne Patrick on October 21, 2008 | Comments (2)
October 21, 2008
In response to: Throwing Down the CLMP Bee Gauntlet Joanne commented: Oh how fun! I, too, was a would-bee, felled by "accommodate" (who knew it had two m's?) at my school's annual spelling bee. My sister went on (two years later) to the county level (typical of sisters, I don't remember which word she missed, though I'm quite sure she does). Best of luck, Ms. Maven -- and I'll find a way to play the psaltery for you if you win!
October 22, 2008
In response to: Throwing Down the CLMP Bee Gauntlet Jay Baron Nicorvo, CLMP commented: Bethanne, Thank you kindly for the mention of our Bee. It's awfully fun and it fund-raises for a good cause: indie publishing. See you there!
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