Greetings from the end of the world
Getting through it
Dearest readers,
Greetings from what occasionally feels like the end of the world — or is it just me? We’re living in perilous times for the future of democracy, and it can be hard to keeping living and working and acting as if all is normal when it so clearly isn’t. I wish I had advice for how to navigate these times, but the truth is, we must all figure out a way to keep our sanity, not lose hope, and protect our democracy however we can. For some of us that means donating to causes we support, while others will take to the streets and use their voices and bodies in protest. Some of us will change careers, or move abroad, or watch a lot of reality TV because it’s the only thing we can handle right now. (If the latter sounds like you, might I recommend second screening a donation or two at the same time?) Is there a right way to be, at a time like this? I can’t fault anyone for how they’re coping. What I can say is that I hope we can all agree that fighting for what’s right is worth it, no matter how tired, emotionally numb, or hopeless we may sometimes feel. There is hope on the other side. In that spirit, here’s this month’s newsletter — may it bring you inspiration, however you’re coping.
-Ximena
Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash
Ways to help
If you’re feeling overwhelmed right now, take a beat to put your oxygen mask on first — whatever that looks like for you. And then, when you’ve taken a breath, regathered your strength, stirred up your courage, you can take action.
Donate.
Sign petitions.
Protest.
Vote.
Run for office.
Talk about causes you support.
Volunteer.
Create.
Find your way to help.
✨Book update
- I’m working on two writing projects I’m really excited about — both novels! I’ve always loved fiction, so it’s a privilege and a delight to get to work on my own novels, especially at a time like this. I hope these books will someday make you laugh, give you chills, soothe you, and rejuvenate you. My goal is to write books that offer readers an escape, but that also give you a window into another world, and even help build some empathy. I can’t say share any more details beyond that, but you’ll be the first to know when I can.
A post shared by @wendymac
- I am delighted to share I’ve been awarded a Spruceton Inn Artist Residency this year! I’ll be working on my novel while I’m there. Stoked to be in such good company.
- In less fun news, I’m one of the 400k+ authors whose work was pirated by Anthropic, so I’m doing all the form-filling required to file a claim for inclusion in the settlement. This page from the Author’s Guild has good context for authors looking to figure out how to navigate this. If you haven’t picked up a copy of Listen Like You Mean It, now’s a great time to support original books and ideas, not the AI slop that Anthropic will be shilling after chewing up our books and spitting them out.
- Share
📚 What I’m reading
- The Bridgerton books (Trust me, I’m surprised, too.) I don’t read much historical fiction these days, and it’s my first real foray into historical fiction romance, but I figured with season 4 coming this winter, I may as well see what the original fuss was about. I was also very curious to compare the books to their TV adaptations. After picking up a few of the books at my local library and cruising through the series, I’m shocked at how much more interesting the TV adaptation is than the books. (Come at me, I know.) As everyone by now knows, the diversity of the cast is one innovation, but the success of Bridgerton as a series, to me, goes beyond that. The world built out on the show is much more complex, rich, and nuanced than what you find in the books; in particular, the side characters are more developed, with their own complicated subplots. (Not to mention making certain characters more outwardly feminist, which I love.) This isn’t a knock on Quinn, who penned the wildly successful novels the show is based off of — it is very much within the romance tradition to focus the story almost exclusively on the couple and their romantic journey. It is more to say how impressed I am, to tip my hat off to the show creator, Chris Van Dusen, who saw so much in the original material, and who has built such a big and fancy and fun and complicated and world each season based on source material that is much more limited in scope.
- It’s Banned Books Week in the U.S., a great time to fight censorship and buy banned books. This story from the Guardian about Palestinian children’s authors being censored broke my heart. That the very existence of a Palestinian author writing about their childhood could be called antisemitic or cause for banning or censorship is both absurd, upsetting, and sadly not surprising. Now is a great time to support Palestinian authors and others being unfairly censored. Bookshop.org is offering 20% off all banned books through 10/19.
💸 Currently coveting
- I am in search of a pair of wide wale corduroys to usher in the fall season — you know, the old school chunky kind? They are surprisingly hard to find!
💌 Thanks as always for reading along and supporting my work. If you like what you see, hit the heart button, drop a comment, or share this with someone you think will love it, too. You can order my new book or journal or book me for a speaking event here. 💌
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