A beginner’s guide — I began a newsletter on Substack in April 2021, and then went “paid” with it June 1. My publication, the Unschool for Writers, has now averaged about $500/month income for me, and this is just the first — and growing — five months. Let’s start Q&A, and please ask any…

But could we do it? — More often than not, when one brings up the topic of equality and equity between women and men, the wage gap is cited. Then the talk is of the need for more women leaders. People who grasp that numbers and statistics don’t always tell actual stories — rarely, in fact…

Let’s resurrect the idea of tithe, and keep art in our lives — This past summer, this was the one way I heard live music: in the park, and on the beach, with a jazz standards group. Bring a blanket and bottle, enjoy the setting sun, the warmth on my back. Listening to tunes that have sustained for decades. The idea of tithing…

The devil’s in the details — Wondering if someone in your life is a narcissist? I am not a medical expert, but after some experience, here are… A few off-beat clues that may add up Professional/work life This one might be obvious, really. But it’s a good place to start… This person has chosen a career or major pastime that involves being seen and heard and…

Or maybe yourself. — Background I took piano lessons off and on from age six into my early twenties. And my late spouse taught guitar full-time for decades in the town we lived. He was also a regularly gigging musician. In summer, he taught “rock school” — week-long camps, in which he’d group young musicians…

When you’re shopping for an MFA — From an Insider I’ve taught in a program for fourteen years, and walked away only a year ago. I’ve sat through many faculty meetings, and seen the push and pull of program “growth.” I’ve seen students find joy and be dashed with disappointment. I’ve been part of a program that was a thriving…

My collected stories from a beloved publication — I started writing on Medium in the spring of 2020. In the fall, I published my first piece with the wonderful publication we all now mourn. This was a story I’d written for hopes with Modern Love. But was thrilled when PSILY accepted it. It’s about a time post-caregiving and…

A truth about generosity — Years ago, in my early twenties, I hit a desperate point: I had no money to pay for the rent for my small studio apartment, and I’d missed half the month before. …

A father’s love lives on — When I first read the phrase “anticipatory grief” in a book, my gut leapt in recognition. I was eight months into what would be almost a year of caregiving my spouse through a rapid form of ALS. Already I’d experienced the odd sternum-tightening of tears that needed to be let…