Fall 2024 Upcoming Events and Learning Opportunities with Moi
The Book Proposal Generator returns, Empty Trash comes to Brooklyn, my Palm Springs debut, and more!
Hi!
Before we get into all the things, I just want to say that it’s good to be back. I ended up inadvertently taking a break from writing this newsletter over the summer, but we’re back to regularly scheduled programming, starting with this interview I did with my internet persona to celebrate my debut memoir turning four.
Between my 4,000 jobs (including my day job tutoring K-12 students in Los Angeles in writing and reading comprehension), frequent social and professional engagements because both are a part of my job as a writer (including running a reading series), and everything in between, I burned the fuck out in June. It took me more than two months to start feeling like a person again, and not a machine. Something that set my stress to a low boil was not sending out an SOS all summer because, while this newsletter operates on a pledge-based model—meaning paid subscribers are not spending their money in exchange for exclusive content—I still felt like I wasn’t delivering at the capacity I’m used to.
I love writing this newsletter, and I want to continue writing it, but because it is currently not a substantial source of income for me (right now the money I make from paid subscriptions goes right back into SOS by paying the magical illustrator and copyeditor with whom I work), I have decided to remove “bimonthly” from the publication description. At this time, I can’t commit to sending out two posts a month, but I promise to try!
If you feel so inclined, and are able to do so, you can pledge your support by becoming a paid subscriber here. If not, there are other ways to support us, like sharing this newsletter with a friend or a family member or a colleague who is mentally ill. Either way, I thank you for your continued love and support, truly.
Now for some upcoming events and appearances I’d love to see you at!
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So, you have an idea for a book. Maybe you even already wrote it! Either way, you are ready for the next step. Does the thought of writing a book proposal for your non-fiction project make you want to light no fewer than fourteen lavender-scented candles and lie in the dark for three days straight? You’re not alone! But after having written three book proposals, I promise you it’s not as daunting as it seems.
In order to demystify this seemingly overwhelming task, I’m thrilled to offer the Book Proposal Generator again! Beginning with an overview of the anatomy of the book proposal by looking at several different examples, this generator will be broken up into eight weekly sessions. Each week, we will be discussing and going over one element of the book proposal in detail. At the end of each session, students will be assigned to complete a draft of the section discussed, which is to be handed in the following Friday, no later than 8 p.m. Students will receive peer and instructor feedback in class the following day, after which the next section of the book proposal will be discussed and assigned to complete for the following week. By the final session, each student will have a complete book proposal, and will be ready to take the next step on the path to publication.
Click here to learn more and sign up.
As a reminder, I also offer one-on-one consultations and private mentorships through The Shipman Agency, all year round! Click here to learn more and sign up.
If you’re in New York City, join us at Sisters in Brooklyn for a reading where ten authors reach deep into the bowels of their “recently deleted” folders and share pieces that have been cut, unpublished, or otherwise killed.
Come help us kick off this year’s Brooklyn Book Festival and watch these next-level literary luminaries give their dead darlings a second life on Sunday, September 22nd at 7 p.m.:
⭐️Nina St. Pierre⭐️
⭐️Edgar Gomez⭐️
⭐️Lisa Ko⭐️
⭐️Joseph Osmundson⭐️
⭐️Temim Fruchter⭐️
⭐️Christina Cooke⭐️
⭐️Mateo Askaripour⭐️
Books will be sold by our friends over at Books Are Magic. If you plan on coming, please arrive early as we are expecting a large turn-out!
On Wednesday, September 25th at 5:30 p.m., I will be joined by my dear friends and literary power couple, Steven Rowley and Byron Lane, in Palm Springs at The Best Bookstore for a mirthful discussion, followed by a book signing.
I can’t think of a better way to mark my first trip to the gayest town in America. Come partake in some homosexual hijinks if you’re in town!
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I’ve also got some events coming up here in LA in October! Please save the date(s) for:
Thursday, October 10th at Night Gallery in Downtown LA (time TBA) – BOMB Magazine Fall Issue Party with Los Angeles Review of Books – additional details TBA
Thursday, October 24th at The Ruby Fruit in Silverlake at 7 p.m. – Empty Trash – line-up and additional details TBA
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I hope to see some of your gorgeous faces in the upcoming weeks, either in-person or online. If not, you can stay up-to-date by visiting my website, following me on Instagram, and/or subscribing to this newsletter!
XO,
GM
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