I published a book that i liked. I know that sounds kind of basic, but that's all I ever wanted to do, so it felt good. I'm so grateful to you for bringing writers together to look at things a little differently. (Good luck with those last 10k)
I published my debut memoir and I’m actually proud of every single word- I labored over each one. I love my book cover which I know is not to be taken for granted. I’m proud that every one of my book blurbs came from an author/artist I forged a meaningful connection with. Reader feedback has shown that my book is landing exactly as I’d hoped it would, making my f*cked up back worth it. I (finally) launched a Substack, and 2024 saw my New Yorker debut in Daily Shouts (a collab with Dana Jeri Maier who I met through Leigh). I’ve improved my public speaking skills by giving talks at cancer and literary events and my 2024 draws to a close with a shout in my favorite and most read newsletter of all time (your newsletter, Leigh). Oh and I finally met Brian
This year I was published in NYT tiny love stories, had an essay about why I don’t cook dinner for my family go mini-viral resulting in 2 paid appearances on the CBC, I started a Substack that 3 months in is about to hit my year 1 subscriber goal, and I escaped my family 4x to write for a weekend. The thing I am most proud of is that I did all this writing while caring for my dying mom, and sober.
I got a non-form rejection from the New Yorker. I know they don't publish unagented material, but I still thought it was cool that someone actually read my fiction.
Also--I started a Substack that averages like 50 readers so I'm psyched about that. Cheers.
Revising my novel with my agent and getting it out on submission felt like a huge accomplishment this year! I've loved learning from you and your Chat Room guests this year, Leigh. Thank you!
Leigh, wowza! What a year you've had. I'm coming back to this post to go down the rabbit hole of all you've published and done and had written about you, all the things!
My biggest accomplishment this year has been staying relatively sane (questionable at times) while pulling out all the stops to launch my debut memoir, The Full Catastrophe: All I Ever Wanted, Everything I Feared (Motina Books 2/18/25) into the world, while also becoming a founding editor of IN A FLASH, a Substack litmag focused on CNF of 500 words or less, and joining the Board of the Family Heart Foundation. A couple of recent pieces in Next Avenue and Hippocampus were the icing on the cake.
Thanks so much for encouraging us to share. I keep reminding myself this writing thing is not a competition (though it often feels that way). For me it's all about community, and I'm happy to be part of yours.
Congratulations on your memoir (great title)! And I'm glad to learn about the flash nonfic Substack. I'm pasting a link here in case there are flash writers in my comments: https://inaflashlitmag.substack.com/
Congrats on a very full year, Leigh! I published three books and a box set this year, but my highlight was having my first in-person book launch event. It was just really meaningful to get together in person with friends and readers and get to talk about a series I worked so hard to finish. Good luck finishing your draft!
I got an agent, did two rounds of edits and went on sub! Focusing on the positives and not the negatives (so far only delightful, encouraging rejections from editors)
I published my first ever short story, right here on Substack! Aaron Burch’s Short Story, Long has been an energizing project, and it was thrilling & validating to have my work appear there. It keeps finding readers, too—I heard from ppl who dug it all throughout the year. https://ashortstorylong.substack.com/p/the-good-news-caboose-by-adam-petty
That is a stellar list of accomplishments, congratulations!! And thanks for all you do for the writing community. The Chat Rooms this year have been so amazing and informative.
I completed the gauntlet of turning in my next book (phew!) but for me this was the year of trying new things: launching a Substack with my friends — and thank you for your kindness in sharing our story on your Substack! — and co-authoring a project. Collaboration was an unexpected joy of this year, and something I hope to bring to the next one.
I already have more poems in hardcopy print this year than all of last tear, started shopping my first collection to presses, and just started writing posts on Substack
my highlight breakthrough moment just occurred today discovering my second great grandmother Sarah McKellar(1820-1868) is related to me on both paternal/maternal sides of my family- through what seems like an out of wedlock child in the 19th century . All of which changes what I am writing about in my memoir.
It's been great to learn so much and finally get not only my Substack live (all thanks to you) but also see one of my favorite posts come to life: How I Finally Said No To Being A Fuckable Yes.
I joined your writing class in October and wrote for the first time in two years. Following you and all you do keeps me engaged in the community and writing.
I published a book that i liked. I know that sounds kind of basic, but that's all I ever wanted to do, so it felt good. I'm so grateful to you for bringing writers together to look at things a little differently. (Good luck with those last 10k)
basic?? living the dream!
