17 Comments
User's avatar
User's avatar
Comment deleted
Apr 29, 2025
Comment deleted
madison michelle's avatar

so true unless u make like an anon account but those only go so far

User's avatar
Comment deleted
May 1, 2025
Comment deleted
madison michelle's avatar

oh def, espi anything in video that includes face + voice thats like my worst fear LOL

Elle Warren's avatar

V relatable, I loved this 💖

madison michelle's avatar

at least we're all in it together....! <3

alicia's avatar

loved all of this ,, so glad i wandered upon it

madison michelle's avatar

ahh, so glad u found it! thank u for reading <3

S. A. B. Marcie's avatar

Very cool post. I'm on the fringes of the alt lit scene at the moment, and my publisher has shown me just a bit of the other side of the industry. I think a lot of people who make it end up gate-keeping lit, so writers who would be deemed "good enough" end up languishing in obscurity for a lot longer than they should. The only way through this is to keep grinding and building up your resume and connections (even if you're shy and prefer anonymity, like I do) so that one day, if you get a chance to be noticed, you'll have a lot to show off. You pay upfront in this industry a lot of the time (unless you're blessed with great connections from the jump), and then things get easier. That said, when I or my editor sends emails to some of these big-name girl writers, they still mostly ignore us, so maybe the grind never ends unless you're at the very top. lol

madison michelle's avatar

oh unfortunately thats def how it is, locking in for life i guess hahah

Angella d'Avignon's avatar

i know two of those literary it girls and they have access to wealth and are culturally connected. oh and they're white! it's coveted but for many its unattainable. i'd rather make good work than have the evil eye on me! also, no one stops to question whether the PR or the work itself was any good...

madison michelle's avatar

exactly! thats my whole issue w this thing. it feels like a lot of mediocre writing is getting praised while ignoring solid criticism which doesnt allow for any growth in the work

Angella d'Avignon's avatar

it's actually not about writing at all lol

Bronwyn's avatar

You're a great writer. I really love how you broke this down (honest and nuanced and relatable).

madison michelle's avatar

ur so sweet, thats all i ever hope to be! thank u! <3

Pearl🦢's avatar

this is so well articulated! really feel you on all of this. i long to be a literary it girl, but it is also fundamentally opposed to the reasons i began writing in the first place.

madison michelle's avatar

put a lot of work into it so tysm!!! n for reading!!! i truly appreciate it!!! i feel da same n i think thats why im starting to rethink what type of writing career i want

garden things's avatar

this is AMAZING. not to sound like i ignored everything you just said but do u live in new york ….cause then we should get coffee…. this was a smart and invigorating essay!!! subscribed

madison michelle's avatar

omg idk how i missed this…. but ur so sweet n i do live in nyc!!