Lately, I’ve been thinking of all the ways this space has fostered community. Whether it be specific topics or long-form essays. As the year rounds out between late night Ebay shopping for gifts, things-to-do for advent, and general closing out and turning in, I’ve been finding the light on this e-page. A light that signifies no matter where we are, or what we do, the community we care and keep, is all that matters.
In that spirit, I wanted to invite you (the reader) to share some words of your own on community! This space will turn ten in the new year, and I see no better way to kick off the tenth year with words from those who return to this space. The form will be similar to my Sex Stories series I hosted last year, where I invited writers to share their pieces about sex during the pandemic and beyond. For a few weeks I received short and long prose that inspired so many of us. We’ll be accepting these submission until December 28th and you can email them directly to latonya@latonyayvette.com with Community in the subject.
While we post them every week at the start of the year, I’ll be returning to this space sporadically throughout, as I spend time reflecting on what community means to me personally, politically, and professionally. Entering ten years of this space feels like an important milestone to slow down and take stock and see what may be around the corner. In addition to weeks of reflection on my part, I’ll be editing my book of essays that I wrote this year with Dial Press, which will tentatively be published late spring/early summer of 2023 (far right?), getting The Mae House launched and shareable with a different version of community as the ground for sharing, and I’ll be gearing up for a mini tour with Amanda Jane Jones, for The Hair Book. Surely, this space has built those expansive opportunities to grow and help effect small ripples of change while building community. I’m forever grateful.
They can be posted with your name or anonymously and will be edited by Sarah, our editor. In the meantime, we thought it would be a wonderful idea to do a round up of 10 posts on community as an early celebration to carry with us through the holidays and into the new year.
+ A Day At The Salon by Katherine
+ What Does Community Look Like For Your Kids?
+ On Moving by Anja Tyson
+ It Takes A Village. Or A Brownstone in Brooklyn
+ Naptime: A Summer Of Rest by Sarah Ann Noel
I hope you’ll share your words with us, so that we can share them with everyone else!
Graphic by Grace for LY
