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THREAD Since my op-ed, so many people have reached out to me asking for guidance on how to share their stories of workplace mistreatment. Here are a few things that helped me:
1/x Document everything. Keep a diary. Record if allowed by law. Email friends and family members. Even if you never share, this helps prevent gaslighting.
2/x Know your rights. Read any NDAs you signed. If possible, request a copy of your employment file. Try to hire a lawyer, visit a legal clinic, or at least follow discrimination litigator @QianJulieWang
3/x Protect yourself. I was only able to write about my former employer because I was in a good place. You and your family come first. I saw victims decline to speak up because it wasn& #39;t safe-- I respect that. This applies psychologically, as well.
4/x Now, for actually writing :) if your goal is newspapers/magazines, learn how to pitch! @annfriedman& #39;s guide is my fave. https://medium.com/@annfriedman/how-and-where-to-pitch-your-writing-1c316fa37bda
Every">https://medium.com/@annfried... piece I& #39;ve published has been a cold pitch or a slush pile submission. I found the editors contact on Twitter
Every">https://medium.com/@annfried... piece I& #39;ve published has been a cold pitch or a slush pile submission. I found the editors contact on Twitter
5/x Have a timely peg. Even if it gets edited out, this gets editors more likely to read and makes it more ok to send to multiple editors.
For the last 2.5 years, I& #39;d see news stories, get upset, then write something that day. None of them saw the light of day, but I was ready.
For the last 2.5 years, I& #39;d see news stories, get upset, then write something that day. None of them saw the light of day, but I was ready.
6/x Celebrate rejection. In 2018 and 2019, I racked up over 100 rejections per year. I learned so much from them and started getting excited to hear "no" instead of just silence.
7/x Aim high- but not just for the big names. My first piece was for the amazing @OhThatRajul at Vice& #39;s health blog on jaw botox. Was it a heavy hitting piece? Did I learn so much? YES.
Also writing for @saribotton at @Longreads, @The_Rumpus, @BoulevardLitMag, helped so much
Also writing for @saribotton at @Longreads, @The_Rumpus, @BoulevardLitMag, helped so much
8/x find a writing community! I was so grateful to take class with @hilella and meet my soulmates. If you have the means, @sackettstreet and @CatapultStory are great. @awpwriter mentorship program is free if you pay for a membership (~$80). There are great free groups online, too
9/9 know that you are not alone! So many folks are going through this and will appreciate you speaking out
Those are a few things that helped me. What am I missing? What am I overlooking?
Those are a few things that helped me. What am I missing? What am I overlooking?
