February ERBs
A monthly roundup of everything I think you should know about (plus an announcement!)
I’m thrilled to be part of The HerStories Project March Incubator. I’m leading a 1-hour workshop on March 17: "The Power of Personal Narratives: Crafting Op-Eds That Spark Change,” focused on blending personal storytelling with persuasive writing.
The four-week incubator includes cowriting time, online lessons, and salons where participants have opportunities to share their work with one another. It’s exactly the kind of supportive, community-focused environment I value and I’m delighted to be a small part of it.
This is the first of several opportunities I’ll be offering in the coming months. I’d love to see you there!
The core of my writing life is community. My hope is that by being vocal about the work that influences me, I will do a small part to foster connection in the community that does so much to sustain me.
Eats
Cider-braised chicken four nights in a row because I ordered chicken thighs from Costco and forgot just how much meat that is.
Baguettes from my local French bakery. They’ve become a staple of my week, as is the walk Numa and I take to get them.
Reads
Bailey Gaylin Moore’s debut essay collection, Thank You For Staying With Me, is out in the world. It’s absolutely gorgous. I was fortunate to read an advance copy and write a review (coming soon!) Order your copy here!
My brilliant friend
is on Substack and her latest post is a bangerI’ve been starting my mornings with the 100 Days of Resistance Project, do recommend
Courtney Maum on Big 5 publishers for The Writer’s Chronicle (a masterclass in feature writing as well as voice)
I’m quoted in this excellent Poets & Writers piece about writer-led workshops and retreats
Elizabeth Grey’s open letter to a pregnant woman she saw at a diner
Edgar Gomez on teeth, an excerpt from their brilliant new memoir
Torrey Peters on foodstuff for Grub Street. I’d follow her anywhere.
Sy Safransky, founder of The Sun, wrote an essay that took my breath away
Scott Oake’s essay about his son’s addiction at The Walrus hit home, I had to read it in pieces
Buys
A longswording bag and socks for Jack. Very mom, very boring.
11 baguettes
Bonus: Watched & Went To
Watched:
Sing Sing! I was waiting for it to show at my local indie theater and it finally did and it was incredible. Coleman Domingo is one of my favorite actors, ever.
The Superbowl. 10/10, no notes.
Went to:
Music in the Shop with Katie Frank, Cecilia Ferneborg, and Dirty Dollhouse. Three brilliant women singer-songwriters playing live at the used book and record store across the street from my house? Sign me up!
Luna Luna at The Shed with Carolyn
A marathon reading of Audre Lorde’s The Cancer Journals
The Shit No One Tells You About Writing’s Deep Dive series. Career-altering.
Alliance for Childhood Cancer’s Action Days in D.C. Carolyn met with state reps to share her story and urge them to back legislation that will have a positive impact on families of kids with cancer. I’m so proud of her for getting out there and using her voice to champion something so meaningful.
I’ll be back later this week with an interview with my dear friend Andrew Hahn as part of my Instrument, Surface, Setting, Story series, as well as a breakdown of how my Narratively essay went from the seed of an idea to publication— including all the bumps I weathered along the way! Thanks, as always, for reading. It means the world.