9/15/25

Bandwidth has only so much width…

Earlier this year I mentioned working on two big nonfiction projects at the same time. 

At the time I thought the projects being very different would be helpful in not getting mired in them. Well, it turns out projects of the size and scope they are can only be done one at a time for me, at least as long as I have to hold down a non-writing job. 

The story I chose to continue working on is much more personal to me and I am excited to be more focused on it. 

To avoid the mire I was previously concerned about I will be pitching other publications while continuing to work on the poems and fiction and other nonfiction I’ve mentioned before.

I’ll be pitching mostly nonfiction to publications that are seeking stories about anything I have strong thoughts and/or experiences with, or at least curiosities about. Or, stories that would suit the publication.

I may pitch some fiction, but with anything I get published elsewhere, I must retain the rights to my work. Everywhere I’ve looked so far grants this with small and reasonable concessions like exclusivity windows.

I won’t write to a specific market or try to latch on anywhere just for the sake of being published and paid. To help me do that I’ve had to confront my imposter syndrome, mostly about how little I have published here and how that may appear to someone looking to hire me if my pitch warranted a peek here.

Despite my legitimate my concerns of exploitation and how to make things better for future creators, I’ve talked myself in and out of this for too long. I’m just going to jump in and ignore the overthinker. I can’t learn or make progress any other way.

It will be hard to send out pitches that most likely won’t get any responses, but they can still be learning experiences, so I will resolve to make sure they are.

Regarding my infrequent publishing here, I’ve concluded that prioritizing quality over quantity matters, and it will also matter to the right people to work with. 

Imposter syndrome also showed up last week when I went to an established writers group for my first time. I was on edge the whole day and everything felt off until I showed up there and was warmly greeted. 

I was happy to prove that inner asshole wrong again; it was a timely and lovely indicator that not only do I belong in creative spaces, I thrive in them. The conversations we had were enlightening and I can’t wait till next month’s group! Once home I felt lighter and got some inspired words down that I’m proud of. I need to do things like this more often.

Speaking of groups, this week is the monthly gathering for a book club that I joined last month. Though the book for August was bleak and not great for where I was in life, it fostered so much great discussion that made going to September’s group an easy choice.