Paradise & Imposter Syndrome + threads, AI, & brainstorming tools

I got into a workshop! Also, what is imposter syndrome + A.I. contract clauses; spec fic magazines; beat sheets; what/why Threads?; rabbit test; so much industry news; more AI; summer tea

Greetings readers & writers,

It’s wonderful to be back with you all after my little summer sabbatical. I’ve been so excited to share exciting news I received at the beginning of July. I’ve been accepted into this year’s Viable Paradise workshop cohort.

Viable Paradise is a one-week, science fiction and fantasy residential workshop held on Martha’s Vineyard every fall. It’s a big deal in the SFF writing community, a bigger deal than I realized when I applied with my weird little Peter Pan story about motherhood.

When I got accepted… well, I feel like I should tell you I cried with joy. That I hardly believed it, was sure there had been a mistake, wasn’t sure I deserved it. Like in a 90’s era rom-com, the writing world had finally removed my “ugly” glasses and discovered the beautiful creative girl beneath. I feel like I should tell you these things because that’s what a lot of the other writers experienced. It’s what I’ve experienced too —when writing centers first took a chance on my courses or when I started this newsletter and folks began to subscribe.

But this time, when I got the welcome email, I didn’t feel shock or surprise or that I was in too deep, that they’d discover me for a fraud. Instead, I felt excited. I felt ready.

I recognize the role my privilege plays in these feelings, that I can even imagine myself in these spaces and afford to participate. But I’ve repeatedly struggled with creative insecurity. Why didn’t I feel that way this time?

Reshma Saujani, the founder of Girls Who Code and the author of Brave, Not Perfect, gave a stunning commencement speech at Smith college this past spring in which she systematically breaks down the myths of imposter syndrome, especially for women. “It’s never really been about whether we’re qualified enough, or smart enough, or prepared enough,” she argues. “Instead it’s about the barriers that are designed to keep us out of those rooms in the first place.”

If you’re in the mindspace to do it, take a look around at what’s holding you back. My guess? It’s not you and your passion. What do you need that isn’t being provided or accessible? What space isn’t being made for you to be your fullest creative self?

“It’s never really been about whether we’re qualified enough, or smart enough, or prepared enough. Instead it’s about the barriers that are designed to keep us out of those rooms in the first place.” —Reshma Saujani

For me, I’ve needed to unlearn years of socialized habits that make me not trust my own worth. Because hey, I spent seven years working on my novel, damn it. I’ve spent four years building this newsletter. I’ve actively worked in the book world, in one form or another, for over fifteen years. Maybe I don’t feel like an imposter this time, because I’m not one and only now can I begin to recognize that. I’m right where I need to be.

And so are you. You are not an imposter either.

We’re in it, my fellow creatives, knee deep in systems that want us to believe we aren’t good enough so we never think to ask for more. That exhorts humility rather than self-assurance, so we don’t think to charge for our work or apply to that residency or submit to that publisher because we don’t think we’re enough.

But we are. You are. So go for it, whatever that next big thing is. Every word you dream up is more than enough. And I am so here for it.

me with my muse

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Writing/Marketing Resources

The Author’s Guild has put together several model AI use clauses for authors, agents, and publishers to incorporate (and/or request!) in their contracts.

In light of Fantasy Magazine closing it’s doors, Viable Paradise alum Jeff Reynolds has compiled a spectacular listing of professional, paying, speculative fiction magazines with links to donation and subscription pages. Support these outlets so they’ll stick around!

Everyone’s favorite writing structure book, Save the Cat, has an online beat¹ mapper that lets you know where each of their 15 story beats should be hitting in your page count. The website also has beat maps of well known books and movies to serve as examples for your own structural mapping!

Comps aren’t usually an easy one-to-one comparison. That’s where writer, Illana Bare’s, “book family tree” comes in. Have fun thinking about your book’s relationship to it’s influences and you might just find a useful elevator pitch!

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But Allison, what about Threads?

I’m going to be honest, I’ve avoided Threads, Facebook’s counter to the downfall of Twitter (excuse me, X), for a couple of reasons:

1. It seems to work best for folks who have a strong Instagram following/network already (which I don’t)

2. If it wasn’t for Facebook groups, I probably would have unplugged from Meta apps entirely because data-mining

3. I’m not convinced Threads is either a) filling the hole that Twitter left in the social media sphere and b) that it’s doing enough differently to warrant me committing time and emotional energy to develop a a new social media presence.

Are you on Threads? How is it working out? Should I give it more of a chance?

Here are some smart takes on Threads and the current social media landscape:

• “Threads Review: How Meta’s New App Stacks Up Against Twitter” {New York Times — free link}

• “Threads: Info for Writers and Creators to Consider Re: This New Social Platform” {Geeks}

• “So Where Are We Supposed to Go Now?” {The Verge}

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Reading Corner

“Rabbit Test” by Samantha Mills

“Rabbit Test” {Uncanny Magazine} is sweeping the SFF awards circuit (Nebula winner! Locus winner! Finalist for Hugo and the Sturgeon awards!) and for good reason. It is a stirring (and devastating) one-two punch of how far we’ve come and all the ways we’ve fallen short when it comes to reproductive rights and access. Weaving together history and an all-to-real future, this is a story of the moment and, as Mills so deftly tells it, of all moments.

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Industry News

• Milan Kundera, acclaimed Czech author of The Unbearable Lightness of Being died in early July at age 94 {Publisher’s Weekly}

• Simon & Schuster has found a new buyer in private equity firm, KKR {The New York Times — free link}

• The Writer’s Guild of America strike has hit the 100 day mark with no resolution in sight. Here’s a timeline of key events in the strike so far. {Variety}

• USA Today bestseller list is back, baby! {LitHub}

News on our Robot Overlords:

• Publishing guru Jane Friedman discovered five books, which she believes were AI generated from her own online material, had been attributed to her and published on Amazon without her permission {The Guardian} Amazon initially refused to remove the titles, as Friedman does not have her name trademarked.

• Last week, more AI controversy hit the writing world when novel-analysis site Prosecraft came under fire for mining novels without authors’ permission. {The Conversation} I like CounterCraft’s take on the impossibility of analyzing art via AI the way Prosecraft claims to.

• The Author’s Guild has crafted an open letter to generative AI leaders, calling for copyright compliance and compensation. It’s been signed by more than 8,000 writers and you can sign as well. Read more about the Guild’s take on generative AI here.

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Tea

We hosted a lemonade stand last week so, of course, I had to provide iced tea options as well (especially if folks wanted an Arnold Palmer). I made a standard black iced tea and a pitcher of iced Trader Joe’s Organic Blood Orange Rooibos Herbal Tea Blend which, with it’s round, mellow notes and hints of orange peel and hibiscus, goes great with a splash of lemonade.

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You’re enough, friend. Have a tall glass of iced tea or lemonade. Write some words. Help however you can against fire and flood. Know that your words make a difference.

~Allison

Writer & Marketing Coach
Keep Writing, Keep Connecting! Substack | Facebook | Website

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1. Story beat: a section in a story that is classified by how it moves the plot forward, as defined by certain emotional, character, or developmental elements based on it’s placement in the overall structure.