Never Saw It Coming

The way time works in the writing world is wild. A huge novel revision might only take a matter of weeks while a seemingly tiny one for a short story can take months. A query may get responded to instantly or a submission can linger for over a year in the slush pile. You could pitch an idea for an anthology and a week later sign the book contract. 

That actually happened. 

I'm editing The Rockford Anthology for Belt Publishing’s city anthology series. I love editing, even more than writing. The opportunity to edit a book about my hometown is a literal dream. 

The press hopes to release the book in March 2026, which means I have six short months to get the full manuscript compiled, edited, and submitted. Other (read: smarter, more sane) people might’ve had the good sense to ask for more time. I mean, I only have six months to put together an entire book! 

Except the beauty of an anthology is I’m only writing the introduction. I’m not doing this work alone. 

I like doing things alone. Even prefer to. My fierce independence as much a weakness as a strength. I hate asking for help. Even accepting it. Actually it’s probably not a strength at all, but my Achilles’ heel. And it’d be the anthology’s downfall if I tried charging ahead on this project alone. 

If you have a connection to Rockford, Illinois, or know someone who does, please check out my call for submissions here!

I met a friend for coffee and word-vomited on her as I’m prone to do, sharing how my excitement for the project was dampened with feeling lost and overwhelmed. And being the smart, talented, and kind person she is, she put together a marketing plan and is keeping me on task. (Thanks, Mika! Shout out to Overly Caffeinated Content!) And I’ve got not one but two smart, talented friends who generously shared what they know about editing an anthology. (Thanks, Mandana! Thanks, Sara!) Plus, another smart, talented friend sent the first submission, which is great. (Thanks, Christopher!) And our local indie bookstore is supporting the project, letting me teach a community essay writing workshop. (Thanks, Dave and Kim at Maze Books!) I’m still a bit overwhelmed, but not so lost. Certainly not alone. 

And I suppose that’s the takeaway. It’s easy to feel like we are, like we have to do it all ourselves. We feel like we’re the only person unable to write these days, the only one struggling with finding time. The only one who can’t place a story, the only one whose agent can’t sell our novel. The only one without an agent. Whatever that thing is, our brain tries to say it’s just us. Then we log onto social media and see others’ publication news, their books getting this or that honor. Which makes us feel alone, so it’s harder to reach out, so we feel more alienated... A total vicious cycle. 

I’m not suggesting we need to do all the things with other writers. I’m someone who can’t write in a room with other people. And keeping my submissions largely private means I send work on its own timeline, when it feels ready. 

But I also doubt I’d keep going if it weren’t for my writing community. If I didn’t have people I could complain to about rejections or drafting. When things settle down I’m hoping Amy and I can host another group writing session like we did the first day of 5 Days of Beginnings— and maybe do something similar. (Perhaps 5 Days of Middles? 5 Days of Endings?) Something to bring a sense of community to this space. A reminder that none of us is alone. 

Reading Recommendations:

Online: 

I missed it when it came out, but the inimitable Sara Lippmann published a short story, “The Houseguest,” in Lilith, and wow. It’s one of those stories that sneaks up on you. The strong voice keeps you reading and then bam, that ending. Again, wow. 

Books:

Recently read: Ananda Lima’s Craft: Stories I Wrote for the Devil is a serious treat. I was recently on Chicago Writers Podcast sharing 2024 book recommendations and all three of us guests ranked this story collection one of our favorite reads of the year. It’s really that good. 

Next month I’ll be in a workshop with Dolen Perkins-Valdez, so I picked up her novel, Take My Hand, and goodness, I couldn’t put it down. Set in Montgomery, Alabama in 1973 and inspired by true events, it’s a chilling story about race, justice, and reproductive choice.

A couple people whose bookish opinions I trust recommended Rufi Thorpe’s Margo’s Got Money Troubles, and when a third did, I picked it up. A seriously delightful read.

Currently reading: Not much right now, unfortunately. Mostly random articles in preparation for sending out the press release about the anthology. And you know, how to put together one. 

Up next: I plan to immerse myself in essays for the coming month to prep to teach the form. First up is Sasha taqwšəblu LaPointe’s Thunder Song. 

Preorder alert: One of my favorite 2022 novels was John Elizabeth Stintzi’s My Volcano, and they have a short story collection, Bad Houses, forthcoming with Arsenal Pulp Press in September 2024 and available to preorder!

This song seemed like a fitting title, not just for the title itself, but the lyrics: I learned a lot about being a friend when I was alone.

(I also love the next few lines: I played with fire, I burned it all down/ I made more mistakes than you can count.)

Wishing you a beautiful week where you feel connected to something bigger. <3