Anna- thank you so much for your candor. It’s so easy to make assumptions about someone’s journey. I honestly just assume folks that are publishing as much as you are have had an easy trajectory, but the reality is the industry is a tough nut to crack! Glad you’re creating networking opportunities here:)
My dream journal since forever is The Fairy Tale Review. I’ve always felt like an outsider as a writer, even while getting my MFA, because the thing that really lights me up is writing re-imagined fairy tales. I love using universal stories that we all knew as kids and building upon them to add to the conversation in a surprising and sometimes creepy way. But people always thought I was just too weird. Some hear the words “fairy tale” and just get completely turned off. But then I found out about The Fairy Tale Review and devoured everything they published, and read everything by the editor Kate Bernheimer as well. Rejected. Every year. This time around it took the editors two years to send their rejection email my way. It hurts but actually it pushes me to create the best thing I can write and work towards a deadline in hopes that this is the year. Being a mom and with a full time job, I really need that incentive. This year, FTR’s theme is food, and I was just clobbered with inspiration so I hard I saw stars. So I foolishly think: this might just be my year…
Ahhh!!! I love this so much. Your persistence and passion are both so inspiring. I’m so happy that you’re continuing to pursue them — and I bet your rejected pieces could find great homes elsewhere, too.
I've often felt like an outsider - in my small, insular hometown, because my parents and grandparents and great-grandparents hadn't grown up there; in college, because I wasn't from one of the bigger cities or another state; in journalism, because I was a Christian and that was unusual.
Also, add an adjective to the description of your Joyland piece: weird, regional, literary, excellent.
I remember the Hobart fiasco (HAD took my Hobart piece) and your stunning Joyland piece. Just pre-ordered your book, too. Thanks as always for sharing your path to success.
Abby, I'm so grateful for your kindness and encouragement -- and thank you for preordering! It means so, so much. I loved your work for HAD (Salt, which is gorgeous, is the one you had to re-home, right?). I'm so glad good things happened for both of us after that fiasco!
So happy for you! I love how you keep finding/making opportunities for yourself. So well deserved! And your questions about looking for patterns in the archives are really smart! Thanks, Anna!
Anna, once again, thank you for this! First off, a big huge YES to your question. I have always felt on the outside, both in my life as a third culture kid and then as a mom of third culture kids living in many different places, and also so often in my writing for reasons very similar to yours! I agree with what you’re saying about Zoom gatherings being more popular since the pandemic and how helpful that is. But it’s still tough to manage with the time difference where I’m living. I can usually get a replay of course, but it’s not the same as being live and being able to ask questions. Also stateside editors are just getting to work right as my set aside work time is ending and the kids are getting home from school. Back-and-forth emails/ conversations/ Zooms (if they’re not in the middle of the night) happen in time I’d usually set aside for them. Anyway, I really appreciate you talking about how tough it is for moms to network!
I didn't even consider how Zoom can still function in a gatekeeping way (when considering time zones)! It's so helpful to hear about the barriers other people face because we are often blind to them when we just consider our own experiences. Thank you for sharing this, Joy, and for your kindness and encouragement -- I'm so grateful for you!
Thanks for sharing the distinction between commercial and literary essay-writing. It’s something I wrestle with.
I’ve felt ‘on the outside’ since I moved to the US from France (where I was a Lebanese immigrant) at the age of nine. It’s taken me a lifetime to realize there may be no ‘inside’.
Anna- thank you so much for your candor. It’s so easy to make assumptions about someone’s journey. I honestly just assume folks that are publishing as much as you are have had an easy trajectory, but the reality is the industry is a tough nut to crack! Glad you’re creating networking opportunities here:)
What we see on the internet is so deceptive, isn’t it? Thank you for reading and for your kind words!
