Fall Book Proposal Generator, Defending the Em Dash, and a Cover Letter That Bites Back
And a handful of other bits.
Hello, you magnificent beasts of brilliance!
Greetings from the main stage! I’ve loved sharing my silly little bon mots and other writing on the Substack feed, but it’s definitely time for a proper check-in with some updates!
It’s been a busy summer since I published my interview with my beloved, the illustrious and wildly accomplished poet and TV writer Tommy Pico. I’ve been teaching, traveling, and juggling a few projects that have taken up most of my time and mental bandwidth. So, I wanted to share some of what I’ve been working on—plus some learning opportunities with yours truly.
First, I handed the mic to the em dash. You can read its response to the AI allegations in my latest for McSweeney’s here.
Listen here, my good bitch.
Writers have been using me long before the advent of AI. I am the punctuation equivalent of a cardigan—beloved by MFA grads, used by editors when it’s actually cold, and worn year-round by screenwriters. I am not new here. I am not novel. I’m the cigarette you keep saying you’ll quit.
LONG—LIVE—THE—EM—DASH!!!!!!!!!
Next, I wrote a cover letter that didn’t land me a job, but it did land in The New Yorker!
You’re looking for a “dynamic self-starter.” I am a deeply stationary person who applies to my work the same self-awareness I bring to therapy: just enough to fake momentum under observation. My résumé reflects a pattern of, let’s call it, erratic brilliance punctuated by long stretches of disillusionment, which I’ve cleverly framed as “consulting.” I once led a project to completion using only Slack emojis and a positive affirmation that I lifted from somebody’s tote bag.
Back on the job front—fall enrollment for my book proposal generator is now open!
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.
You can stay up-to-date by visiting my website, following me on Instagram, and subscribing to this newsletter! In the meantime, I’ll be back soon with a craft essay, a roundup of audiobooks I’ve been devouring, and more.
If you feel so inclined, you can become a paid subscriber to SOS here. Not only does this support a queer writer hoping to turn this Substack into a sustainable source of income, it also helps the artists and copywriters whose work makes this publication possible!
Thank you!
XO,
GM
You can follow my other unhinged missives by following me on Instagram or Bluesky. Peruse my website for more work and to get in touch!