My friend, this was such a delight to read, I love how you're exploring connections with local folks. I don't prioritize that as much in my business and I bet it would feel wonderful to focus on IRL experiences for a bit.
I know this is...not local to you, but as I was reading your breakdown and how you're focusing on community, I was curious if you'd crossed paths with Sarah Gailey. They do a lot of really lovely writing about community and they take on big projects each year with multiple contributors. I think the 2025 project is pretty locked in (there's a nearly-funded Kickstarter for turning the contributions into digital and printed zines, which I'll be getting to design), but when they figure out their 2026 project and call for submissions, I would love to see you get in! A great place to start is with their Personal Canons Cookbook project from 2023: https://stone-soup.ghost.io/archive/tag/personalcanonscookbook/
Kate, thank you so much for reading and your lovely comment! Looks like Sarah is doing some amazing stuff. I look forward to exploring more. THANKYOU!!
Dear Bizzy, we spoke several years ago over Zoom (when we established that we went to the same summer camp in Maine!) and I just wanted to say that I so, so appreciated this post. I've been dealing with a lot of rejections recently, and reassessing what it is that I want out of my writing career. Reading this, I felt less alone. I love your emphasis on local and super excited about your New Yorker cartoon collab. Keep up the great stuff!
I love your focus on local. I feel like I had shifted focus too broadly for a while and I am feeling fatigued by a lot of the zoom/remote stuff, but always enjoy meeting up with local writers in real life and should do more of it.
YAY!! I love EVERYTHING about this and took notes, notes, notes. I think I am also cruising into some lane resembling doing things that spark me up; more collaborating; having way more fun; being a beginner and building new muscles. I'm so inspired by all you do. Yes to self-publishing your work: I am all in on that crowdfunding or whatever-funding. Also: have you looked at Amy Stewart's stuff (illustrator/artist), specifically her posts about making your own "artist in residency." Maybe a new thing for you! Thanks Bzzzzz!
My friend, this was such a delight to read, I love how you're exploring connections with local folks. I don't prioritize that as much in my business and I bet it would feel wonderful to focus on IRL experiences for a bit.
I know this is...not local to you, but as I was reading your breakdown and how you're focusing on community, I was curious if you'd crossed paths with Sarah Gailey. They do a lot of really lovely writing about community and they take on big projects each year with multiple contributors. I think the 2025 project is pretty locked in (there's a nearly-funded Kickstarter for turning the contributions into digital and printed zines, which I'll be getting to design), but when they figure out their 2026 project and call for submissions, I would love to see you get in! A great place to start is with their Personal Canons Cookbook project from 2023: https://stone-soup.ghost.io/archive/tag/personalcanonscookbook/
Kate, thank you so much for reading and your lovely comment! Looks like Sarah is doing some amazing stuff. I look forward to exploring more. THANKYOU!!
Dear Bizzy, we spoke several years ago over Zoom (when we established that we went to the same summer camp in Maine!) and I just wanted to say that I so, so appreciated this post. I've been dealing with a lot of rejections recently, and reassessing what it is that I want out of my writing career. Reading this, I felt less alone. I love your emphasis on local and super excited about your New Yorker cartoon collab. Keep up the great stuff!
-"Bizzie" Liz L.
Thanks Liz! You are not alone!!!!!! 🩷🩷
I love your focus on local. I feel like I had shifted focus too broadly for a while and I am feeling fatigued by a lot of the zoom/remote stuff, but always enjoy meeting up with local writers in real life and should do more of it.
Thanks for sharing that, Julie. The Zoom burnout is real!!!
Love everything about this!
thanks andrew!
YAY!! I love EVERYTHING about this and took notes, notes, notes. I think I am also cruising into some lane resembling doing things that spark me up; more collaborating; having way more fun; being a beginner and building new muscles. I'm so inspired by all you do. Yes to self-publishing your work: I am all in on that crowdfunding or whatever-funding. Also: have you looked at Amy Stewart's stuff (illustrator/artist), specifically her posts about making your own "artist in residency." Maybe a new thing for you! Thanks Bzzzzz!
https://substack.com/@amystewart/p-144415490
Yes Sheila yes!! Thank you for the recommendation!!!
Yay!! Get after it! :)
I love this and reading it reminds me that rewarding experiences are around every corner if I remember to give of myself.
a wonderful thought!