This year I’m proud to have written about barista-led activism, LGBTQ+ topics, specialty coffee, and Seattle issues. I love my niches, but writing about subjects I’m less familiar with can lead to some of my favorite articles.
One of my favorite early stories and interviews was with Jenn Callender of Seattle’s La Marzocco Cafe. I interviewed her for an article in Barista Magazine about cafes and social media, and Callender was kind and helpful, even offering vital tips for my own burgeoning social media marketing business.
Other interviews I especially enjoyed were with Abby Posner, a multi-instrumentalist and singer with whom I shared a similar background of growing up some stripe of LGBTQ+ in the 90s, and coffee roaster Rob Rodriguez, whose vulnerability was a gift.
A difficult piece for me was writing about Kim Petras. While I am here for trans folks getting paid and celebrated for their work, her choice to continue working with Dr. Luke was something I couldn’t support, but conversely—I get it.
Two articles I am most proud of are Women, Queers, and Trans Folks Taking Over Skate Culture, and Guayaba Shapeshifts Through An Orphean Nightmare In Fantasmagoria. It was heart-warming to write about Skate Like A Girl’s inclusive classes and community, and attempting to describe Guayaba’s terrifying, twisted, and otherworldy opus was an honor.
In 2020, I’m going to be more ambitious than ever with my submissions.
Here’s to challenging my own abilities, and growing as a writer.