May 2023 Monthly Roundup
Introducing the Waywards Monthly Roundup of my recently published articles plus germane updates and anecdotes.
This, Waywards reader, is the first ever roundup of my recently published articles.
Shout out to journalist Julia Métraux and her “Journalism Updates + a Lucky Photo” publication for giving me the idea.
In addition to a list of and links to recently published pieces I authored, my monthly roundups will typically include a few life and work updates/anecdotes from me. So buckle up. It might get bumpy.
Here are the pieces I wrote that got published this month:
Exploring Sex on College Campuses / Giddy / 5-4-23
Residents and Advocates Demand a Warehouse Moratorium for a “Region in Crisis” / The Frontline Observer / 5-26-23
I worked on both stories a while back, prior to the beginning of May.
In past months, I would have more clips to share. But some gigs have dried up a bit, and although I’ve been developing multiple articles and putting together pitches as of late, a lot of the work has yet to appear online — though several pieces are in the pipeline and putatively forthcoming.
On the labor front, I’ll share that May started off on a somewhat depressing note.
On May 1, I received an email from an editor. The editor informed me that a story I authored, after another editor at the outlet commissioned my pitch, now wouldn’t be published. I had submitted the initial draft in early April. I made edits suggested by the editor who commissioned the story, and I resubmitted a revised draft a few days later. The piece was handed off to someone else in editorial, and it sat for several weeks.
The editor who emailed me on May 1 decided the story couldn’t be salvaged. Editorial did not offer me the chance to rework the piece with a fresh news peg or with a different frame.
Instead, I got the aforementioned email letting me know that not only would a piece I put a lot of work into not be published by the outlet that had commissioned it; I would now only receive the kill fee, just a quarter of the rate offered initially.
Notably, I received this message from an editor at an ostensibly labor-oriented outlet and on the first of May, known as International Workers’ Day. The irony was not lost on me, but I don’t know if staff at the publication recognized it.
I understand many outlets have limited budgets. I also respect editorial decisions to determine what’s most newsworthy and prioritize that. But the news I received to start the month was disappointing nonetheless.
Yet, do not despair, dear Waywards reader. An editor at a different outlet commissioned me to write a revamped version of the story. An iteration of it ought to appear online at some point.
I’ve learned it’s ill-advised to assume anything, however, as life has a way of surprising you, for better or for worse.
A few disappointments in interpersonal relationships had me down this month. But in relation, I have come to realize the universe sometimes has your back when you’re inclined to think the opposite.
And real friends always try to have your back.
Earlier this week, when I was feeling less than enthusiastic about things, I watched Game 7 of the NBA’s Eastern Conference Finals at a friend’s place in Moreno Valley. Afterward, we shot hoops at nearby Weston Park. Kawhi Leonard, small forward for the LA Clippers and a two-time NBA champion who played high school ball in both Moreno Valley and Riverside, provided funds to build the court in the park. After our shoot around session, we headed back to my friend’s place for dinner and conversation, which left me feeling appreciably better.
Here are photos I took of the Kawhi court with my phone, as well as a picture of me with my friend and his partner at their place.
Until next time!