This American Life is one of my favorite radio shows.
The danger with submitting an essay to them is that when they reject it, I may be too hurt to continue listening to their show. And that would be a shame, because I really like the show. Earlier this month, I sent them my story, The Solution to All My Problems.
I’m also looking at some other journals that don’t mind simultaneous submissions. For the next issue of Tin House, the theme is “Off the Grid.” They’re looking for nonfiction “by or about people or institutions that function (or don’t function) out of the bounds of “normal” society.”
This story sort of freaks me out. Now that I’ve sent it to my writing group, I feel compelled to keep sending it out until I find it a home. If I can’t find it a place on public radio or in a nice lit mag, I’ll send it to the Grapevine.
Present Tense 
Keeping my fingers crossed for you, Tim. I’ve never heard of the radio program. Does it have a national signal?
NPR? You bet. You can probalby look up your local station on the This American Life web site (http://www.thislife.org/), but I recommend the podcast. It’s free! And you can listen to it when you have the time.
Oh, NPR. Duh! I didn’t connect the name Ira . . .