My Publishing Journey: One More Step to Freedom

by | Nov 15, 2018 | My Publishing Journey | 12 comments

I deleted my New England Antiques Journal email account on Monday. If you’ve read my post on becoming a starving artist, you’ll know what I’m talking about. I’ll admit it took me a few days to do it, even though my official last day was November 1st, even though I was no longer responding to the numerous press releases that my NEAJ inbox would receive on a daily basis (some days as many as 100). What can I say? Eleven years of my life, and it took all of eleven seconds to delete the account, and all of the email history associated with it. That’s scary stuff.

And yet…the moment I did it, I felt this incredible sense of freedom. No more packing up my iMac to take to our cabin on Lake Superior to edit articles and photographs, respond to emails from advertisers, publicists, team members, and writers, along with a myriad of other NEAJ related activities—all while on vacation. I can write on an iPad. In an notebook, using my favorite pen.

I can write.

Butt in chair. Fingers on keyboard. Ready, set, go…

12 Comments

  1. John Lindermuth
    John Lindermuth on November 16, 2018 at 1:38 pm

    Happy for your freedom, Judy, and wishing you the best. But I’m sad to see another good print mag diminished. Digital just isn’t the same. A magazine I’ve had relations with for decades just folded while holding two of my articles, which now won’t be used. Still, I was fortunate. The editor had only one week’s notice of what was happening and she’d work for the company for years.

    • Judy Penz Sheluk
      Judy Penz Sheluk on November 16, 2018 at 1:55 pm

      Thank you John. It is sad, the state of print. I am lucky that I started in 2003, when print was still thriving. Would not like to break into the market now. I’m sorry to hear about your editor friend, and the magazine folding.

  2. Grace Topping
    Grace Topping on November 15, 2018 at 2:44 pm

    A big jump into all kind of possibilities. Good for you taking that leap.

  3. Susan D
    Susan D on November 15, 2018 at 9:57 am

    Quitting the day job…. What could be more liberating than that? Congratulations.

  4. Sheri Levy
    Sheri Levy on November 15, 2018 at 8:06 am

    Wonderful, Judy. Writing takes so much time and energy. Good for you to make time for your special writing passion. I’ll be waiting to read your next novel.

  5. Gillian Hobbs
    Gillian Hobbs on November 15, 2018 at 7:38 am

    Exciting Judy. Good luck! Looking forward to reading where your journey takes you.

  6. Rose Kerr
    Rose Kerr on November 15, 2018 at 7:38 am

    Congrats Judy, freedom is amazing! Looking forward to reading more of your work.