Author Archives: Margaret Jean Langstaff

About Margaret Jean Langstaff

A lifelong critical reader with literary tastes, a novelist, short story writer, essayist, book critic, and professional book editor for many years. A consultant to publishers and authors, providing manuscript critiques and a full range of editorial services. A friend and supporter of all other readers and writers. A collector of signed modern first editions. Animal lover and tree hugger. Follow me on Twitter @LangstaffEditor

Here’s Another Truthful Humdinger

Posted on September 30, 2018

The last words of John Keats’ “Ode to a Grecian Urn” that I clumsily alluded to but did not mention yesterday: When old age shall this generation waste,                 Thou shalt remain, in midst of other woe Than ours, a … Continue reading →

Posted in Literature | 2 Comments

“The World Is Too Much With Us” — William Wordsworth

Posted on September 28, 2018

The last several months have been a challenge to our abilities to verbalize and speak clearly and coherently. Many resorted to ineffectual ranting and raving. Some simply gagged and swallowed their tongues. I myself fell silent before the onslaught of … Continue reading →

Posted in Literature | 4 Comments

Einstein’s Desk and Mine: A Sort of Comparative Analysis

Posted on April 15, 2018

  Having been the butt of derision and mockery for too many years for my “messy” desk (and office), I believe I have at last  found an effective remedy for silencing my many sneering critics once and for all. This … Continue reading →

Posted in Albert Einstein, Literature, Space | Tagged | 38 Comments

Shameless Self-Promotion (wink)

Posted on November 26, 2017

  Get out the kleenex!

Posted in Christmas stories, fiction, Holidays, Literary Classics, Literature, Santa Claus | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

“Hunting the Deceitful Turkey” – Mark Twain

Posted on November 10, 2017

Originally posted on Margaret Langstaff:
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!! This is from a 1906 issue of Harpers magagine.  Twain’s dry wit and lame brained (fake) susceptibility to always be out witted by any animal that ever tread the earth (so sweet, amusing)…

Posted in Literature | 1 Comment

America Burning

Posted on November 9, 2017

  Okay, seriously. In the last several months, my life has been strangely on hold in a sort of suspended animation as I became progressively more obsessed with the news, especially national political news. My eyes have become stuck like … Continue reading →

Posted in America, Literature | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 19 Comments

A Bit of Advice

Posted on August 11, 2017

A friend of mine sent this to me recently.  I can’t imagine why.

Posted in book reviewing, Editing, Literature, writers, writing | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments