Every time I start one of these, I get curious about other writers’ method for starting out newsletters. I just kind of throw words at the digital page until I write something that doesn’t suck… so not much different than regular writing, right? Compelling hook!1
First and foremost, let’s talk solidarity with Palestine.
An update: South Africa’s trial against israel started today, and
South AfricaPalestinian groups in the united states will soon be charging biden as well. (Thank you Miles for the correction!)If you’re in the united states, continue calling your reps to demand a ceasefire. And let me remind my fellow usians, a ceasefire is the bare minimum. We should be demanding the total liberation of Palestine.
It can feel helpless living in a red state, but Texans have been showing up! 3000 Austinites held another SHUT IT DOWN rally at the capital last Saturday. On Monday, comrades in Dallas were arrested (and, thankfully, released) for protesting biden’s arrival to the city. It’s important to support those in our communities taking to the streets.
The USPCR is a great resource for getting started. Find out who in your community is organizing!
Keep boycotting Disney+, Starbucks, McDonalds, and other complicit companies, especially those that are specifically on the BDS site. BDS worked to help end apartheid in South Africa and it will work again.
Donate $5 and get a ton of free Palestine stickers here
This linktree has a lot of great resources and orgs doing the work
Opportunities y más:
- is creating Transas: Your Guide to a Very Trans AWP! If your AWP event features trans folks, fill out the form by 1/12 11:59pm CST
Printed Matter is seeking artists books, zines, etc on Decolonization, Resistance & Solidarity
just femme & dandy - queer fashion-related art & writing - closes 1/15.
Send me art/writing/pitches for the fat + furious column! This issue is gonna be GORGEOUS
Write Hard: Online Writing Workshops for LGBTIQA+ Community - facilitated by
- scholarship application closes 1/15All My Relations - open to racially and ethnically marginalized, gender variant, and disabled creatives only, on the theme of “Resistance” - closes 1/15
fifth wheel press’ GARLAND issue 1 - queer spirituality - closes 1/31
I’m guest editing issue 1 with C. M. Green & the theme is queer spirituality— we’re looking for writing of all genres in, around, pro, and anti religion. More details can be found here!
regular subs - closes 1/31
BIPOC/trans/disabled people in/from Canada 2/1-2/14
ANMLY - all genres - closes 2/1
Trans Play Anthology Volume II: Plays and Playwrights Submissions - will start reviewing submissions 2/1
The Gay & Lesbian Review’s Writer’s and Artist’s Grant - $7500 for graduate students across disciplines that make a contribution to LGBTQ+ scholarship or the arts - closes 2/2
Sundress Summer 2024 Residencies - fellowships available for Palestinian writers, Black writers, Indigenous writers, and writers of color - closes 2/15
Sundress Publications 2024 Prose Contest - closes 2/28
Grubstreet Novel Immersive for LGBTQ+ Writers - scholarships available - closes 3/262
Guernica Poetry Fellowship - for poets without published books or MFA - closes when spots are filled
$ (Poetry is Currency), who I’ve linked to in a previous newsletter, is now a paying market!3
From around the internet:
“Palestine Is a Story Away: A Tribute to Refaat Alareer” by Mosab Abu Toha in LA Review of Books
The incredible
’s first issue as managing editor of Focus, a Memphis-based LGBTQ magazine, is available online“How to Kill My Mothers” by Shelley Gaske in Ruby
Major 7th Magazine is such a cool concept! I’m loving “To the Moon & Back • Savage Garden” by Brittany Thomas, & “everything i wanted • Billie Eilish” by Sunshine Meyers
“Winterlight Ritual” by lae astra in Broadkill Review
“What Does It Mean to “Decolonize” Your Gender?” by Quispe López in them
Open Mouth Literary is hosting a workshop and reading with Czaerra Galicinao Ucol this Sunday
Upcoming trans/nonbinary books I’m excited about:
I finally finished reading the brilliant brilliant Manhunter— and thankfully Gretchen Felker-Martin’s next novel Cuckoo is out in June!
A Short History of Trans Misogyny by Jules Gill-Peterson - out 1/30
How to Live Free in a Dangerous World: A Decolonial Memoir by Shayla Lawson - out 2/6
SG updates:
My debut nonfiction chapbook GOOD GRIEF will be published by fifth wheel press in 2025!
An early version of the opening essay, “Crash & Burn,” can be found in (mac)ro(mic)
AWP!!!! Check out
’s last post for our events and table info. I’ll be reading on Thursday, and on Friday, I’ll be on a trans poetics panel with KB Brookins, K Iver, Kay Bancroft, and Evelyn Berry. I of course will link the Transas guide when it’s out!I am working on an essay about how 2023 was the year I watched too much media about shitty white people,4 and currently revising my first-ever short story!
I have an exciting author interview slated for trans poetica and I cannot wait for y’all to read it!
A note on substack:
For now, I am staying here with publications and people I love writing alongside, such as
, , , , , , and . I will, however, be turning off paid subscriptions as soon as this post goes out. Thank you for those who have supported me on here in the last few months! I suggest reading here to complain’s post about choosing to stay on this platform:That said, I’ve taken a major financial hit lately due to my various disabilities. If you enjoy the work I do here, tips are greatly appreciated! I have three pay-what-you-want zines available here (some paid orders will come with trans poetica stickers <3). I am available for editing, readings, workshops, and more through my site.
Whew! Thank you for reading this far down. Let 2024 be the end of colonial oppression everywhere
<3
at least one person (me) thinks I’m funny
a writer I very much admire highly recommends!!
down with capitalism, up with valuing art!
who else is watching the finale of The Curse tonight???
ty for including me! excited to c u at AWP!
hey thankyou for the shoutout! I always love this list of links and info. Thankyou for all the work that goes into it <3