My March Updates Bring All the Readers to the Yard
Parodies aside, I wanted to use this Substack to update my readers on some (generally) very good news happening in my world.
My first peer-reviewed journal article was approved and slated for publication in the journal James Baldwin Review later this year. It is a reworked and expanded version of this piece that I got published at PopMatters last year. I am excited to see what happens.
I’ve also gotten a few Substack pieces recently posted on the Good Men Project website.
I also won multiple First Place awards in the Illinois Woman’s Press Association’s Professional Contest this year, including for Personal Opinion Columns for two Substack pieces (“I Never Liked the Rain Until I Walked through It with . . . Me?” and “I Can’t Help But Wonder Where I’m Bound”), Online Feature Articles (this piece on a classic Stevie Wonder album), Essay or Chapter in a multi-author book or anthology, and Headlines for several articles’ titles.
I also served as the same organization’s High School Communications Contest Chair. The IWPA got submissions from eight schools, and the results have been posted. I had a great experience networking for, coordinating, and directing the contest.
I’m also grieving. A friend of mine in Chicago passed away this past weekend. I look forward to celebrating his life this coming weekend with my community.
I’m working multiple jobs, mainly tutoring, but doing some other projects as well.
Recovery is going well. I have acquired over two years sober from something and two months away from something else.
The other night I went to one of my first concerts since the pandemic broke out. I usually avoid concerts due to social anxiety and sensory sensitivity, but when a friend invited me to see his band, I jumped at the chance to go to a show.
I am looking into radio gigs and will be excited to get back on the air as a DJ if it happens!
I am working on multiple upcoming writing and storytelling projects, including leading a workshop for a storytelling company in Chicago in May . . . more will be revealed!