Your Weekly Dose of EEE #9: The Most I've Ever Cried at the TV

Plus, an exciting new feature and an upcoming in-person event!

I reflexively used a stock photo on Wednesday's post, but this is what I should have used. STYX/REO Speedwagon concert with Mom & Dad, c.2000. I was singing over the crowd then, too.

Hello!

It’s been a crazy week, but aren’t they all? This one has been a slow and deliberate kind of crazy, but still full of stuff. I had intended to take Wednesday to write, and I guess I did, but I was writing shorter things (like Nicci’s Notes) that some might say distract me from the novel writing, which is a little overwhelming to me right now.

Something else that’s been distracting in the best possible way is a new feature that Substack (the platform that hosts this newsletter) has opened up in the last few days. It’s called, coincidentally, “Notes,” and it’s a way to connect with and discover readers and writers that exist in this platform. If you want to use Notes to connect in a more informal way, you can visit us at www.substack.com/notes and get in on the conversation! (You’ll need a Substack account for this!)

What’s Exciting Me?

When We Were Mothers is officially going to be carried by All She Wrote Books, in Somerville, MA, which is very exciting to me for a number of reasons:

1. It’s a really good fit, as ASWB is a feminist bookshop. It’s also big and beautiful.

2. My book will be placed on a table next to some comparable titles, and I think it will probably actually sell. (It won’t make me any money at all, because the book industry is criminal and exploitative, but hopefully it will expand my reach.)

3. They invited me to join them at Independent Bookstore Day on April 29, and I’ll be there meeting readers and signing books!

In case you were wondering the best way to buy When We Were Mothers so I actually earn more than 19₵ (I wish I were joking) in royalties, the ebook is has the best margins and you can get it at Amazon or Books2Read.

What’s Entertaining Me?

📺 It’s hard to choose just one this week, but I’m going to have to go with Succession. (Warning: Spoilers contained below.)

After seeing so many people sick about spoilers and bragging that since I don’t really use the internet, I hadn’t been spoiled, I saw a full spoiler in the most unlikely of places—an email from Help a Reporter Out (HARO), a service that connects journalists with experts who can help them with source material for articles.

The spoiler was a doozy—Colonel-Mustard-in-the-Study-with-a-Candlestick-level specificity—but though I knew what would happen, I was completely unprepared for the emotional journey this episode would take me on. “No, I’m not crying about this,” I said to my husband early on in the episode. “I just have an eyelash in my eye.” And that was true. I had watched up to that point with a mix of skepticism (because things are never what they seem) and callous detachment (because I expected it to happen and, to me, it was high time it did).

But the kids. The disbelief, the pleading, the detachment from reality, the realization of all that would be left unsaid, the uncertainty. I’ve been through it, and it’s brutal. I connected with these characters on such a human level, even though I really don’t like them that much as people. Someone described them as transparent as glass, and as fragile (I think I’m paraphrasing) and I thought that was just beautiful. My eyes weren’t dry for the last 2/3 of the show, and the deep sorrow still hasn’t entirely left.

📖 I have a lot of reading going on, but one thing I started reading (or, listening to) this week was

Ben Wakeman

's The Memory of My Shadow. I'm four episodes in, and I am enjoying it. The first scene was gripping and horrifying and gut-wrenching and very difficult to read/listen to. But as an origin story, it was really great setup and very well-written. The story is about a woman who works to develop AI to help her understand a school shooting that was a pivotal moment in her life. I’m not giving a great synopsis here, because I’m not super far in, but it’s compelling and I can’t wait to get back to it when I have some time.

🎶 This is a funny one, since I’m writing it after Wednesday’s Note. Basically, I’m listening to everything. But if I had to pinpoint one recommendation for the week, how about Leon Bridges? Super groovy. I was just introduced to him this week, but I enjoy listening to his music in the background while I work and chat.

What’s Enlightening Me?

I’m so sorry to report,

Alex Dobrenko`

and

Eric Pierce

, and others who were invested, that we tried SO HARD to watch High Fidelity again. We still didn't make it through. I get what you’re saying about it being iconic John Cusack, but I think maybe I just don’t like John Cusack? Or the kinds of movies he makes?

The enlightening part is that I’m not feeling guilty about not enjoying it, where previously I’d think there was something wrong with me for not liking it. That is one thing I’ve learned as I’ve gotten older: I actually don’t need to apologize for liking the things I like and not liking others. It feels nice.

Also, it helps me keep perspective when I see bad ratings on my book. Everyone has their thing, and all I can do is try to get the book out to people who will enjoy and connect with it.

And with that, I’m off.

Talk soon,