I published my micro-memoir 11/7/23 that I had been working on for about 22 years thanks to Meghan Daum recommending it to a small publisher, Kelson Books.
Even when you feel doomed it doesn’t necessarily mean that you are.
I am beyond grateful for M.D. and to Kelson Books.
Within 2 months, I got engaged, launched my first book, got married, launched my
NA drink, and completed a packed book tour. Now my body and mind and creativity are fucking exhausted and burned out. I tried way too hard this year. 2024 is about to be way more intentional.
I applied for and got a residency to create a solo show based on a draft of a book I wrote. I find applications really really hard and this was the first one I thought was articulate and good. I found making the show really hard and almost quit and then came up with something unusual and cool that I'm proud of and performed it well. While I'm definitely a person who needs to "do less", move slowly, and prioritize peace in order to get things done, I appreciate also looking at what I've committed to and brought into being.
But why do I feel like such a winner? Seriously, I've qualified as a THL since 1994 when my first (unpublished) novel was nominated for a Pushcart Press Editors' Book Award by Michael Pietsch, who was then Editor-in-Chief of Little, Brown. He'd almost acquired my novel which I'd submitted unsolicited, with no agent (though a recommendation from one). Since then, it's been 30 years of glorious rejections from high levels. But this year...three stories sold (including to the Evergreen Review, who have a storied history and will be forthcoming in 2024, plus one to a super young & cool mag in the Local Indie publishing scene of Los Angeles and now carried at Skylight Books, among other spots). And finally, my former agent, who slogged through many near-sales with a previous novel, now, after what she called "IMMENSE patience", she and her associate have asked for a quick revision (taking a break to write this) and so it all feels worth it, though, really, it's the work that makes it feel worth it, right? I'm grateful to my family for never rolling their eyes that "papa is writing", that a generation of high school students I've taughed and been principal to continue to check in and ask, when can we read your novel(s)? We show up and do the work, and every piece of rejection is part of the abundance. Onward!
In 2023 I finally convinced my parents that they were ready for retirement community living, and with help from others moved them in, emptied the house of their stuff, discovered mold in the basement and oversaw the related remediation and renovation, walked with them through my mom's hospitalization, hospice journey and passing, helped plan Mom's funeral and gave her eulogy, took my dad to the ER when he had his stroke ... and again when he had his TIA, cared for his very noisy cat while he recuperated, rushed my dog to the pet ER and numerous vet visits due to a mystery respiratory illness and all the while kept doing paperwork and seeking resources for my son who has special needs. Yes, I ended up quitting my part-time writing work (very thankful for my husband and his stable non-profit job), but this fall I realized, dang, I have stuff to say! So I'm substacking about life in the sandwich generation, and that is my therapy. Press on, Tryhard losers -- love this moniker! 2024, let's see whatcha got!
I got up the courage to email everyone in my address book and announce my Substack, which I had been keeping a secret - while desperately wanting to try hard to grow it 🙃
Dec 17, 2023·edited Dec 17, 2023Liked by Leigh Stein
After dreaming about it for decades, I finally wrote a book, which I hope to sell early next year. It's my heart and soul and I'm enormously proud that I actually did it!!! Worked my ass off and got it done. I also signed w/two amazing agents at Folio (kids books & adult books), and wrote a piece that I loved and tried to get into Modern Love and Washington Post but eventually got published on the Today Show website. The piece went viral reaching more people than I could have ever imagine.
I am totally in your tryhard losers club! After eight years of working on my memoir, I ditched the whole draft and am starting over. All I do is try, try, try…
I burst out laughing at the title!! 🤣 I know we’ve talked about it before, but somehow seeing the words in my Substack feed made me laugh. Now, Leigh... this year (say it with me!) WE’RE TRY HARD WINNERS, 2024! 🤪 🏆
I launched The Empress Age, a community/stack for midlife women who don't quite want to fade away into marginalized, crone-life just yet... Mostly because they still have things to *do* and so much to contribute beyond Om-ing the day away? (Unless, of course, that's your jam...I do my share of Yoga with Adriene.) We now have 32k followers, I landed a new agent, and The Empress Age Book proposal is finally out the door. We'll see.
I listened to David Bowie’s advice which I’ll abbreviate here: “Go a little bit out of your depth. When you don’t feel that your feet are quite touching the bottom, you’re just about in the right place do to something exciting.”
Book deal for my debut novel (thanks Shanna and Scott of High Frequency Press) and launched my Substack (thanks so much Leigh)
I'm so fortunate to have found the most excellent mentors
I launched my Substack with my first novel. I am happy and I’m grateful for all subscribers. I’m grateful for people who are ambitious. I’m finishing my second novel and feel as if I’m on my way. Thank you for this post. Love it.
I tried rewriting my children’s book in prose, because an esteemed agent said it would work better, I tried writing it shorter, longer, more ambiguous, more certain, and it still is making its home on my computer. I’m mainly an adult-creative-nonfiction writer, but this one kid’s book is just driving me to keep trying! So, in 2024, i’m going to seek out several more maybes and one yes! Thanks for your inspiration.
I've tried so hard. Can't even describe how hard except to say that my teenagers bully me about being such a tryhard. Keep on doing what you're doing, Leigh, because we need you!
I published my micro-memoir 11/7/23 that I had been working on for about 22 years thanks to Meghan Daum recommending it to a small publisher, Kelson Books.
Even when you feel doomed it doesn’t necessarily mean that you are.
