Me Time
TikTok Follows: My Strategy for Aging in Reverse
Thanks to all who responded to my frequency poll included in the last issue. More that 90% of you supported a more frequent newsletter coming to you twice a month. So this is the first of those. Oh, and for those of you who left such nice comments, much appreciated. I'm so glad you like the newsletter.
Are you nervous about the election? Maybe a bit freaked out? Or are you avoiding the subject altogether to preserve your sanity?
I keep thinking I need to stop reading the New York Times and its reports on polling. Instead, like my Gen Z counterparts, I've taken to TikTok (yes, you read that right). In addition to Denise the Heaven Receptionist (pictured here), some wonderful cats and dogs I follow (Milo the Chonk, Tater, King Clarence, and the K9 Konvoy), I also follow a few reliable political commentators (Coffee with LouLou, the Progressive Paramedic, the Political Fixer, and Millennial Mia) who are focusing on early voting data instead of polls and feeling pretty optimistic.
So don't forget to make your plan to vote and then go vote, especially those of you in the battleground states (you know who you are). We'll be voting early this coming weekend.
Sapphic Lit and Other Book Stuff
5 Plot Hacks That Just Might Save Your Novel | Jane Friedman
sometimes the problem with a novel really is what happens in the story, the order in which it happens, and the way that it happens.
And for real problems of this nature, there are real solutions. Solutions that I have seen writers apply in revision that produce changes that feel nothing short of magical.
Murky Middles Begone: Ensure the Middle of Your Book Stands Strong | Jane Friedman
Middles are especially hard because, even when you study structure, the beginning and endings are more regimented and obvious. Unfortunately, that can mean the larger—and just as important—middle is left sagging.
So what do you need to succeed?
Three Ways You’re Losing Your Reader’s Trust - WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®
Trust in the person who has crafted the story, but also trust in the viewpoint character. If we feel as though the character shares with us everything they know and allows us to be along for all critical moments of their story, we can feel as though we are that character.
The Book in Your Head vs. the Book You Write – Writer Unboxed
I re-read Jessica Brody’s Save the Cat! Writes a Novel, and I followed that 15-beat structure closely. It gave me guardrails, white lines at the side of the road. It kept me honest. And it enabled me to write a story that is both character-driven and plot-driven. It also gave me a much greater sense of control over my work, a sense that the vision I had was attainable, because I had a way to get there.
Best Scrivener Alternatives: Top 5 Writing Software Options for Authors | by Lenora D. Hughes | Medium
ranking these based on user interface, ease of use, and features
A Description Database for Character Relationships - WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®
The Relationship Thesaurus will help you brainstorm character interactions that feel true to life so you can write them into the story. You’ll also find plenty of ideas on how each relationship can develop your characters and further the plot.
Romance Authors Thrive in the Self-Publishing Era | Jane Friedman
Larson, a journalism professor at the University of Colorado, Boulder, spent nearly a decade examining how the unique aspects of Romancelandia led romance writers to thrive in the self-publishing era. A survey Larson conducted found the genre’s authors saw their median income surge 73% between 2009 and 2014, while the median income of all authors fell 42%. In the same period, the median income of romance authors of color increased 150%, compared to 63% for white writers.
The Official SCBWI Blog: BookBub Shares Ideas On How To Get More Book Reviews From Readers
I recently learned that if you don't have at least 20 consumer reviews of your book on Amazon, you won't be considered for a BookBub deal. (Even though BookBub is not owned by Amazon.) Suffice to say, the social vetting of consumer book reviews is really important.
Crowdfunding for Writers Who Need First-Time Guidance | Jane Friedman
The top five writers on Patreon make a minimum of $35,000 per month just off of their account, plus whatever they make from Amazon, speaking appearances, and similar adjunct earnings. The average Patreon account makes between $300 and $1,600 per month. That’s not quit your job money, but it is about twice what the average KDP author pulls in.
News You Can Use
Exploring LGBTQ+ visibility in the WNBA: Players, partners and Pride - News Is Out
In a study by Interbasket in 2022 of out players, the numbers calculated to 38% of the league. And while those numbers have fluctuated year to year, the 2024 season currently features 42 out players across 12 teams, with only the Chicago team lacking an out player.
Getting A Mammogram Saved My Life - GO Magazine
This is my friend Barbara Gaines whose Substack blog I highly recommend. I was thrilled to see that Go Magazine reprinted her piece about learning she has breast cancer. She's one of the smartest and funniest people I know. And Aari is a gem. From the piece: We decided we should make a list of questions before we went to meet the surgeons. Here was the list: Aari: “Should she get the Braca gene test?” Me: “Do you like lesbians?” Aari: “How much of the breast will you have to remove?” Me: “Do you like Jews?” Aari: “How long is the recovery time?” Me: “Will there be good pain meds?” “You know what,” Aari concluded, “I will ask the questions.”
