Cruel Compendium #83 👽
Having a weekend, raising our rates, and singing with paintings.
Last week, I wrote about the art of return. I’m dead tired, and I’m still working on returning. I’ll get there.
This weekend was one that made me feel so grateful to live in Austin.
On Saturday, I moderated a panel at Texas Book Festival in the underground of the Texas Capitol building. Outside, tens of thousands of people roamed tents to talk about books and ideas and progress in the state that bans the most books. I connected with writers and readers of all kinds and felt good about the life I’ve built for myself here, and the millions of my neighbors who care about making “y’all means all” a reality.
At night, I went to a cocktail party on the roof of the Jones Center and rubbed shoulders with authors whose books altered my brain chemistry. I went to my dear friend’s birthday party in a park under the stars, gathered close with the people who make me feel at home here. I finished the night spinning under the disco lights at Outer Heaven till closing time.
On Sunday morning, I played croquet with my older neighbor and her husband in the park. The breeze blew through the trees while we drank tea and ate cookies. Then I spent a few hours exploring Austin Studio Tour, my favorite event of the year. I got invited into people’s homes and art studios all over town. I marveled at so much creativity in my city, and made sure to tell artists when their work moved me.
It was a weekend that made me feel alive.
Be sure to click “View entire message” at the end of this email so you can read the whole post in your browser. On to the links!
So, what had happened was… by Ashley Reese
Probably my favorite post-election read.
Election Day by Rusty Foster
Five things you can do right now by Jessica Valenti
10 ways to be prepared and grounded now that Trump has won by Daniel Hunter
Let feathers ruffle by Anna Fusco
May I recommend some fall and winter reads?
Wintering by Katherine May. It’s the perfect time to read this book to settle into your winter self and lean into living by the season.
Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman. The anti-productivity productivity book that will gently remind you that: 1. You are going to die. 2. You only have so much time to do what matters to you. 3. The secret to doing those things is not doing more, but doing less.
Bits and bobs about freelance writing.
My newest clip in print in Tribeza magazine:
How Austin Artist Dawn Okoro Painted Her Way to International Success. Check out her art at the brand-new Houston Meow Wolf!
What now? from Jen A. Miller
A thread on how freelancers are preparing for 2025.
My take: “Stacking my client list as best I can. Raising my rates/letting people know I WILL raise my rates in 2025. Making plan Bs for work I want to offload. Planning an end of year audit/creative coaching.”
Jenni Gritters on the pros and cons of going S Corp.
I wrote a comprehensive guide to whether freelancers should stay LLC or go S Corp for Contently. I’ve been an S Corp for a couple years now, and it does save me a few thousand come tax season.
How to ask for higher rates (and actually get them) by Natasha Khullar Relph
The No Excuse Hour sounds a lot like my sacred creative mornings.
Maybe I can level up to monk mode mornings.
Andy Hirschfeld invites you to join the Remote Worker Collective in NYC
Please submit your questions on life, love, and creativity for the next installment of Dear Jilla! Read my advice on embracing your cringe.
Causes I care about and actions for change.
My dear friend Becky Bullard, aka the founder of Democrasexy, is fundraising $125,000 by November 22! Democrasexy is an organization that centers joyful activism for all in Texas, especially women and LGBTQ+ and trans folks. Becky cares about this state and Texans so much; hosts the most magnificent, inclusive, exciting events; and constantly teaches me how to better show up for civic good.
In Becky’s own words: “I am the founder of Democrasexy, a ‘pleasure activism’ organization guided by adrienne maree brown’s assertion that the pursuit of justice and liberation can be the most pleasurable human experience.”
Please donate, and if you can’t donate, share!
Visit ceasefiretoday.com for helpful links to email/call your Congress members, sign petitions, find a protest near you, and more.
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My Project 2025 by Saeed Jones
🤸🏽♂️ Author, TV writer, and CSBC podcast guest Dylan Marron wrote about his kinship with the infamous Australian breakdancer Raygun in his new newsletter, Reconsider This. So excited to read more from Dylan again!
🎙️ Bridget Everett on Fresh Air. If you’re not watching Somebody Somewhere on HBO, you’re missing out.
💸 NYC City Council moves brokerage fee responsibilities to landlords. This is HUGE.
👜 Phia Chrome extension: Quickly search the web for resale deals on a coveted item.
🧙🏽 I went to the Shrek Rave with my swamp pals
🏋🏼♀️ What you clicked on most in the last Compendium: 10 rules for loving and being loved well by Roxane Gay
Support for the week ahead from your higher self.
Now that some of the dust has settled, let me tell you a little Election Day tarot tale. On the morning of November 5, I pulled four cards, all reversed.
No, I was not happy when I saw them. Yes, they said it all. No, I won’t be pulling cards on Election Day ever again.
Me:
5 of Swords reversed (reconciliation, making amends)
The Nation:
Hierophant reversed (personal beliefs, freedom, challenging the status quo)
The President:
King of Pentacles reversed (financially inept, obsessed with wealth and status, stubborn)
Guide for the week:
6 of Pentacles reversed (self-care)
So happy for you honey!
Sounds like you’re loving Austin!!
💐💕💐