Networking with a Real Housewife
Plus publishing advice and 2 upcoming events: DC and virtual
I’m Tawny, author of Dry Humping: A Guide to Dating, Relating, and Hooking Up Without the Booze, co-host of the Recovery Rocks podcast, and co-founder of the vinegar-based botanical beverage, (parentheses)
I recently spoke on a panel in Philly about sobriety and writing/publishing a book. I shared the stage with my dear friend and fellow debut author, Dr. Brooke Scheller, and author/therapist, Danielle Massi, LFMT. The three of us discussed the intersection of sobriety, creativity, and author life in front of a few dozen folks sipping on an assortment of NA drinks.
This panel was refreshing because most of my book tour events are answering the same questions about sober sex and dating (I mean… I did write a book about those things!). I truly enjoy talking about the writing and publishing process.
I spoke candidly about how my mental health struggles have amplified over the last few months since becoming a debut author. I spoke with honesty because I liked it when authors were honest about processes when I was in the early stages of writing my book.
Yes, you should 100% write and publish a book if you want to. And yes, you should be 100% prepared for what to expect when expecting… a book.
There are many things I didn’t expect when I got sober; hanging out with a Real Housewife is one of them. Margaret Josephs (Real Housewives of New Jersey) and I are both making our rounds in the mental health space, as this isn’t the first time we were booked on the same bill. She’s not in recovery, but she candidly shares what it was like to grow up as a child in an alcoholic home. That’s why she rarely drinks and why she launched her own NA drink.
I gave her a signed copy of my book and then asked if I could ask her a few questions about being a woman in the very male-dominated Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG). She offered some kind words of encouragement and business advice. She even came over to our booth, where Nick and I offered samples of our new drink (P.S. “After” is her favorite!)
I appreciate how approachable Margaret is. She went out of her way to follow up with me, sharing advice on the CPG world. She wants women to succeed. She’s *not* a gatekeeper.
Speaking of *not* gatekeeping, I have a virtual event coming up about creating an inclusive sober space through language…
Upcoming Events
VIRTUAL - Join me and
on January 29th at 2PST/5EST to discuss the roles that inclusivity and gatekeeping play in sobriety discourse. We’ll break down different sobriety terms while discussing our own experiences of personal evolution as writers. Check out Gemma’s incredible book, Fed Up: Emotional Labor, Women, and The Way Forward, based on her viral 2017 article for Harper’s Bazaar.Washington D.C. - I’m one of the keynote speakers at Mindful Drinking Fest in DC this weekend, hosted by the incredible
! Grab tickets here.
Links
This essay about the cult of entrepreneurship and the façade of the American Dream
This video of me talking about my chaotic writing process and this one about how sobriety improved my relationships
This sobriety glossary I published in preparation for Monday’s virtual event
This profile on queen Emily Nagoski discussing how writing about sex ruined her sex life
This piece by
about setting boundaries with people who lack self-awareness or have no desire to do “the work”
Classes
This Substack newsletter class taught by my friend
starts in a few weeks. I’m a guest speaker at her Feb 21st class!This Book Proposal class taught by my incredible agent and fellow author,
.
Take care of yourselves. Set boundaries. Pursue pleasure.
Super cool!
Super valuable newsletter! Thanks Tawny!