A freelancing gig bites the dust.
A brief email just informed me that my next piece for ShelterPop would also be my last, running next Sunday. ShelterPop is being merged into StyList. I had been expecting it, in a superficial, sound bite, let's rile the populace, multiple hit media world, but it does not make the abrupt change or the serial killing of real-information writing fro real pay any easier to swallow.
A brief email just informed me that my next piece for ShelterPop would also be my last, running next Sunday. ShelterPop is being merged into StyList. I had been expecting it, in a superficial, sound bite, let's rile the populace, multiple hit media world, but it does not make the abrupt change or the serial killing of real-information writing fro real pay any easier to swallow.
This merge follows the bloodbath earlier in the year when The Huffington Post acquired AOL and hundreds of employees and freelancers lost their jobs. Over the last eighteen months I have seen two of my - excellent - editors move on to other things, ahead of the changes, and perhaps I should have bailed, then. An email to that current, wage-delivering, idea-engaging editor, just bounced right back. A little googling revealed that she left abruptly, too.
Perhaps I can resuscitate the gardeners' Q and A somewhere else.
On the other hand, a book contract I have been waiting is being drafted, and perhaps I need the head space. More about that, later.
I'm so sorry to hear that. I was laid off this spring. It is hell out there...
ReplyDeleteA book contract- so exciting and perfect for you, fingers crossed!
ReplyDeletePS- as they say- everything for a reason...good comes from bad...
That's a shame, but two quotes from the ubiquitous steve jobs come to mind: (1) - which I think of constantly when life is particularly testing: "Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick. Don't lose faith." (2) "I didn’t see it then, but it turned out that getting fired from Apple was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. The heaviness of being successful was replaced by the lightness of being a beginner again, less sure about everything. It freed me to enter one of the most creative periods of my life."
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about that. though I am sure you will be better off in the end, you are too talented not to be.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to hear more about your new project.
Congrats on the book contract! Let's discuss over cocktails.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear about Shelterpop. I used to ejoy reading your articles.
ReplyDeleteThe book thing sounds exciting though, I can't wait to hear more.
Excited about the book deal. Awaiting details.
ReplyDeleteHuffpo consumed by AOL. Poor AOL, seems like a leftover from the old USSR.
ReplyDeleteYip yip to the contract, the loss of money earnin's never a good thing.
Marie, If you write it, I will buy!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous - I am sorry. Yes, it's challenging. What you said.
ReplyDeleteKaren - Thanks - yes, it is exciting. And good can come from bad, yes. But I don't believe that everything bad has a silver lining :-)Sometimes bad is just bad.
Fernenland (best user name ever) - well...I'm no Steve Jobs, but certainly Mr. Jobs is an example worthy of emulation. Thank you.
Lily H - you're kind, thank you.
Ellen - mose def. Large cocktails?
Anne - thank you. Shall spill the beans when I can.
Frank - yep, moolah is moolah. Kind of abrupt, too.
halfpintvt - thank you so much. Hope you and yours dry out sooner rather than later.
Cristy - me too!
Book!!! Cool. :)
ReplyDeleteA book ? I remember years ago telling you about a book, no idea anymore what was the subject. However, your story is worth a book (or a movie), you should get copyright deposit on it !
ReplyDeletebut, as we say : les gens heureux n'ont pas d'histoire...
B(long time reader but silent)