Can a mom leave a tenure-track job to care for children, then, when her children are older and she is single again, get another tenure-track job? We'll see if this one can.

Now is the time that colleges and universities start the hiring process for next year. First, the job list comes out in October, interviews happen at the MLA conference in December, and then on-campus interviews take place between February-March. While there is much variation within that schedule (for example, a school finds out a faculty member will be leaving in the middle of the year), this is the way it generally goes.

The job list is out, and last night, I ran a search for assistant professor positions in 19th century American literature located on the East Coast. My now ex-husband recently moved from the San Francisco Bay area to Atlanta to be closer to our daughter, so I have promised to try to stay within the same time-zone, more or less. I know limiting myself by geography is not a good idea; I should be willing to go anywhere. But I am not. I am not willing to move more than a reasonable plane ride from family in North Carolina and now in Atlanta who can help me raise my child. No way. Not again. So, already, I am limiting my chances, I know. But that is a risk I have to take. But it seems not such a bad one. The search engine gives me back 16 good sounding job announcements.

I look at the 16 and think, this is manageble. With my 4/4 teaching load, the research projects, my child care duties, and my need to sleep, I can handle applying for 16 jobs. I've reworked my vitae, am waiting for updates on reference letters, and added a new writing sample to my dossier. I am ready. Or will soon be. Now, I need to start on the letters. I have templates, but each must be rewritten for the particular school and job. Better get to it.