Issue 11: Small Successes
Small Successes
Hi everyone, and welcome back to my catchall. This full-time freelance life is definitely harder than I thought (I'm sure that's been said before), but there are small things coming to fruition that I would like to share!
Getting my poetry published
I am happy to say that some of my poems have been accepted to two different publications. A poetry magazine called All Your Poems published two of my poems, "All the glories of summer" and "I am a magnifying glass" in their February issue. I also had a poem accepted to Anodyne Magazine for their next issue, so I will send that link out when the poem is published in the spring.
I have certainly had more rejections than I have had acceptances for publication since I began my foray into constant submissions in November 2023. These two publications, however small, feel big to me because they are the first time that any magazine is publishing my poetry in the world. It's easy to get discouraged when every week I get several form letters politely rejecting my work and encouraging me to try again. Seeing my work in All Your Poems and looking forward to seeing it in Anodyne Magazine has definitely encouraged me to keep trying, though!
Published on How-to Geek
I recently secured my first contract as a freelance writer with online magazine How-to Geek covering cutting edge technology. Though I have been reminded many times in recent weeks that I need to write less like I am speaking to a business associate and more like I am speaking to my friends and family, it's been a good journey so far. I did get my first piece published by How-to Geek called How to Get the Picture You Want from Bing Copilot AI Image Creator! I can't wait to share more bylines at this cool technology magazine as I continue to work for them.
What's going on with your printing journey?
As many of you already know, I would like to print my stories, poems, comics, and artwork locally at the print shop called Pickwick Independent Press here in Portland, Maine. I believe that by printing my own work here, I can create unique one-of-a-kind stories that include my artwork and help to perpetuate a more sustainable printing world by taking part in a local print studio.
I did get a chance to visit Pickwick and learn about becoming a member. My campaign to fund this journey, which will cost around $800 for the first six months, will begin on March 1 when I start at Pickwick. I was accepted to the press and look forward to sharing more about my printing journey on the risograph, with you.
Online Shop
I know, I know, but I can't stop making things! Especially now that I have the time to dedicate to putting more of my art and writing out into the world. So here you are, my all-ages shop that has paintings, zines, my poetry book, comics, and downloadable PDFs for planning. I have also recently begun to be able to print stickers at home that I can add to my shop! If there are any designs or art that you enjoy in particular, let me know and I can make it into a card or sticker.
I did my first commission this week for Valentine's Day and it was great fun. More to come as I continue to learn.
Something I love right now
Have any of you ever seen The Fury (1978)? It's a two-hour Kirk Douglas film about two telekinetic teenagers. It's an intense and violent film that I did not expect to find so riveting when I put it on. Maybe I should have guessed that something rated R in 1978 was going to be gory or frightening in some way, but of course my viewer discretion is usually "I'll try this!"
That being said, the acting was incredible, the execution of the story and the examination of the Trolley problem was also fascinating. Since I was a child and saw Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, I have always liked Kirk Douglas. He more than delivered in The Fury, I was with him from beginning to end. The scary parts of the story are definitely more sensational than we'd see in a modern thriller but in a way it really drew me into Gillian's traumatizing experiences as she realizes she's a telepath. As she feels overwhelmed, so does the viewer.
Maybe I'll write more about The Fury and how it impacted me in so many ways when I watched it. For now, if you don't mind some 1970's ketchup-blood gore and balloon-guts, definitely check it out on Max. It is worth every terrifying, weird, 70's moment.
My world
Times are tough right now, emotionally, mentally, financially, relationally, and socially. There isn't a lot to report other than I am keeping on with my work and doing the hard mental task of motivating myself every day when I wake up. I remind myself that my friends and family not only want me in this world but enjoy spending time with me. I remind myself that there are many other people like me in this world: that I am not the only depressed, divorced millennial in their 30's doing their best to pay the bills and still feel fulfilled as a person. Above all, I remind myself that even when it's really bad for me, I'm still here and my home isn't being bombed like the homes of the children in Gaza.
No matter where I am as a person, I will always keep writing. So I hang on to that, too. If you made it this far, then thank you for reading this extra stuff. Don't forget to drink your water and take your medication, two things I tell myself every day.
Much love,
Coco