The trick is to make the dream simple, i think
my dream is “finish draft”
I published my debut memoir and I’m actually proud of every single word- I labored over each one. I love my book cover which I know is not to be taken for granted. I’m proud that every one of my book blurbs came from an author/artist I forged a meaningful connection with. Reader feedback has shown that my book is landing exactly as I’d hoped it would, making my f*cked up back worth it. I (finally) launched a Substack, and 2024 saw my New Yorker debut in Daily Shouts (a collab with Dana Jeri Maier who I met through Leigh). I’ve improved my public speaking skills by giving talks at cancer and literary events and my 2024 draws to a close with a shout in my favorite and most read newsletter of all time (your newsletter, Leigh). Oh and I finally met Brian
you are the GOAT
STANDING OVATION
let's make it a sitting one, we are all very very tired
This year I was published in NYT tiny love stories, had an essay about why I don’t cook dinner for my family go mini-viral resulting in 2 paid appearances on the CBC, I started a Substack that 3 months in is about to hit my year 1 subscriber goal, and I escaped my family 4x to write for a weekend. The thing I am most proud of is that I did all this writing while caring for my dying mom, and sober.
I was actually thinking about your not cooking essay this morning as I carried my frozen prepared food items in from the car. You have done so much!
I love to see it.
Kathleen, WOW
Gila, before I wrote it out I was like, DID I DO ANYTHING THIS YEAR??? 🤔
I got a non-form rejection from the New Yorker. I know they don't publish unagented material, but I still thought it was cool that someone actually read my fiction.
Also--I started a Substack that averages like 50 readers so I'm psyched about that. Cheers.
Nice!
Revising my novel with my agent and getting it out on submission felt like a huge accomplishment this year! I've loved learning from you and your Chat Room guests this year, Leigh. Thank you!
That is major! Congrats!
Leigh, wowza! What a year you've had. I'm coming back to this post to go down the rabbit hole of all you've published and done and had written about you, all the things!
My biggest accomplishment this year has been staying relatively sane (questionable at times) while pulling out all the stops to launch my debut memoir, The Full Catastrophe: All I Ever Wanted, Everything I Feared (Motina Books 2/18/25) into the world, while also becoming a founding editor of IN A FLASH, a Substack litmag focused on CNF of 500 words or less, and joining the Board of the Family Heart Foundation. A couple of recent pieces in Next Avenue and Hippocampus were the icing on the cake.
Thanks so much for encouraging us to share. I keep reminding myself this writing thing is not a competition (though it often feels that way). For me it's all about community, and I'm happy to be part of yours.
Congratulations on your memoir (great title)! And I'm glad to learn about the flash nonfic Substack. I'm pasting a link here in case there are flash writers in my comments: https://inaflashlitmag.substack.com/
Thanks, Leigh! We all appreciate this so much as we work to build our subscriber (and submitter) list.
Congrats on a very full year, Leigh! I published three books and a box set this year, but my highlight was having my first in-person book launch event. It was just really meaningful to get together in person with friends and readers and get to talk about a series I worked so hard to finish. Good luck finishing your draft!
indie queens making the rest of us look like slackers 😂
I got an agent, did two rounds of edits and went on sub! Focusing on the positives and not the negatives (so far only delightful, encouraging rejections from editors)
that is awesome, congrats! glowing rejections, I know them well…
I sold my second novel and launched a substack, with essential help from you, Leigh! Many thanks for that and for your newsletter!
Go Karen go! Excited for your novel
I published my first ever short story, right here on Substack! Aaron Burch’s Short Story, Long has been an energizing project, and it was thrilling & validating to have my work appear there. It keeps finding readers, too—I heard from ppl who dug it all throughout the year. https://ashortstorylong.substack.com/p/the-good-news-caboose-by-adam-petty
That's awesome, I look forward to reading! I didn't know Aaron had started a new mag on Substack.
That is a stellar list of accomplishments, congratulations!! And thanks for all you do for the writing community. The Chat Rooms this year have been so amazing and informative.
I completed the gauntlet of turning in my next book (phew!) but for me this was the year of trying new things: launching a Substack with my friends — and thank you for your kindness in sharing our story on your Substack! — and co-authoring a project. Collaboration was an unexpected joy of this year, and something I hope to bring to the next one.
Here's to trying new things! And I'm up to season two of SATC... Miranda is dating Steve... but he couldn't afford the suit for the holiday party...
Just stopping by the comments to say congratulations on a spectacular year!
thanks Kathleen! ❤️
You go!
I already have more poems in hardcopy print this year than all of last tear, started shopping my first collection to presses, and just started writing posts on Substack
congratulations!
my highlight breakthrough moment just occurred today discovering my second great grandmother Sarah McKellar(1820-1868) is related to me on both paternal/maternal sides of my family- through what seems like an out of wedlock child in the 19th century . All of which changes what I am writing about in my memoir.
fascinating
Woww!!
Grateful to be one of your clients-
It's been great to learn so much and finally get not only my Substack live (all thanks to you) but also see one of my favorite posts come to life: How I Finally Said No To Being A Fuckable Yes.
🙏
I joined your writing class in October and wrote for the first time in two years. Following you and all you do keeps me engaged in the community and writing.
I’m so happy you are writing again! It was great to have you in my class