Yes, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are a cult.
This week in culty and overthinky updates.
Weekly Q&A:
Q: How do you know what subjects to write about versus make a podcast about?
A: Choosing the right medium for a creative project is a deeply underrated piece of the process. When there are so many avenues for making things, I feel like it’s easy to get misdirected and convince yourself that you have a great idea for a book, when that idea is actually better suited to a shorter article, podcast, or even just a TikTok. Generally, I’d say that if I’m not certain of the shelf-life of a particular subject—as in, if it doesn’t seem evergreen—and if I’m not sure I want to commit to a bunch of serious reporting about it, then it might be a better fit for a podcast episode. The medium of podcasting doesn’t inherently demand the same level of rigor as a writing project, so if you’re curious about an idea, you can make a podcast episode about it in basically whatever tone and style you want.
Also, I’ve had the experience, where I wanted to write a freelance article about a subject, but I couldn’t get any bites from pitching it around, so I decided to make a podcast episode about it instead. That actually happened with the Imposter Syndrome episode of Magical Overthinkers. I’d been corresponding back and forth for a couple weeks with the The New York Times trying to pitch an opinion piece about it, but that never moved forward, so I just repurposed those ideas for the podcast. That episode ended up really taking off and capturing a bunch of new listeners, so turns out that was a better medium for the idea anyway! Then sometimes I’ll become really curious about an idea because I just glazed over it on a podcast episode, and that idea will end up informing a piece of writing later. It’s all one big experiment. But it’s nice to operate in multiple mediums so you’re not so limited!
Finally, the Cult of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders episode of SLAC comes out tomorrow.
Ever since the America’s Sweethearts Netflix doc dropped, I’ve gotten about 200 requests a day to cover the DCC. So, Sounds Like A Cult’s coordinator Reese quickly hopped on the mic, and the episode comes out tomorrow! I edited it myself :) The episode’s vibe feels very Season 1 SLAC to me, so I hope you all enjoy it. We had a blast recording.
The Age of Magical Overthinking is being translated into several foreign languages!
Because my first two books were specifically about the English language, they were a bit tough to sell in terms of translation rights… but not this one! It’s been a dream to see foreign publishers express interested in The Age of Magical Overthinking. So far, I’ve sold the translation rights to the following foreign language-speaking countries: Germany, China, Brazil, South Korea, Poland, Hungary, Spain, Indonesia, Romania, Ukraine, and Italy. I might even get to do a book event in Italian while I’m in Bologna this fall!!! That very well might be my literary peek.
A weekly roundup of books, podcasts, TV shows, tchotchkes, and anything else I’m currently “cult following.”
Book: You Didn’t Hear This From Me
My buddy Kelsey McKinney, host of the Normal Gossip pod, is coming out with a book next February, and it’s available for preorder now! It’s about the history, cultural role, and personal significance of gossip, of course. I had the pleasure of reading an early copy and writing a blurb. Here’s what I said… and I meant it!
Come for Kelsey McKinney’s alluring voice, stay for her brilliant insights about words, secrets, gender, shame, pop culture, and technology. McKinney is not only our generation’s most beloved raconteuse, she is a rigorous and deeply thoughtful writer who can quote Emily Dickinson and Doja Cat on the same page and make a reader feel both delighted and challenged to come along for the ride. You Didn't Hear This From Me is cogent and sharp, and I will be whispering around town about it for a long time.
Podcast: The Stacks
Brilliant, incisive, and personable literary bestie Traci Thomas hosts the best book podcast out there, imho. Traci also puts on a recurring live show in LA called One For the Books, which is incredibly entertaining (she’s a former theatre kid). I’ve gotten to know her a bit and can attest she is as cool and smart IRL as she is wise and lovely on the pod. She also has a wonderful intersectional feminist bookstagram presence. Follow if you haven’t already!
Swimwear: Somerfield Swim
I posted a sort of Algorithm bait-y thirst trap on Instagram yesterday in an attempt to advertise my live shows in Minneapolis and Chicago this weekend (what authors have to do to get people to come to their book tour these days!), and I received a few inquiries about the bikini I was wearing lol. I feel like decent swimwear can cost up to $250 these days??? But this bikini (I got the Sorrento Bottom and Navaggio Top in Peony) was $94 total, which I feel like is much more justifiable. It seems well made, and I feel good in it (it’s a little bit high-waisted and there’s underwire), so worth it to me!
Decor: PSTR Studio
I’ve been on a decorating kit and decided I just wanted some new art prints to gussy up my dining area—nothing super pricy or complicated, just nice-looking pieces in a simple frame. This site has a mix of iconic painters like Klimt and Kandinsky (I’m not arty, for the record) and newer artists, whose prints come framed and ready to hang for a not-to-ridiculous price!