Launching a "Find Your Voice" writing course

Is this a silly idea, or would you be into it?

I appreciate y’all’s patience as my newsletter schedule has been on the haphazard side these past few months since the book and new podcast came out. I am doing my best to juggle it all! Here is this week’s Monday post, just a casual 72 hours late 🙏

Writing prompt:

A piece of writing advice I received at a conference early in my career prompted everyone in attendance to come up with the one thing we were singularly the expert in, more than anyone else on earth. This thing could be super niche and/or very personal, as specific as “I’m the world’s foremost expert in how to get grumpy orange rescue cats to swallow a pill,” or “I am THE expert in making ex-vangelical religious trauma-themed memes in a Wes Anderson aesthetic.” In this spirit, write down one or two highly specific things that you are absolutely THE expert in, and noodle on how that expertise could serve as the basis of a short story or article.

I’m thinking of putting together a “Find Your Voice” crash course.

Kind of related to today’s writing prompt, I am thinking of creating a little online crash course where I lay out all my best advice for finding your voice as a writer, pursuing bylines and book deals, overcoming creative hurdles, etc. Would you be interested in something like that?? Let me know in the comments below!

Magical Overthinkers is finding an audience. Thank you so much to all who’ve listened.

This might sound like bullshit, but I truly did not expect anyone to listen to this new show haha. I was like, surely everyone is sick of me and no one will relate to these thought spirals!!! That’s probably true for some people, but it’s been surprising and humbling to find that listeners are really embracing the show—after just 5 episodes, it’s landed in the Top 50 podcasts on both Apple and Spotify, and the download numbers are blowing my mind. Last weekend at the Big Magical Cult Show in Minneapolis and Chicago, audience members were saying the KINDEST things about the show. I didn’t even know how to respond. I just want to say thank you! Making this show has been a breath of fresh air. I went through a kind of grief process after turning in The Age of Magical Overthinking, because I wasn’t writing it anymore. Making this podcast helps me feel like these ideas are still alive.

Oprah’s book club recommended TAOMO???

oprahsbookclub

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Not expecting a full Elizabeth Gilbert moment to come from this, but it was SO cool to see Oprah’s Book Club post this on IG the other week. It even led to a pickup story on PureWow. Surreal to see these kinds of media moments happen in the book world, because when I was a beauty editor, I used to write up “news stories” based on celebrities’ Instagram posts all the time.

Come write and travel in Italy with me <3

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In less than a month, signups for my “write and travel with me” excursion in the Amalfi Coast close. But there are still a few spots left!!! This is such an unbelievably dreamy experience. It’s happening Oct 13-19 this year. More details and links are below! I’ve opened comments up to everyone on this post, so please feel free to ask ANY questions you might have about the trip!! If you’re interested in writing, making new friends as a grownup, and/or having adventures without having to do a lot of planning, I hope you consider coming along.

A weekly roundup of books, podcasts, TV shows, tchotchkes, and anything else I’m currently “cult following.”

Book: More, Please

If you enjoyed TAOMO, you MUST read this smart new essay collection byVogue writer Emma Specter about binge eating, mommy issues, body image and beauty standards, media, and more.

YouTube: Tasting History with Max Miller

I’ve been enjoying the escapism supplied by this nerdy YouTube series. In it, host Max Miller explores historical recipes, like the breakfast menu from the Titanic, explains their backstory, and prepares/tastes the dishes.

Beverage: Casamara Club Onda Amaro Liesure Sodas

Anyone else crave a “special drink” at around 4pm every day?? It’s too early for booze (and I often don’t want booze), but too late for coffee, so instead my partner Casey and I have been embracing these delicious amaro-flavored non-alcoholic sparkling drinks! They’re very much a “treat yourself” kind of indulgence.

Unnecessary Purchase: Overthinker Tour T-Shirt

I cannot overstate the coziness of these “overthinker” shirts from my book tour. Get one in a size up for maximum comf! You won’t regret it!!