My dream journal since forever is The Fairy Tale Review. I’ve always felt like an outsider as a writer, even while getting my MFA, because the thing that really lights me up is writing re-imagined fairy tales. I love using universal stories that we all knew as kids and building upon them to add to the conversation in a surprising and sometimes creepy way. But people always thought I was just too weird. Some hear the words “fairy tale” and just get completely turned off. But then I found out about The Fairy Tale Review and devoured everything they published, and read everything by the editor Kate Bernheimer as well. Rejected. Every year. This time around it took the editors two years to send their rejection email my way. It hurts but actually it pushes me to create the best thing I can write and work towards a deadline in hopes that this is the year. Being a mom and with a full time job, I really need that incentive. This year, FTR’s theme is food, and I was just clobbered with inspiration so I hard I saw stars. So I foolishly think: this might just be my year…
Ahhh!!! I love this so much. Your persistence and passion are both so inspiring. I’m so happy that you’re continuing to pursue them — and I bet your rejected pieces could find great homes elsewhere, too.
I've often felt like an outsider - in my small, insular hometown, because my parents and grandparents and great-grandparents hadn't grown up there; in college, because I wasn't from one of the bigger cities or another state; in journalism, because I was a Christian and that was unusual.
Also, add an adjective to the description of your Joyland piece: weird, regional, literary, excellent.
This is so kind-- that additional adjective, especially. Thank you for reading and for your encouragement!
And I relate to so many points here about being an outsider (geography, religion, etc.). Thank you for sharing all of these!
I remember the Hobart fiasco (HAD took my Hobart piece) and your stunning Joyland piece. Just pre-ordered your book, too. Thanks as always for sharing your path to success.
Abby, I'm so grateful for your kindness and encouragement -- and thank you for preordering! It means so, so much. I loved your work for HAD (Salt, which is gorgeous, is the one you had to re-home, right?). I'm so glad good things happened for both of us after that fiasco!
Yes, Salt! One of my favorite pieces of all time. Thank you for remembering that!
💪💪💪
Thanks, friend!
So happy for you! I love how you keep finding/making opportunities for yourself. So well deserved! And your questions about looking for patterns in the archives are really smart! Thanks, Anna!
Anna! I just read your piece. Gut wrenching. Thank you so much for writing this.
Ah! Thank you for reading, Heidi! This means so much, coming from you, especially.
Beautiful! I loved Finger Eleven as well :) No one worries like a mom worries.
I'm so grateful for your encouragement -- thank you!
Anna, I loved this post. It resonated on so many levels. And I look forward to reading your Joyland essay!
I appreciate this so much, Alyson -- thank you!
Anna, once again, thank you for this! First off, a big huge YES to your question. I have always felt on the outside, both in my life as a third culture kid and then as a mom of third culture kids living in many different places, and also so often in my writing for reasons very similar to yours! I agree with what you’re saying about Zoom gatherings being more popular since the pandemic and how helpful that is. But it’s still tough to manage with the time difference where I’m living. I can usually get a replay of course, but it’s not the same as being live and being able to ask questions. Also stateside editors are just getting to work right as my set aside work time is ending and the kids are getting home from school. Back-and-forth emails/ conversations/ Zooms (if they’re not in the middle of the night) happen in time I’d usually set aside for them. Anyway, I really appreciate you talking about how tough it is for moms to network!
I didn't even consider how Zoom can still function in a gatekeeping way (when considering time zones)! It's so helpful to hear about the barriers other people face because we are often blind to them when we just consider our own experiences. Thank you for sharing this, Joy, and for your kindness and encouragement -- I'm so grateful for you!
Thanks for sharing the distinction between commercial and literary essay-writing. It’s something I wrestle with.
I’ve felt ‘on the outside’ since I moved to the US from France (where I was a Lebanese immigrant) at the age of nine. It’s taken me a lifetime to realize there may be no ‘inside’.
Ahh -- I think you're right. "Inside" is an illusion. Thank you for sharing this with me, Joelle.
As always, fantastic advice from your hard earned experience.
I appreciate this so much, Amy -- thank you!