Write Squad Fortnightly News
A pause in proceedings... take a breath with me
Hi Squad,
Happy Monday!
How was your Easter? Did you manage to have a mini-break or at least a pause? Did you over-indulge in chocolate and hot cross buns like I did? Or simply spend a peaceful, reflective time with those around you? Whatever you did, I hope it was just the balm you needed.
Speaking of pausing…
The WSC Newsletter is going on a little pause itself. But I promise, it’s only a momentary pause.
There’s a lot going on in the world right now. Doesn’t it feel like we are right in the middle of a storm? A moment in history that in years to come they will teach about in schools?
From the international political landscape, the rapid development of AI, and the realisation that big tech and social media have impacted our lives in a way that we’re only just beginning to understand.
It’s a lot to unpack. And a lot to try and get our heads around. Which is why I need a little pause.
You may have seen I have joined with a couple of change movements. There is this petition for protecting our stories from big tech and AI put together by author Sandie Docker who asked me to support and contribute a quote to (and without hesitation did so!)
And I have also joined with fellow writers who have decided to move towards leaving Meta because their platforms no longer align with our values. There are many other reasons also, and the last straw was Meta’s blatant disregard, disrespect and dishonesty when it used a pirated database of millions of books (including mine) and research papers to train it’s generative AI machine without consent or compensation to the copyright holders.
Leaving Meta platforms isn’t a simple or straightforward process. It’s one that will be lengthy and involve various iterations and steps that will be different for each and every person. If you’re interested in this journey and process, whether simply out of curiosity or if it’s something you’re considering too, please join our Substack. Each of us will be sharing our own transition experiences as well as resources, information and tools. We hope to build the Substack into a community of likeminded souls who are open to being free of problematic platforms and building more meaningful connections both on and offline. You will find us here:
So yes, there’s a lot going on! And while I do not want our WSC space here on Substack to be impacted by political noise, it is an important issue to me both personally and professionally which is why I want to press pause for a moment.
Pressing the pause button will not only allow me the space to breathe, but give me time to refocus professionally and ensure my values align with what I’m offering in both the writing and publishing space.
Writers and readers and books all intersect. Readers love books. Writers love books. Writers are all readers. Some readers are writers. But we all share the common love of story. And it’s important to me that this space reflects that so I can support writers through this space and with the services I offer.
So squaddies, you do not have to do anything except promise me you’ll keep writing and moving forward with your passion for words and stories. I’ll be back in your inboxes before you know it with a further update.
Until then, here are some things you can catch up on in the meantime.
Comps & Opportunities
☘️ Flash Fiction Competition
Date: Register now, comp kicks off May 30th
Details here.
☘️ Australian Fiction Prize
Date: closes 30th May
Book length fiction. Details here.
☘️ The Black List Unpublished Novel Award
Date: 27th June
Various genre categories. Details here.
Food for Thought
⚡️ We’re Writing Off Meta. Join Us.
⚡️ Three Little Words That Will Unlock Your Revision
Ask The Author Podcast
🎙️ Catch Up on the Ask The Author podcast…
Have you caught up with the latest on the pod?
I recently finished my Genre Series with a wrap up episode
I also chatted about a controversial topic - Does Social Media Sell Books?
And this week I answered 4 quick fire questions on different topics.
So if you haven’t listened lately, hop to it!
Now out on your fav podcast app, or here’s the apple link or simply search for Ask The Author with Jodi Gibson
Until next time, happy writing!
Thank you for subscribing to this free community on Substack. My vision is to create a community of likeminded people that’s accessible to all which is why I operate under the free subscription model. However, if you find what I’m offering is of value and you wish to contribute, you can drop me a tip via ko-fi,com. to show your support.
Am with you on everything you’ve said and in a couple of monte I plan to leave meta. Would leave earlier but there’s a few things I need to do and can unfortunately only do there. But now that we can utilise Substack I hope to step up on this platform
You’re an inspiration Jodi!