Simon Says... Abortion Is A Human Right
Fight, however you can.
Welcome to Simon Says, a weekly newsletter from Rachel Simon all about freelance life—from the inside scoop on just-published stories to advice on how to pitch to what it’s *really* like to leave a cozy full-time gig for the chaotic, unpredictable world of invoicing (jk, freelancing, but IYKYK).
Like all of you, I’m heartbroken and outraged by the news that the Supreme Court is going to overturn Roe v. Wade. It may not have come as a surprise, but it still feels like such a gut punch, especially when thinking about all the other civil rights that may now be at risk as a result of this horrific decision. Abortion is a human right that must be protected and fought for by us all.
Last night, I joined hundreds of other Raleigh-area citizens in a march to protest the news. It was truly gratifying to see so many people come together for the cause, and I was grateful for the opportunity to speak about why this issue matters so much to CBS17:
You can read the full story here.
It feels weird and wrong to go back to regular work when the news is this terrible, but I know that I’ll be staying angry, and donating to abortion funds, and volunteering at my local clinic. I encourage you all to do the same, if you aren’t already.
Some Stories I Wrote Last Week
For IndyWeek, I wrote about a few Raleigh-area food businesses who’ve successfully used TikTok to market their food and gain customers.
For Daily Paws, I looked into the surprisingly high number of U.S. states that let you have your dog act as your legal wedding witness (yes, really!).
Also for Daily Paws, I reviewed the giant pet food storage container that we got off our wedding registry and think is the *best.*
For Better Homes and Gardens, I researched the best charcoal grills on the market, to help with all your BBQ-ing needs.
Over on Real Simple, I looked into the best hangers you can buy for dresses, sweaters, suits, and more.
With Mother’s Day coming up this weekend, I rounded up some fun gift ideas to give dog-loving moms for People.
And finally, also for People, I spotlighted the super helpful and cute Mother’s Day gift kits available on Target.
The Inside Scoop
Each week, I’ll pick one story I’ve written (new or old, if needed) and explain how it got from pitch/assignment to publication. This week, it’s the IndyWeek story on Raleigh food TikTokers.
I originally pitched this idea to IndyWeek as a roundup of Raleigh-area small businesses with super-popular TikTok accounts, but after discussing with my editor and doing some more research, we decided to narrow the focus to food, in particular. For the story, I spoke to three local food-centric small business owners with big TikToks about how the platform has helped them bring in customers and sell their products. It was a fun story to write, and I hope you all enjoy reading!
Other Work/Life Stuff Of Note
Your weekly reminder that you can pre-order my book Pickleball For All right now from Amazon, Target, Barnes & Noble, and more. Only three and a half months to go!
If you’re looking for a graduation gift idea, consider getting the grad a customized puzzle all about them and their favorite things. On sale now!
Coming Up…
My next Creative Nonfiction class starts on May 18! If you’re based in the Triangle, you can sign up here to join.
I have a lot of articles backlogged from a few different outlets, so look out for those in the coming weeks. Can’t wait to share!
Thanks for reading, as always.
Love,
Rachel