Welcome to Simon Says, a weekly newsletter from Rachel Simon about writing, not writing, and sort-of-, kind-of, I’m-putting-words-on-a-page-but-let’s-be-real-they’re-garbage writing. For current and aspiring writers, but everyone else is welcome, too.
Yesterday, one of my biggest fears as a journalist came true: a big-deal interview didn’t record properly (turns out, Chromebooks’ internal recorders don’t catch Zoom calls). Naturally, I immediately freaked out. This was an interview with a celebrity, for a major outlet, due extremely soon. I was going to have to basically beg her publicist for a re-do and hope they could fit me in despite her extremely busy schedule, and if that didn’t work, tell my editor that the interview was a no-go, which would be embarrassing and unprofessional and just really, really sucky.
Luckily, the star’s publicist was very understanding and is fitting me in for a second interview today, so I’ll be able to file the story on time. But man, was that scary. As a reporter, you know that mistakes like this happen all the time, and you do your best to avoid them. I’ve spent my whole journalistic career making sure my recorder is working properly and telling students to always, always do the same. But this time, I messed up. And it almost caused some seriously bad results.
All this is to say that even if you’ve done hundreds of interviews and worked in the industry for years, shit happens. And when it does, it’s a very good (if terrifying) reminder to slow down, check your set-up, and make sure you have everything you need to ensure it never happens again. Onward and upward!
Other Work Updates:
Pickleball Magazine featured me in a story on women leading the pickleball boom, and the Midwest Independent Booksellers named Pickleball for All an indie bestseller!
I did some fun interviews for my book earlier this week, including with Missouri’s Show Me Today, Austin’s Good Day Austin, and Raleigh’s very own News & Observer.
There’s still time to enter the sweepstakes to win a pickleball starter kit and a copy of my book! You can get more details here.
Last pickleball note: I had a nice time writing this primer for over-50 folks for AARP and doing a roundup of luxurious pickleball resorts for Hemispheres mag (in print only at this point).
I also wrote about upcoming books by North Carolinian authors for IndyWeek, the best paper shredders for Real Simple, cute engagement party favor ideas for Brides, the best bootcut jeans for Byrdie, and cozy fall sweaters for People.
There’s still time to sign up for one of my upcoming writing classes this fall: Creative Nonfiction (via Zoom) with Gotham Writers Workshop or Freelancing with Redbud Writers Project in Raleigh.
This Week in Pop Culture:
So many good Emmy wins! I’m especially happy for Zendaya, Julia Garner, Jean Smart, Sheryl Lee Ralph, and my beloved Tom Wambsgans.
I also think this photo of the Yellowjackets ladies reacting to Kenan’s Showtime joke should be hung in the Louvre:
Kurt and I watched Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, and it was extremely good!!
I read T.J. Newman’s thriller Flying in 48 hours and holy crap, this book.
I enjoyed this Kelly Clarkson interview, and just everything Kelly does in general.
It’s officially Mona Lisa Smile season.
This Week’s Gratitude Moment:
Kurt and I spent the weekend in Vermont for a wedding alongside a group of close friends I met studying abroad eight years ago. It was a beautiful wedding, made even more special knowing that it’s the second (of three) weddings within this small group happening this year. There’s truly nothing better than getting to celebrate the love of people you love, over and over again.
That’s all for now, folks. Have a great week!
-Rachel