43 Comments

I'm late to commenting on the transformation of your substack, Anne, but as someone about to embark on a life-changing adventure, I'm so happy about participating on this community. I hope to meet so many who are also reading, sharing, and commenting--at least virtually! We went through grad school and the job market together, so even though we haven't see each other in YEARS, I still feel that Purdue AMST American Women Writers pull when I get a notification in my email about a new substack post!

I'll have more details later, but after 25 years as a professor (19 of them with tenure), I'm leaving. Academia has worn me out. I'm burnt out and uncertain, and frankly, lost. I'm hoping that this community (as well as a few others I'm exploring) will provide the encouragement, support, and nurturing I need. And I'm looking forward to providing the same to others!

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Feb 27Liked by Anne Boyd Rioux

This is wonderful Anne. I love every part and very much look forward to the future of the space with you and other women. Thank you for listening to yourself, being brave, and creating it!

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Feb 27Liked by Anne Boyd Rioux

Reading this is almost like looking into a mirror, Anne, and I want to send you all the encouragement I can! I was also in academia and teaching courses on women writers and artists with the express intent to inspire women to create their own work by being emboldened by writers and artists of the past. Like you, I've now left academia to write and I am self-publishing a novel about the women surrealists late this year. My Substack is all about the women surrealists too. So far, I have been offering very weird takes on their work by writing as the surrealist works themselves or doing other equally off-beat things such as stepping inside a Leonora Carrington painting. I've loved reading your pieces on Muriel Spark and others and I'm really glad that your focus is stronger and clearer. Good luck!

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Feb 27Liked by Anne Boyd Rioux

Love the new name and shift in focus, Anne.

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These changes sound wonderful! Thank you 😊

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Feb 25Liked by Anne Boyd Rioux

I applaud the shift in your letter. And the name is perfect! I look forward to reading every word.

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Feb 24Liked by Anne Boyd Rioux

Congratulations! I love the new name--"audacious" is such a wonderful word.

And I'm really looking forward to the focus on community. I've likely told you about my growing curiosity about how my favorite writers--many of whom are traditionally seen as loners--actually created their work within strong networks of fellow artists. And I've also realized that my interest in studying such communities stems quite a bit from my own desire for such community.

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Feb 24Liked by Anne Boyd Rioux

Love the new name!!

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Feb 24Liked by Anne Boyd Rioux

I love what you are creating and am inspired by all of your travels and seeking for a different way to live. Brava! 💜

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Love it! Very much looking forward to the community! ❣️

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Feb 24Liked by Anne Boyd Rioux

Long live audacious women!! And I second your cheers for BIO! xo

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Love the new title and focus, and look forward to the next one! I also love that these newsletters can evolve right along with us….

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Feb 24Liked by Anne Boyd Rioux

all sounds awesome : )

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Feb 24Liked by Anne Boyd Rioux

Found my way to your newsletter via a mutual friend, Katie Downes. Finished my PhD on women writers recently and dreaming about doing more public-facing writing and maybe one day a biography. One of the best things I got from my degree is a whole list of women writers I haven’t even read yet! Would love to be part of this community you’re building—thank you so much for sharing!

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Feb 24Liked by Anne Boyd Rioux

This transition sounds wonderful! Looking forward to it.

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Feb 24Liked by Anne Boyd Rioux

Love this, Anne! It feels like a natural, authentic shift for you to step into this latest version of your creative work. I look forward to participating/following along.

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