Contemplating My Year So Far and Hoping To Meet My AWP Goal

So , this morning I was thinking about how crazy my year has been.

There were a lot of ups: acceptances from hard to get into lit mags, my collection winning a prize and going to be published next fall, all the amazing people helping me reach my AWP goal, going to motorcycle school and buying my first motorcycle, and those were just the highlights.

There were a lot of downs, too: my friends, who had been living in Japan as long as we have, moved back to the US, I haven’t been taking care of myself like I should (and perimenopause), I have had a lot of fear and anxiety, the election (making my plans for the future mercurial)…

All I can say is that this year has been so hard and long but also amazing and holy shit this is happening - and it’s been a lot… but I am here and I am trying to stay positive and do the things I can do and fight my fear and anxiety with experience and joy.

Finally, I want to say that I am beyond grateful to everyone who has joined my workshops and my wine and words meetups, asked me for flash feedback and for postcards - you all have helped me get closer to my goal.

I want to have full transparency here…

I originally had my goal at $4500 but shifted it to $6000 because California, especially LA, is extremely expensive, and I would like to eat (I plan to get groceries to help with lunches and snacks) and join off-sites and you all know that wherever we go that’s not a bookstore or a library are going to have minimum drinks at like $15 (for non-booze I assume).

I also would like everyone to know that a majority of my fundraiser has been funded from my publications, prize money, grants and sponsorships. All of these things have gotten me close to 90% which I think is amazing.

I’m not asking for straight up donations. I would like to work for the rest of my goal… so if you want flash feedback, let me know. If you want to hang out at a wine and words, let me know. If you want a postcard, let me know. If not, it’s all good.

This year has been weird and the world seems like a crazy place but, you my writing community, make it worth it. Sending light, love and creativity to you all. I am so very grateful for you.