Simon Says... You're Missing Out On The Best New TV Show Of 2021
Plus, lots of shopping inspo + a shame-y 13-year-old.
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).
Hello there! I hope you all are staying well and safe during this new (but also old?), weird time we’re in right now. 2021 has been quite the year, to say the least, and I, for one, am very ready to see what 2022 has in store, although maybe we shouldn’t have any expectations at all?
Word.
Here’s what’s up in this edition of Simon Says:
Some Stories I Wrote Last Week
Last week, I teased that I had a TV-centric op-ed in the works, and here it is! For NBC News THINK, I wrote about why Showtime’s Yellowjackets is not only one of the best new series of the year, but one of the most feminist and necessary, too.
Otherwise, it was a whole lot of e-comm, because apparently, it’s the holidays and people are shopping like crazy. Who would’ve thought?
For InStyle, I found some cute New Year’s Eve looks that aren’t dresses (i.e. jumpsuits, maxi skirts, etc.) on Amazon, if you need any last-minute inspo.
Also on InStyle, I wrote about SKIMS’ thermal leggings, which are very size-inclusive and have a bazillion great reviews from shoppers. Kim K knows what she’s doing!
For Brides, I rounded up 18 wedding invitations perfect for fall, with picks from Etsy, Minted, Zola, and more.
Last but not least, over on Real Simple, I made a list of stylish and supportive bralettes from Target, because honestly, if you’re still wearing underwire at this point, WYD?
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 op-ed on Yellowjackets.
I’ve done a number of pop culture-focused op-eds for NBC News THINK over the years, so I knew they tend to like stories on new movies and TV shows that tell readers why they should care about said movie/TV show. I’d seen a few episodes of Yellowjackets and had found myself thinking about how realistically the series portrays teenage girls (and how frustratingly rare that is in media), so I sent my editor a pitch with that angle. She was interested, but wanted to wait to say yes until there was a bit more hype around the show—but once there was, about a week later, she circled back and gave me the green light.
Other Work/Life Stuff Of Note
I’ve finally gotten through all my Christmas crossword puzzle orders, but I already have some Valentine’s Day requests in! If you’re looking for a romantic, original gift idea for your partner, order your puzzle here (and message me if you have any questions).
Also—as some of you know, I do 1:1 essay coaching on occasion, and while I typically work with adults or high school seniors, I had a session with an eighth grader last week who’s applying to a pre-college program. It was such an interesting challenge to work with an actual kid! She’s really smart and curious, and helping her learn how to write an essay was neat. However, when I mentioned that I liked Taylor Swift, she laughed and said, “I’m not surprised,” and I will be thinking about that for the rest of my life.
Coming Up…
I just got some pitches approved for stories I’m super excited about, and they’ll probably arrive in January! I do have two fun articles coming out next week, though, I believe, that I’m also very much looking forward to seeing go live.
Merry Christmas if you celebrate, and if you don’t, enjoy the good ‘ol tradition of Chinese food and movies! A perfect pair, IMO.
Until next time,
Rachel