Sally, I love how you thread together the red carpet and the garden stakes. What a vivid reminder that we’re all juggling many selves!
As someone navigating both the literary and literal kitchen while raising a family, it’s grounding to hear an agent speak with such transparency and warmth about this industry and its shifting pulse.
It’s heartening to come across a voice that holds space for grit, grace, and everything in between. Now we see the whole Sally: heels, hardware store, and all.
Sanaa thank you for seeing me and being here! I don’t know anyone who is just one thing and often it feels important to create a space that we can show up as our messy selves.
Also, I really missed the mark in the title of this post. It should have been “heels + hardware”!!!
Your writing reminded me of words that echo in my own head when I grapple with which version of myself I am presenting as, “¿por qué no los dos?”
It’s taken a long time to reckon that who I am is also a composite of who people think I am, and that they may just not see the whole picture yet. I suppose it’s giving myself an allowance for presenting myself differently in different settings, but welcoming the composite me that is at the root of it all.
Excellent points like these are always worth acknowledging! Thank you for sharing them, your list shows what an exciting time it is in the industry right now.
I haven’t worn heels since I was maybe 17. I did briefly for my wedding, only to quickly swap them for my Tom’s (white and with lace for the occasion).
I’d be interested in learning more about this “Global, diverse, and marginalized voices are the majority.”
In terms of the authors and diverse voices, I’d encourage you to check out the list of media nominees and winners. There’s far more BIPOC authors this year (and in the past few years). Also a broad general assessment, more books that have historically been passed up by publishers for being “too niche” are finally the majority of what’s up for awards and that’s a relief to see.
Case in point, Salvisoul. That book didn’t win but represents what I’m seeing more and more of. It’s not all about bringing home the win since it will be a book that is trailblazing.
I feel like each one of these observations could be its own newsletter topic! Thank you for bringing us to the Awards in spirit, if not in person.
Oh yea, there’s a few in here I could have expanded on a lot more!
Thanks for re-posting and sharing the insights.
completely agree with Jenna! I'd love to know more about the successful "rogue guerrilla marketing" tactics.
P.S. love your dress, Sally :)
Check out this post about how The McAtlas was promoted! https://open.substack.com/pub/newdenizen/p/2025-james-beard-awards-recap?r=6lue7&utm_medium=ios
Amazing, thank you!! Great example.
Sally, I love how you thread together the red carpet and the garden stakes. What a vivid reminder that we’re all juggling many selves!
As someone navigating both the literary and literal kitchen while raising a family, it’s grounding to hear an agent speak with such transparency and warmth about this industry and its shifting pulse.
It’s heartening to come across a voice that holds space for grit, grace, and everything in between. Now we see the whole Sally: heels, hardware store, and all.
Thank you for that. 💛🌴
Sanaa thank you for seeing me and being here! I don’t know anyone who is just one thing and often it feels important to create a space that we can show up as our messy selves.
Also, I really missed the mark in the title of this post. It should have been “heels + hardware”!!!
Haha yes, Heels + Hardware really does say it all!
Love these insights about the state of the industry. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for reading!
Such a feast of good things in this newsletter! Thanks for sharing and both your dresses are fabulous!
"I am also vacuuming sun-faded crunched-to-dust goldfish out of my backseat" Hey Sally just give the dog five minutes : )
Fair.
Loved this post and both your dresses, Sally! And big ol' co-sign on all of your insights.
Your writing reminded me of words that echo in my own head when I grapple with which version of myself I am presenting as, “¿por qué no los dos?”
It’s taken a long time to reckon that who I am is also a composite of who people think I am, and that they may just not see the whole picture yet. I suppose it’s giving myself an allowance for presenting myself differently in different settings, but welcoming the composite me that is at the root of it all.
You get it.
Excellent points like these are always worth acknowledging! Thank you for sharing them, your list shows what an exciting time it is in the industry right now.
It's so nice to see the growth of the food industry. Also, heels aren't worth the discomfort! Did you wear sandals instead?
Yea I have super comfy gold sandals that are my go to!
So thrilled Balkan cuisine and @balkankitchen took home a win!
I haven’t worn heels since I was maybe 17. I did briefly for my wedding, only to quickly swap them for my Tom’s (white and with lace for the occasion).
I’d be interested in learning more about this “Global, diverse, and marginalized voices are the majority.”
Oh I love those Tom’s, I know them well!
In terms of the authors and diverse voices, I’d encourage you to check out the list of media nominees and winners. There’s far more BIPOC authors this year (and in the past few years). Also a broad general assessment, more books that have historically been passed up by publishers for being “too niche” are finally the majority of what’s up for awards and that’s a relief to see.
Case in point, Salvisoul. That book didn’t win but represents what I’m seeing more and more of. It’s not all about bringing home the win since it will be a book that is trailblazing.
I like that! I’ll go take a look at the list of nominees and winners.
Loved hearing more about the awards!
A succinct and superlative summary. And what's that about illustrated covers? ;)
Just a lil trend I noticed that’s here to stay! 😉
Glam Sally is gorgeous, though the shot on the Rail Trail is my favorite Sally! Yay for both and!
Both and!! 💕💕
So much here, Sally. You captured the glamour and the grit — two things can be true at once. Was so great to see you!
That dress! Perfection