Honored to be included here, and to be part of your world, Cassie. And here is some news I haven't been able to share with you yet — that wasp essay for Orion is a Notable in this year's Best American Science and Nature Writing. We did it, thanks to you.
My friend Neema Avashia, author of Another Appalachia, forwarded me your email. I'm so grateful that you've noticed my work and how much effort I put into my essays. Funny thing is, I started writing and publishing essays years before I ever decided to write a book. Yes, I'm totally an obsessive (lol) but I'm also deeply passionate about many topics, including exploring my complex identity and heritage. And I've been rejected (literally) hundreds of times, but I just keep going. As I've evolved as a writer, I'm conscious of that fact that any reader of one of my essays might find my books interesting too. It's also about that hustle and passion :)
Anyway, feel free to reach out if you'd ever like to chat further - rajtawney@gmail.com. Keep up the great work with your Substack. Looks like you're helping a lot of people!
Oh my gosh, Raj, hi! It’s so lovely to see you here. When the fall rush calms down I’m going to send you a note! And for the record, your obsession is a gift to us readers! 🎉🎉
Extremely helpful! Loved hearing from Lilly on this, your thoughts, and also that incredible paragraph of links. I am trying to think about this holistically and also in a kind of chicken v egg way. Does publishing related work help you get a book deal (yes) and also, can writing/promoting a book prompt you to write an publish more related work? (Also yes) It's a beautiful loop and kind of fun to frame this in the opposite direction. Having a book on deck in any stage (creating, submitting, promoting) can open up a whole career beyond that project. And possibly punt to the next project and on an on....one of Lilly's excellent points. I have definitely found that writing begets more writing :)
<3 The loop! It's so hard to stay on the race track without the stewing periods (maybe we can call those pit stops), but it really is so helpful to all creative pursuits!
Honored to be included here, and to be part of your world, Cassie. And here is some news I haven't been able to share with you yet — that wasp essay for Orion is a Notable in this year's Best American Science and Nature Writing. We did it, thanks to you.
OH MY GOSH, BETH!!! YAY! That's such a good essay and totally deserves a spot there. So proud of you! <3
Hi Cassie,
My friend Neema Avashia, author of Another Appalachia, forwarded me your email. I'm so grateful that you've noticed my work and how much effort I put into my essays. Funny thing is, I started writing and publishing essays years before I ever decided to write a book. Yes, I'm totally an obsessive (lol) but I'm also deeply passionate about many topics, including exploring my complex identity and heritage. And I've been rejected (literally) hundreds of times, but I just keep going. As I've evolved as a writer, I'm conscious of that fact that any reader of one of my essays might find my books interesting too. It's also about that hustle and passion :)
Anyway, feel free to reach out if you'd ever like to chat further - rajtawney@gmail.com. Keep up the great work with your Substack. Looks like you're helping a lot of people!
Best,
Raj
Oh my gosh, Raj, hi! It’s so lovely to see you here. When the fall rush calms down I’m going to send you a note! And for the record, your obsession is a gift to us readers! 🎉🎉
Brilliant.
Appreciate you!
Not me taking literal notes and bookmarking every single link here. 🙏
❤️❤️❤️ I better see some essays alongside Doll Parts, Penny 😂💌
I am actively brainstorming!
Extremely helpful! Loved hearing from Lilly on this, your thoughts, and also that incredible paragraph of links. I am trying to think about this holistically and also in a kind of chicken v egg way. Does publishing related work help you get a book deal (yes) and also, can writing/promoting a book prompt you to write an publish more related work? (Also yes) It's a beautiful loop and kind of fun to frame this in the opposite direction. Having a book on deck in any stage (creating, submitting, promoting) can open up a whole career beyond that project. And possibly punt to the next project and on an on....one of Lilly's excellent points. I have definitely found that writing begets more writing :)
<3 The loop! It's so hard to stay on the race track without the stewing periods (maybe we can call those pit stops), but it really is so helpful to all creative pursuits!