I am beyond grateful for M.D. and to Kelson Books.
wow, what a journey!
Yes. An extraordinary journey!
Within 2 months, I got engaged, launched my first book, got married, launched my
NA drink, and completed a packed book tour. Now my body and mind and creativity are fucking exhausted and burned out. I tried way too hard this year. 2024 is about to be way more intentional.
I applied for and got a residency to create a solo show based on a draft of a book I wrote. I find applications really really hard and this was the first one I thought was articulate and good. I found making the show really hard and almost quit and then came up with something unusual and cool that I'm proud of and performed it well. While I'm definitely a person who needs to "do less", move slowly, and prioritize peace in order to get things done, I appreciate also looking at what I've committed to and brought into being.
But why do I feel like such a winner? Seriously, I've qualified as a THL since 1994 when my first (unpublished) novel was nominated for a Pushcart Press Editors' Book Award by Michael Pietsch, who was then Editor-in-Chief of Little, Brown. He'd almost acquired my novel which I'd submitted unsolicited, with no agent (though a recommendation from one). Since then, it's been 30 years of glorious rejections from high levels. But this year...three stories sold (including to the Evergreen Review, who have a storied history and will be forthcoming in 2024, plus one to a super young & cool mag in the Local Indie publishing scene of Los Angeles and now carried at Skylight Books, among other spots). And finally, my former agent, who slogged through many near-sales with a previous novel, now, after what she called "IMMENSE patience", she and her associate have asked for a quick revision (taking a break to write this) and so it all feels worth it, though, really, it's the work that makes it feel worth it, right? I'm grateful to my family for never rolling their eyes that "papa is writing", that a generation of high school students I've taughed and been principal to continue to check in and ask, when can we read your novel(s)? We show up and do the work, and every piece of rejection is part of the abundance. Onward!
I love “years of glorious rejections from
high levels” as a credential for membership in THL United
In 2023 I finally convinced my parents that they were ready for retirement community living, and with help from others moved them in, emptied the house of their stuff, discovered mold in the basement and oversaw the related remediation and renovation, walked with them through my mom's hospitalization, hospice journey and passing, helped plan Mom's funeral and gave her eulogy, took my dad to the ER when he had his stroke ... and again when he had his TIA, cared for his very noisy cat while he recuperated, rushed my dog to the pet ER and numerous vet visits due to a mystery respiratory illness and all the while kept doing paperwork and seeking resources for my son who has special needs. Yes, I ended up quitting my part-time writing work (very thankful for my husband and his stable non-profit job), but this fall I realized, dang, I have stuff to say! So I'm substacking about life in the sandwich generation, and that is my therapy. Press on, Tryhard losers -- love this moniker! 2024, let's see whatcha got!
I got up the courage to email everyone in my address book and announce my Substack, which I had been keeping a secret - while desperately wanting to try hard to grow it 🙃
yesssss
After dreaming about it for decades, I finally wrote a book, which I hope to sell early next year. It's my heart and soul and I'm enormously proud that I actually did it!!! Worked my ass off and got it done. I also signed w/two amazing agents at Folio (kids books & adult books), and wrote a piece that I loved and tried to get into Modern Love and Washington Post but eventually got published on the Today Show website. The piece went viral reaching more people than I could have ever imagine.
kudos Rebecca!
I am totally in your tryhard losers club! After eight years of working on my memoir, I ditched the whole draft and am starting over. All I do is try, try, try…
go Patricia!! 💪
I burst out laughing at the title!! 🤣 I know we’ve talked about it before, but somehow seeing the words in my Substack feed made me laugh. Now, Leigh... this year (say it with me!) WE’RE TRY HARD WINNERS, 2024! 🤪 🏆
I self-pubished my novel, which I had been working on for six years.
I launched The Empress Age, a community/stack for midlife women who don't quite want to fade away into marginalized, crone-life just yet... Mostly because they still have things to *do* and so much to contribute beyond Om-ing the day away? (Unless, of course, that's your jam...I do my share of Yoga with Adriene.) We now have 32k followers, I landed a new agent, and The Empress Age Book proposal is finally out the door. We'll see.
this is extremely cool—I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you!
I listened to David Bowie’s advice which I’ll abbreviate here: “Go a little bit out of your depth. When you don’t feel that your feet are quite touching the bottom, you’re just about in the right place do to something exciting.”
Book deal for my debut novel (thanks Shanna and Scott of High Frequency Press) and launched my Substack (thanks so much Leigh)
I'm so fortunate to have found the most excellent mentors
love that Bowie quote! it’s true that when I’m a little scared of an idea, it’s a signal I should go for it
I launched my Substack with my first novel. I am happy and I’m grateful for all subscribers. I’m grateful for people who are ambitious. I’m finishing my second novel and feel as if I’m on my way. Thank you for this post. Love it.
I tried rewriting my children’s book in prose, because an esteemed agent said it would work better, I tried writing it shorter, longer, more ambiguous, more certain, and it still is making its home on my computer. I’m mainly an adult-creative-nonfiction writer, but this one kid’s book is just driving me to keep trying! So, in 2024, i’m going to seek out several more maybes and one yes! Thanks for your inspiration.
I've tried so hard. Can't even describe how hard except to say that my teenagers bully me about being such a tryhard. Keep on doing what you're doing, Leigh, because we need you!
everything I do, I do it for you
Leigh! Thank you! Tryhard Losers UNITE!
ready for the Broadway musical adaptation