So, would you write a professor you haven't talked to in more than ten years to tell them a poem you first wrote in their class won a Rhysling? 💀 (*melts from anxiety*)
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If the professor had any influence on the work by your attending his class, then absolutely. Educators love to hear that their efforts result in success for their students
Yes, I am positive that hearing this, that he made a difference in someone’s life, especially in this way, and that you remember him still, would melt him just as much as you yourself are now melting!!
Yes! I update teachers if a story I wrote in their class gets published, and send them a copy if it isn't online. I was a former teacher, so I'm always wondering what my past students are up to. Or, maybe I'm just being annoying, lol.
Wow, congrats! I'm assuming this is an innocent and happy post and you have a good relationship with your professor, and not you trying to get back at them for not recognizing your brilliance. Meh, I'd send it either way lol
Yes, as a retired English lecturer, it makes me so happy when ex students bother to track me down and let me know their triumphs no matter how big or just nice.
I got a response!! All I can say is that there are so few chances as you get older to reconnect with your past, and I'm so glad I didn't let this one go. The really great teachers really do wish for your success 😭
I asked my prof how he knows when to stop editing a poem, and he referred me to Galway Kinnell, Pulitzer Prize winner, who continued to rewrite + perform newer versions of his famous poem, THE BEAR, long after it was published.
Oh yeah, that’s true. I once heard someone say, each publication is a chance to re-edit. I’ve totally tweaked stuff when reprinted. As your skills improve with time, why wouldn’t you?
I’m not too bad for that. I tweak things a little but it’s still the same basic story. Usually it’s more like fixing typos and stuff I noticed too late. Once it was a not-so-great edit that I let go because deadline was looming, but I fixed it for a reprinting.
My partner reached out to an old professor to thank them for the influence they had on his life. It meant a lot to them to know they made a difference to someone. I'd say go for it!
I'm retired nursing faculty. A student texted six months after graduating. She shared that one ofmy lectures enabled her to recognize a potentially fatal complication in a patient so she could arrange for appropriate treatment. I was walking on air for a few days. Do it!
My mom recently connected with my 4th grade teacher who encouraged my writing to tell him I was going to be a published author. Teachers love hearing this kind of thing! He wrote back to say hearing this was one of the reasons the job is worthwhile.
I see you already sent it but I just saw the post. Absolutely send. If they’re in it even partially because they enjoy teaching and helping young minds, they will be ecstatic.
I would not. I've attempted to contact teachers from the past, and without fail I've found they have no interest in their past students. But perhaps you are different.
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They will probably be over the moon about it
Do it NOW!!!!! :-)
And Congrats to you!!!
Harlan Ellison did the opposite. A professor insulted his writing ability, so Ellison sent him copies of every work he published for decades.
So know that editing never needs to end 💀 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ncpaJFG5ONk
Good stuff is important to share
My only reason to write to any past teachers, is to royally chew them out
Reward the good folks and don't internalize the twats
It might just make their day