🧶 lisa writes stuff issue 📸 #48 Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire
Also, this week: rejections, mental illness diversity, and new author photo
Hey internet!
My plans to stagger newsletters across the Lisa empire is…not working out well. Instead of beating myself up, I just accept it and move on. There is always next week! A big part of why best laid plans did not come to fruition is I started working at Library B last week. While my hours are set, thank goodness, I’m still finding my feet. I’m hoping in time, things will start to pace themselves out.
RWA/NYC Contest Update
I submitted the first chapter of a book I’m working on back in August (or somewhere around there), to the RWA/NYC chapter’s contest. The entry price for a non-chapter member was $40 for the entry fee but the prize was only $100 or $200. I was a bit miffed that the prize was so low. What the hell are they spending the money on?
Then I forgot I entered.
Something was racking my brain about the entry fee and the contest, so I did a little digging and found the contest site. They announced the finalists at the end of October, but did they send out any notifications? Of course not. It would have been nice.
But yep, I am not a finalist.
Mental Health Diversity in Books
Way back yonder, I entered the first 20K words to Harlequin’s contest on diversity in romance. I had no idea on what to think on making it to the semi-finals. Of course, I hoped but I would be just as proud because I at least entered the contest.
My story did not place, which was fine, but when I looked at the semi-finalists, the diversity centered on BIPOC, queer, and those with physical disabilities. Do these groups need representation in the book world? Oh, fuck yes, but at the same time, I’m tired of being left out in the world of diversity titles. Are there fictional books on mental health? Yes, because I’ve read them but finding them is a bitch. And also? Bipolar is rarely represented. I hate being left out in the conversation.
I made the complaint on a writer’s mailing list I’m on and someone said hey, why not approach the national organization on starting a chapter for physical and mental disabilities. I emailed the national org, and I never heard back. The national org has been in a rough spot for the last few years, and I’ve heard that their office is amazingly understaffed. If you submit through their contact form, you’ll get a response. (Which I have not.)
Would I join such a chapter? Oh, totally for sure. Do I want to start the chapter? Oh, god no. In grad school, several of us started a chapter for the Progressive Librarians Guild and that was a lot of work. I was nominated as V.P. which worked for me because I didn’t want to have all the responsibilities but I could still be boss lady. As much as I love the idea of supporting a chapter for those with physical or mental disabilities, I just do not have the wherewithal to kick it off.
(I recently submitted a request to our local Pride group to volunteer for upcoming events and with the org so I don’t really need more things on my plate!)
My heroines are either over 40, or fat, or have a mental disability. Sometimes all three! I want my characters to not only be loveable and desirable, but human. Relatable.
23% of Americans have a mental illness. We just need more representation in fiction!
Rejections
The two flash stories I had out on submission were rejected. This is life.
New Author Photos
Behold!
The session was done last week by Kim Kroupa Photography . Kim and I worked out a deal and after a month of trying to get together, it finally happened! Now I go update everything that needs a picture.
Hah! This may be pushed out to my 53rd birthday. Who knew that writing 52 word flash pieces would be so difficult!
Recently published
“My Pros and Cons of Group Therapy” / International Bipolar Foundation / October 2024
What Ms. Scarlet wrote about recently
She’s working on it.
Submission update
80 submissions, including 71 rejections, 8 acceptances, 1 withdrawal, and 0 outstanding.
Publication
Essays/reviews/poetry/prose: Lisa Writes Stuff
Anthology: anodyne magazine vol. 1 (“you self-medicate with cookies”)
Anthology: Love on the Lakefront: Romantic Tales from the Great Lakes (“Love in the Time of Cherry Season”)
lisa x
"I didn’t want to have all the responsibilities but I could still be boss lady."
I just said this to my therapist. I like being involved and while I don't want to lead things I want to have a say. I know eventually they are going to want me to step up to be the president of the union and I will do that because I believe in our union, but really, I just want a seat on the board.