Last week I came out of an appointment and found my bike had a flat tire. What should’ve been a forty-minute ride turned into a 2+ hour walk—or would’ve, had I not accepted a stranger’s offer to drive me to a bike shop. The nice stranger advised me to start carrying tools so I don’t find myself in the same situation. Great advice I didn’t follow, which meant two days later I once again found myself across town with another flat. (!!!)
I did what I always do when confronted with an obstacle—I pressed on. Nothing to do but start walking.
I was thrilled when a big publication accepted my pitch a few months ago. I worked incredibly hard on the piece and felt good about the draft I submitted. I was devastated when the editor said I’d need to scrap it and rewrite the entire thing. (!!!) Devastated, but determined—I did, certain I fixed the issues. But the editor *again* said it wasn’t where it needed to be. I could get one more chance, but they might have to kill the assignment. I didn’t sign a contract, so won’t receive compensation for the many hours I’ve put in. I felt completely deflated (not unlike my tire), but once again, rewrote the piece. I’m currently awaiting word on whether it’ll be accepted.
I was hoping I’d have an answer before publishing this newsletter. A happy ending: third time’s the charm! Try, try again! I was in the throes of despair, but I overcame! And so will you!
But I don’t know yet if it will be accepted. It might not be. I might need to take the piece elsewhere. Or maybe it won’t get published at all. It’s like the unexpected flat tires. The only thing we can do is forge ahead.
We’ll get there eventually. <3
Reading Recommendations
Online:
Shannon Sanders had a fantastic flash piece, “Padparadscha,” published in Wigleaf. And you can check out this episode of The Quitters Podcast where Shannon talks about things she quit to be able to focus on her family and her writing, which I found super inspiring and motivating.
I love how Anna Sims explored shame, periods, and Chloe Caldwell’s The Red Zone in "It's Time to Destigmatize Talking Openly About What's Going On Down There," published in Electric Lit.
Nels Highberg’s searing personal essay, “It’s More Than Just ‘Two Boys Kissing’,” published in Catapult, braids together fashion from the Met Gala, artwork by David Wojnarowicz, and how HIV overshadowed life as a gay man in the 1980s and early 1990s.
(Note: I met Anna and Nels in a pitching class I took with the brilliant Caroline Shannon Karasik. Guess what? She has an upcoming webinar on pitching for only $25.)
Books:
Recently read: Anna Dorn’s super fun forthcoming novel, Exalted
Currently (re)reading: stories from Lydia Conklin’s incredible debut collection, Rainbow Rainbow
Up next: I haven’t read much poetry lately and am looking forward to digging into Kaveh Akbar’s Pilgrim Bell
Hope you have a smooth month with no flat tires! <3