From Joan of Arc to Lady Liberty, 7 Chappell Roan Looks Perfect for Halloween | Them
A drag-inspired pop star who can turn out looks without breaking the bank? That’s a queer Halloween icon in the making right there. From her Governor’s Ball Lady Liberty look to her mermaid-inspired “Casual” ensemble, here are seven Roan costume ideas that are hot to go.
Who was Julie d’Aubigny? The Bisexual Sword-Fighting Opera Singer Who May Have Inspired Chappell Roan | Them
Chappell Roan stunned audiences with her fiery performance at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), in which she literally lit a castle to cinder while battling an army of knights. Some of us proclaimed “Roan of Arc” at the sight of Roan in her medieval chainmail ensemble, but others had alternative theories for who the sapphic pop star was referencing during her VMA debut: namely Julie d'Aubigny, a 15th-century bisexual French opera singer and master sword fighter who set a convent on fire to free her girlfriend.
Mapping the Harlem Renaissance’s LGBTQ History - The New York Times
Gladys Bentley, who appeared regularly at the Clam House speakeasy, was Harlem royalty and the neighborhood’s most famous lesbian. She performed wearing white tuxedos, singing racy lyrics over popular music.
Bloodroot has put feminism and vegetables on the menu for 47 years - The Washington Post
Since 1978, diners have stepped over the threshold to find themselves enveloped by the inclusive yet pro-female culture created by the Bloodroot Collective, a group of feminist and lesbian activists from the Bridgeport community seeking to put women’s issues at the center of the plate.
30 awesome lesbian & sapphic-centered movies to stream - Queerty
this list of 30 must-watch lesbian and sapphic-centered films, according to queer movie buffs.
Queer Dating Tips and Tricks for Newly Out Bisexual Women | Them
“Once you expand your pool of possibilities, you may have to learn new buttons, cues, and triggers. And I can say with confidence that you’ll fall flat on your face at least once.”
5 Clap Backs for When Biphobia Rears Its Ugly Head - Tagg Magazine
Many bisexual or otherwise queer women in relationships with men or masc-presenting people experience some form of biphobia. Outsiders love to assume that picking a partner means chosen a side. They feel it validates that they were “right” about our sexuality all along. Whatever “right” is supposed to mean.
Girlfriends With Benefits Are Becoming More of a 'Thing'
For women of my generation, born between the mid-1920s and early 1940s, it is often a major life transition, such as divorce, widowhood or retirement, that prompts us to reevaluate our relationships and seek new connections. These transitions may lead us to explore same-sex relationships
The L Word: New York Season 1 Is Confirmed - GO Magazine
The L Word is making yet another comeback. According to ScreenRant, The L Word: New York Season 1 is actually happening.
LezVolley Grapples with Inclusivity Questions Following Transgender Participation Controversy
LezVolley is the annual women’s volleyball tournament held on the beach in the Fire Island hamlet of Cherry Grove. Founded in 2011 by two lesbian nightlife promoters, the event has grown tremendously over the past thirteen years. It draws hundreds, if not thousands, of people to Cherry Grove on the second Saturday in August each year, creating an unofficial party weekend that many people begin planning for nearly six months ahead because accommodations in Cherry Grove are so limited.
Men Still Have More Orgasms Than Women During Sex, a New Study Shows - The New York Times
Lesbian and bisexual women between ages 35 and 49 reported higher orgasm rates than their heterosexual counterparts.
Sphen, Penguin Whose Gay Love Story Earned Global Fame, Dies - The New York Times
For six years, Sphen and Magic were devoted partners, adoptive parents and queer icons. After Sphen died this month at age 11, Magic began singing.
Listen to this article · 3:09 min
This Portal Lets LGBTQ+ Kids Ask Questions of Queer and Trans Pro Athletes | Them
Q&Athlete initially launched last June, and features contributions from track athlete CeCé Telfer, middle-distance Olympian Nikki Hiltz, Olympic gold-winning soccer player Quinn, and more. Now, just in time for National Coming Out Day this Friday, Oct. 11, the Q&Athlete portal is open once again for questions.
Helpful Tools
All Online Tools in One Box | 10015 Tools
No need to bookmark the tools you like separately.
10015.io is a “free all-in-one toolbox” solution created to ease your life by preventing bookmark mess.
A Terrific Quote
Daily Inspiration | Inspiring Quotes
Anyone can be passionate, but it takes real lovers to be silly.