When Amara Strande was just 16, a 15-pound tumor was found embedded in her liver. Nearly the size of a volleyball. She was one of many students at Tartan High School in Oakdale who got cancer. Students joked about the water fountains, saying, “Don’t drink the 3M cancer water.” 🧵

“We will beat the Ukrainian out of you,” a Russian interrogator told a woman I spoke to in Ukraine, before he tortured her. That seems to be Putin’s strategy, but it's failing in Ukraine. I worry that we in the West are made of weaker stuff. My column: nytimes.com/2022/12/14/opi…

I created a form I give prospective ghostwriting clients before I agree to a call. They have to answer 8-10 Qs about project scope, existing materials, their experience working with a writer, etc. Some never return it. Others realize they need to think more before they can talk.

Sadly none of the predictions touch on what myriad journalists laid off this year should do to stay in the field, including working freelance, which industry pubs seem to believe doesn't exist as a legitimate career move unless you're writing for the New Yorker, Atlantic, etc.

Our new report reveals the massive funding disparity between immigration & labor standards enforcement. Based on funding, U.S. federal law enforcement's top priority is to detain, deport, & prosecute migrants. Workplace safety is an afterthought. epi.org/publication/im…

"We need to teach people to write because we need to teach people to think" and AI tools can help. More great writing advice from Josh Bernoff #freelance #writingadvice withoutbullshit.com/blog/when-ai-t…

Today, a ghostwriting client described my method of getting authors to sign off on projects as ABC - Always Be Closing. I'll take it. #writinglife

Even CNN says Tucci's food lovers' tour through Italy is one the their most successful original programs. So explain to me again why the powers that be at the network are canceling it? hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/cnn…

I'm pretty sure my dad the former mechanical engineer wore these glasses for the entirety of the 1960s.

Journalists who cover Elon Musk have been suspended on Twitter tonight: @Donie O'Sullivan from CNN, Aaron Rupar and the Washington Post's Drew Harwell. Rupar tells me he has "no idea" why it happened.

Ekin Musk is suspending accounts of journalists who cover him. So much for free speech.

Elon Musk suspending the Twitter accounts of journalists who cover him is the push I needed to move elsewhere, at least for now. Find me on Post.News @michellerafter or LI under Michelle Rafter.

I'm chairing the ASJA virtual conference June 13-15. This year's theme: Why Writers Must Reconsider What We Do and How We Do It. Find out more: #ASJAVirtualConference ASJA asja.org/asja-virtual-c…

I'm coming out of Twitter hibernation to plug the #ASJACon virtual annual conference June 13-15 that I'm chairing and been working on like a dog for months! Here are 10 reasons why you NEED to be there. #freelancewriting #freelancechat #writingtips asja.org/ten-reasons-to…

I've poured my ❤️and soul into planning ASJA writers conference June 13-15. That's next week! 50+ sessions 100+ speakers Zoom Events platform Session recordings (exc. snack chats) Open to nonmembers & members Reg closes today @ 11:59 pm ET. #JustDoIt asja.org/events-overvie…

I'm coming out of hibernation to let #ghostwriters know you've got 16 days to enter your book collaboration in the first ever Andy Awards, cosponsored by ASJA and Gotham Ghostwriters. Awards will be given in 3 categories & announced in January 2024. More: asja.org/andy-awards-su…

It's hard to believe that in 2024 Hertz.com doesn't have online chat help support for Gold Plus Rewards member. To get a simple question about my existing customer profile answered, I have to fill out a form & wait 3-5 business day? #fail