I had some amazing friends who were genuinely excited for my success. And I had some congratulate me through gritted teeth. I could smell it on them. “Why you and not me?” I found that a lot of my friends—people I was once able to commiserate with about the trials and tribulations of the publishing industry—were suddenly a lot less interested in hearing what I had to say. To their mind, I had nothing to worry about. I’d made it to the Promised Land. I’d never have a bad night’s sleep again.

✨ Reader offer✨: Open Secrets Live: A Personal Storytelling Summit Open Secrets magazine, founded by Rachel Kramer Bussel, is hosting this personal storytelling summit, featuring over 35 essayists, memoirists, and editors discussing what it means to share your “secrets” with the world via writing. Jane Pratt (of Another Jane Pratt Thing) is the keynote speakers, alongside culture critic and romance novelist Kari Ferrell, Sari Botton (of Oldster Magazine), Tracy O’Neill (Woman of Interest), Michele Filgate (What My Father and I Don't Talk About, forthcoming), and Electric Literature editor-in-chief Denne Michele Norris, to name just a few. And using this link, RtC readers can get tickets for $25 (regular price is $35) until they sell out. Thank you, Rachel! Saturday, May 3, 8.30am-5pm; address upon registration