NYTimes Feature AND(!) NYTimes Book Review
Hey there. I find it hard to concentrate while refreshing my screen every 5 seconds waiting for election results. You too? Here’s a happy newsletter to distract us.
Lots of Love From The New York Times
On Friday (November 4th), I was on a long hike in Scotland on the Isle of Skye — it’s a gorgeous and remote area and there wasn’t much phone reception. About 30 minutes into the two hour hike, a text from my book publicist made it through to me: The New York Times had just published a feature article about me and Ejaculate Responsibly, and that it was so good she was tearing up.
Of course I was so excited!! And of course I couldn’t get the link to open to read the article because I didn’t have enough bars!!! Hahaha. But, as we continued the hike (probably the prettiest hike of my life, so I can’t complain), a few texts would make it through to my phone — messages from friends and family who had seen the article and were congratulating me. It made a wonderful hike even more wonderful.
Once we were finished with the hike and were back in the car and closer to civilization, my daughter Betty read the article aloud to the family, and we cheered because it was so good.
I’ve never been written up in a feature-length article like that and I was so nervous about what the article would be like, and worried I would feel misunderstood. But I shouldn’t have worried. Kase Wickman, the journalist (picture with me above), did a wonderful job telling my story and I really felt seen. And the photos turned out gorgeous too! They were taken by Matthew Avignone — a US photographer based in Paris (pictured with me below).
If you’re curious, I shared a video talking about what the interview process was like (it took about six weeks and many calls/zooms). It was so different than any other interview I’ve ever participated in. And I shared another video showing what the photoshoot for the article was like.
By the way, if you don’t have a NYTimes subscription but want to read the article, ask your local library if they have a subscription — if they do, they should have an access code for you.
New York Times Book Review
So the feature came out on Friday, and then yesterday (Tuesday, November 8th), just a few days later, the New York Times featured Ejaculate Responsibly in their book review column called Inside The List!!!
It’s a terrific little piece and I really loved the interview with Elisabeth Egan. She is a peer to me age-wise and we had such a great discussion about parenting.
—-
The New York Times bestseller list! A New York Times feature article! A New York Times book review! It’s a lot of love all at once and I’m so grateful and honored. Certainly the way I see it is: the more attention for the book, and the ideas in the book, the better.
Other Book Highlights You Might Enjoy
-I was interviewed about the book by Dan Savage for his legendary Savage Love podcast.
-I was interviewed about the book by Kim France and Jenn Romolini for their excellent Everything Is Fine podcast.
-I was interviewed about the book for a segment on Louisiana Public Radio — check out the Louisiana Considered segment from November 3rd.
-I received a DM on Instagram that Ejaculate Responsibly is on the San Francisco Chronicle’s bestseller list.
-Insider published an excerpt from Ejaculate Responsibly.
-And I wrote an introduction post on Instagram for anyone who is new around here, or who wants a little more info on my background.
Alt Summit Call for Presenters Ends Today
Some of you may know that I run a conference for social media creators and entrepreneurs in creative fields. It’s called Alt Summit and it’s happening in March in Palm Springs, California. And today is the last day to submit presentation ideas for the conference!
We’re not just looking for stand-alone speakers, we’re also looking for roundtable discussion leaders, art installation creators, fashion designers (for runway shows), topic experts for Q&A desks, workshop instructors, and panelists. Basically, if you’ve got something to share that will resonate with the Alt Summit audience, we’d LOVE to hear from you.
That’s all for now. Feel free to comment on anything I mentioned above, or whatever’s on your mind. I hope you have a good Wednesday.
kisses,
Gabrielle
Hi, I’m Gabrielle Blair and this is my newsletter. It’s completely free to access and read, but if you feel so moved to support my work, please consider a paid newsletter subscription: just $5/month or save money with the $50/annual sub. You can also go way above and beyond by becoming a Founding Member at $75. Or, some of you have let me know you’d rather send money directly via Paypal and Venmo (@gabrielle-blair). Thank you! Seriously, thank you. Support from readers keeps this newsletter ad and sponsor-free.
Thanks for the tip about libraries and the NYT!