18 Comments
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Lacey N. Dunham's avatar

As someone who shudders at the word and idea of networking, I appreciate the reframing here to coven--your people, but also, your empowerment.

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Cassie Mannes Murray's avatar

A perfect way to say it, Lacey!

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Jeanna Kadlec's avatar

Literally just wrote about mine today, we just call ours a writers’ group (bc that’s what it is!).

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Cassie Mannes Murray's avatar

Literally heard from a poet today that their group chat is called "Poetry coven!" Which I LOVE! I also love that you have a writers' group!

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Kate Doyle's avatar

Love this Cassie!

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Cassie Mannes Murray's avatar

appreciate you!

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Deepa Paul's avatar

The idea of starting a literary coven is so much less depressing than the idea of figuring out how to afford cool parties and impressive swag. Thank you for shifting the focus!

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Cassie Mannes Murray's avatar

I couldn't tell you that swag works anyways, or cool parties (especially without a bookseller present who can make & process sales on your behalf). Both are fun, but haven't proven (in my experience) to be successful. So, friends instead!!! Thanks, Deepa!

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Mila Jaroniec's avatar

Cassie you're brilliant <3 <3

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Cassie Mannes Murray's avatar

😘😘😘

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Naomi Kanakia's avatar

The key though is you have to genuinely like each other and each others works! It's only here on substack that I have for the first time found writers with similar interests to mine. Otherwise it felt like everyone i met was just aspiring to be the same cookie cutter NYC literary writer

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Cassie Mannes Murray's avatar

Gotta find your people!

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Leah Nagely Robbins's avatar

As a Wayward Writer in Ariel Gore’s most awesome literary kitchen (coven) this idea resonates!

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Cassie Mannes Murray's avatar

Love this!

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Gabi Stephens's avatar

Obsessed w this and have been thinking around this topic A LOT. Especially re: hotness, commerce, etc. Do you mind if I reference this newsletter in my own???

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Cassie Mannes Murray's avatar

always, always, always! Love your newsletter!

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Gabi Stephens's avatar

You’re an angel and a scholar!! And such an expert sleuth omg.

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Cassie Mannes Murray's avatar

back at you!

And I know right (it's kind of scary, maybe we all open a little, very hot, PI agency)

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