Snow Day
A quick TOC of today’s Substack:
My 2024 Goal: Stability
tl;dr transformation is great; steady and stable is also great.Website update
tl;dr I’d love your thoughts
Substack themes for the next few months
tl;dr in a sea of conflicting advice, I’m going to try out both sides of some writerly and publishing issues
Now that all the hustle of holidays and New Years has passed, our first snow day here in Chicago seems like a good moment to return to this newsletter after a much-needed and much-enjoyed hiatus.
I was on a call last week, and the conversation turned to New Years goals. The word that came up again and again was “transformation.” Many of my fabulous colleagues spoke of the transformations ahead, transformational journeys, and economies, dynamic change…
I celebrate that for them.
But when it came to me, it felt so clear that transformation was not my pull. Every time someone said it, I thought: Please, no! How about a year of no radical transformation? How about a year of radical… stability?
That’s what I want!
I want a year of balance. Steadiness. Stability.
I’m up for carefully measuring my choices, channeling my inner wisdom, and staying calm when the boat rocks.
This is not a rejection of change, or joy, or excitement, or possibility. But my question is: how can we achieve change and transformation… by embracing stability?
I want to change the world.
I want your books to change the world.
And this year, I am ready for it to be a slow, steady, stable change. One that means everything and is worth every patient, balanced, cherished second.
That, I think, in today’s hustle, is a radical choice.
Let’s see how it goes.
What about you? What do you think of aspiring to a radical stability?
Checking In
In my bid to bring stability to my life, I want to bring it to your life, as well.
I want to ensure that I’m meeting you where you are, that I’m helping you solve the right problems, and supporting you as you bring your book to life in 2024.
In that spirit, I relaunched my website at the end of December with a focus on clarity of mission and timeliness of support.
After working with many of you over the past few years, I’ve tried to hone in on the best ways to support more amazing women nonfiction writers when you hit that moment of doubt, or question, or challenge as you write.
Feel free to take a look around. Let me know if you can’t find what you’re looking for, or if you hit any snags. Feedback is much appreciated.
What’s up next?
Looking ahead, I’m going to be offering a point/counterpoint series over the next few months, engaging with writing and publishing advice from both sides.
Should you read more? Or should you read less?
Believe it or not, I can make a great case for both when it comes to nonfiction writing.
Should you write every day? Should you 𝘯𝘰𝘵 write every day?
What about your search for an agent or publisher? Let me offer reasons you need one…
or don’t.
I think so often we look for advice, we look for one version of an answer, and then miss out on other ways of thinking about (and solving) the problem.
I want you to be empowered to write your book this year. I’m promising you stability, safety, and steadfast support.
When you have questions, ask.
When you need me, reach out.
And when your book is out there in the world, let me know. I can’t wait to read it!
