I have been loving Bridget Olsen’s weekly newsletter, On the Pitch. I have learned so much about how to improve my pitching - but from an editor’s perspective.
Here’s something I figured out that has changed my pitching brain so much (and for the better).
As a writer who does struggle with pinpointing the angle at times, this concept has really helped with my pitching overnight. I now ask myself, “Is this a topic or angle?” and the answer tends to be obvious.
“CRAFT TIP - The most common issue I see in pitches isn’t voice or structure or clips. It’s this: writers pitch ideas instead of stories. They sound like this: “I’d love to write about how everyone is obsessed with X right now” or “I feel like this topic is really interesting.” Those are ideas. Editors buy stories.” - Bridget Olsen, Features Editor at All Recipes
Here’s a link to her first edition of On the Pitch.
If you live in Miami and helping out with the Miami Book Fair sounds like an absolute dream - then apply here !!
So this is actually more of a hack I want to share - I’ve been trying to get better at tracking opportunity deadlines - contests, grants, submission windows, etc.
Anyway, I’ve been trying something new and treating certain opportunities as writing prompts; here are two upcoming opportunities with TOPIC prompts…
Topic: Something in the Water
The prize for this Moonlit Path opportunity is only $50 - but the Dark Fiction topic puts me down so many roads… Deadline is June 25, 2026.
Topic: The Cheat
The H G Wells Short Story Competition: An international short story contest; they want short fiction of 1,500-5,000 words on this year’s theme, The Cheat (see FAQ). There’s a submission fee for those over 21 - “The competition for the over 21s costs £10 (£5 with student ID) to enter and has a prize of £500 (yes, lower than the Junior prize).” Under 21 prize is £1000. Deadline is July 7th.
Listening: Olivia Rodrigo’s new album - “you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love” - came out over the weekend, and I’m going to have my own personal listening party.
I listened to her singles “drop dead” and “the cure” all month; she has a real way with words - and her guitar.
Reading: I really loved this Womanly article by the founder Attia Taylor on films that depict black motherhood - an experience explored even less than motherhood itself; Black Mother is on my summer watch list. Here’s a NYT review.
Found: This is a Zine - called “We’re Cooked” - I stumbled upon this and think it’s just so cool; it’s on sale for $20 - but you can preview the Table of Contents.
Here’s how the creators describe it:
“We’re Cooked! explores how communities, cultural workers, organizers, artists, and institutions are developing more adaptive and collaborative ways of working together.
Using the cookbook as a conceptual framework, this publication gathers reflections, practices, provocations, and recommendations that emerged through relational research.”
Watching: I finally watched “This is Endometriosis,” which won a BAFTA this year for Best British Short Film 2026. It is a film by Georgie Wileman and Matt Houghton. Wileman shares her endometriosis story, while Houghton presents the reality of the disease in a way that is impossible to ignore.
Did you know that I have endometriosis? I found out last year, but I’ve (likely) had it my whole life. I am sharing my story here.
I’m noticing a pattern - and my articles prove it - I am just generally over the status quo - and analog is saving me:
I bought disposable cameras for my husband and I’s wedding anniversary vacation, and the experience rebirthed me.
I chucked my Google home into the trash during a random fit of rage - and our home life improved immediately.
I started baking weekly for therapeutic reasons mostly - and we started eating better overall.
Write on,
Ashley
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