I recently published my first edited book, Labor of Love: A Literary Mama Staff Anthology, with Small Harbor Publishing. It's an anthology of writing from Literary Mama staff over the past 20 years. It's a beautiful collection and I am proud of the writers and proud to share the book.
It seems a fitting moment, as I pondered sharing about the book here on the blog, to reflect on my life as a blogger, and acknowledge that it is time to officially end this blog.
I started blogging in about 2007, when my baby was learning to toddle, when I was learning how to be a mother and stepmother, when I was just starting to see my way as a writer. I needed it back then. I craved it. I had a variety of blog iterations--family, art, creativity, writing things I delved into. There's a freedom in blogging, a casualness, an easy familiarity that's lacking (for me anyway) in other kinds of writing. I loved blogging and the words came pouring out.
Over the years since then, some blogs ended, this one started up. I got the job at Literary Mama because of blogging, along with some paid work. I got many rejections for my literary submissions, I started to get a few acceptances. My writing changed, from stories for kids to haiku to nature writing to magazine articles to interviews to creative nonfiction. I worked hard for my MFA; I earned it. I turned to politics, activism, community engagement, adding to my already full plate of life and work. I tried to keep a blog going, I wanted to still want it. But I came to see that I didn't anymore.
Somewhere along the line I found myself writing other things, less daily things, more thoughtful things. I found myself wondering who wants to read my drivel? And even if they do, do I still want to write it? I found myself only coming back to this blog when I had writing announcements to make, which, happily, are coming more often. But the sporadic, every few months, random update posts aren't doing it for me. I'm thankful for the blogs, the blogging. It gave me a chance to stretch my wings and find myself. And even though a small voice wants to hold on, I know that it's time to close up shop.
With Labor of Love, my time at Literary Mama also comes to an end. Nearly 11 years of volunteering and giving my energy to other writers, and I am ready to move on to other things.
Setting some things aside will make space, even just the tiniest space, for new things and projects. I see that what was once so valuable is now ready to rest. I have more books coming and I have more projects underway. But things are also a little murky and unclear. Life is in transition, and I don't know what writing and creativity will come of it. I'll have to wait and see.
Until the new iterations come to light, I'm starting a nonfrequent email newsletter for book updates, nature notes, and keeping connected. Please join me and sign up HERE.
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Buy Labor of Love, and connect with all the beautiful stories within.
And be well, friends. May the literary goddesses shine upon you.
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