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#WednesdayWisdom
"If there's a book you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it." — Toni Morrison
Morning Musings
We did it, Joe! We got a book deal. And I do not use the word "we" lightly. For those of you who've been here since the beginning, you know it's been quite the journey.
In the spring of 2015, I first had the idea to write a book. At the time, the working title was The Millennial Manual and it captured all of the career advice and lessons I'd learned to date. In the fall of 2017, I purchased Jen Sincero's nonfiction book proposal course as a birthday present to myself.
And then I procrastinated as perfectionists (and those of us grappling with chronic impostor syndrome are wont to do).
Nine months later, I finished the proposal and started querying (publishing speak for pitching my book idea) Trust Your Dopeness to literary agents in the summer of 2018 and I was swiftly met with rejections. I remember one agent to tell me to come back when I had 20,000 social media followers. I think at the time I had about 8,000 across all platforms and I immediately felt defeated.
Things were looking up in the fall of 2019 when I signed with an agent, but that joy was fleeting as we parted ways shortly thereafter. Fast forward to December 2019 and I'd signed with another agent, but after about a year it became evident that relationship wasn't working out either.
Crushed, I started to believe this book thing would never happen. Until Jessica Faust of BookEnds Literary Agency slid into my DMs the summer of 2020. I'd admired her work for sometime (and had even queried her early on), but it wasn't the right time.
Earlier this year, she took me on as a client and this spring, I got The Call. An editor at BenBella Books, an independent publishing house in Dallas, wanted to make an offer.
But, being the Type A Enneagram 3 superstitious Scorpio that I am, I didn't truly believe it until I saw my agent sent me the coveted Publishers Marketplace announcement a couple of weeks ago:
Y'all. Ya girl is about to be an actual factual published author (in like, Spring 2023, but still)!! I share all this to say the path has NOT been linear and it's been far from perfect. There have been plenty of ups and downs, but nevertheless I persisted. And you can, too.
Whatever it is you're working on, keep going. Yes, rejections will happen. That's par for the course. Yes, someone may have the same idea as you. That's going to happen, too. Keep going.
Because the world needs what you and only you have to offer. Keep. Going.
In the meantime, I'll be trying to write as many words as possible before Baby Payton makes their triumphant debut. Cheers!
Love,
L'Oreal
ICYMI
I'm not sure why all my stories seem to publish at the same time, but nevertheless here we are:
First up is a story I did for Women Unite! featuring Karyn Brianne Lee aka The Fab Giver in honor of Black Philanthropy Month. Read on to learn how you can become an everyday philanthropist.
Next up, I had the pleasure of interviewing a couple of faves (Aisha Beau and Jenay Ross) for my latest in Hunker featuring the items that actually brought people comfort during the pandemic. Warning: you will want Jenay's limited-edition mug.
And last, but not least, I talked to female engineers to learn more about what it takes to succeed in the industry in my latest article for The Muse.
Upcoming Events
Sept. 15: LT in the City Fall Book Club. For our next book club meeting we'll be reading Elayne Fluker's Get Over "I Got It" and we'll be joined by the author herself! Register today.
Links I Love
1. How You Play Spades Is How You Play Life. Okay, confession: I can't play Spades (please don't revoke my Black card), but I thoroughly enjoyed this interactive piece by Gabby Hickmon. (Pudding)
2. James Marsden Is One of the Best Actors of His Generation. Why Hasn’t Hollywood Noticed? In which Angelica Jade Bastién asks the question that needs answering. (Vulture)
3. One in a Million: An Elegy for Aaliyah. I KNOW I'm not the only one who tried to memorize the "Are You That Somebody?" choreo back in the day. (Harper's Bazaar)
My Latest Obsession
I'd been on the waitlist for Ashley C. Ford's memoir Somebody's Daughter so long that I forgot I'd put in a request at the local library. Thankfully, the audiobook was available for our 7-hour trip back to Ohio after our Maryland baby shower.
I love how Ford eloquently depicts the often-complicated relationship between Black mothers and daughters, as well as what it's like to grapple with family secrets in real time. 12/10 would recommend.
Now Hiring
Audience Engagement Editor for What to Expect
Gen Z Social Engagement Specialist for KQED
Books Editor for Buzzfeed
Senior Editor for Youth Communication New York
Fashion Writer for Bustle
Senior Communications Director for The National Domestic Workers Alliance
Social Media Associate for BYP100
Manager, Internal Communications for National Geographic
Thank You!
Thank you to Caitlin for buying this week's coffee!
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