During the next month three of my essays — long and flash — will be published. Ending 2024 this way is amazing and at the same time this is a tough season to promote oneself. I am hauling ornaments and pounds of butter and checking social media and doing edits and today just want to lie down with a hot chocolate. So here is an overview before I break for the eggnog and family and wrapping.

First, on Thanksgiving Day The Keepthings published my piece about a bear, a mother and a gift of love.

Secondly, Two Hawks Quarterly has just published “Twirling” an essay that is the blueprint of my memoir, my story that braids the experience of both being a caregiver and patient. Click on my writing name, Alexandra Dane, to follow the link.

And early 2025 The Sonora Review will release my flash nonfiction piece “The Leaving” which captures, in a split second, the moment my mother transitions in her illness. (I tell you this in case the subject is triggering).

A heady way to end the year. I still struggle with my (free) Substack account, mostly who needs so many outlets? But those in the know think this is essential. All of five people have read that account. To be assessed in 2025? I love WordPress but unless you hit the follow button it is hit or miss if you see my posts.

I am grateful to the editors, the students and the proof readers that put my words into the world. Memoir is a singular perspective, personal and often controversial. Transparency about illness, death, dying and living is very important to me. Equally important is recognizing the threads of hope that lie in the marrow of our bones. That is what I write about.

Cheers to hard work and ending strong in a year of 95 submissions. Grateful for all of it, and you out there that read my words.

May we find peace and love and hope in the next year, despite.

Alexandra Dane