Hi Cece, I love your writing so so much and even though I’m not in anyway doing something related to law, I genuinely love learning about it from your perspective!! And I just know you have it in you to make a comeback!! We believe in you!!!
Joining the chorus here! Long-time follower (first-time commenter) who really enjoys your writing style, knowledgeable insights, and social media content (in no particular order)! I also work as a freelance editor so am somewhat familiar with the vicissitude of the publishing industry, and all I can say is that 1. I (and I'm sure many other people) would love to buy your book (all of the drafts you've discussed sounded fascinating); 2. So much of publishing is margins, capitalism, and marketability, and so much of that is changeable, debatable (in terms of validity), and simply subjective. (Apologies, I'm writing this at 1.30 am). Also, obviously, I don't know a lot about the behind-the-scenes, but it's obviously a really strange time politically and in the tech and legal worlds so I don't know whether that could have factored in. My point: it's them, not you, and we (many friendly strangers on the internet) are here for you. Sending you the best of luck!
Hi Cece, I've been a long time unpaid subscriber and I've followed your online journey since your DIML days. I found a lot of parallels between your professional life as a lawyer and mine as an architect. During those days, I, too, was in the middle of a career transition. I found comfort in your words as I started following you here on Substack. Seeing you pursue a creative endeavor outside of your corporate life was invigorating to me. I have always dreamed of doing something similar, but always felt like I couldn’t break free from the golden handcuffs of my professional career. You encouraged me to see past that.
I’m sorry to hear about your book deal. Please know that your words and your work have inspired me a lot (and I’m sure others, as well), and the best way I can make that known is to (stop being a lurker! and finally) pledge a subscription and support your work. Thank you, and I look forward to what’s ahead of you!
Thank you for your courage in sharing your story. I also wanted to recommend JoJo's memoir, Over the Influence. I see a lot in common in her story with yours; many parallels between the music industry and the publishing industry. Jojo couldn't release music for 10 years and was dealing with with many new record company execs & their ever changing visions for what kind of person they wanted her to be. I also recommend listening to her song Porcelain Reimagined.
Hi Cece, I just want to say that you are one of the most courageous people I have followed on the internet. Publishing companies often have a very prescriptive view of what they want authors to write and the fact that you chose not to "give in to that" and stay true to yourself and your writing actually means the last three years were anything but a waste. I sure there are ways that you can perhaps publish independently.
Cece — the below metaphor is truly awful writing. What does it even mean?
I was overcome with sticky, viscous shame, the sensation of trickling period blood. It seeped into my spinal fluid, staining my stem cells, imprinting the subsequent specialized cells making up my lips, fingernails, toes.
I just wanted to thank you for such eloquence, insight, and vulnerability in this tough moment. I've loved reading your writing since I started following your journey, and still very much care about what you have to say.
"I felt like someone shoved salt in the valley between my eyes—the large, rough flakes sown onto pavement when it snows, not delicate tinsels of table salt" 💔
Thank you for sharing your experience—and I am so sorry it played out this way. I am confident your book is what it should be and that you will still publish and it will be widely read!
Hey, Cece. I'm a new follower, and I want you to know that I've never been so touched. You've got this seems so not enough. But, you have, and I can't wait until I'm able to read your "orphan book".
What do you think about the news that Harvard is rejecting Trump's demands to secure federal funding? I won't lie, I'm surprised I really thought they would cave and accept his demands. I'm impressed at the sheer chutzpah of it all and I hope it inspires other institutions and people to do the same. They've earned my respect if that's even possible especially after Columbia acquiesced to Trump. Faith restored in humanity or whatevs.🤭🤭🤭🕊️🕊️🕊️
Cece, that is such a pile of crap! Thank you for sharing your story with us. Books get orphaned so often in publishing, and authors are always the ones who suffer most. I’m sure you’re going to find a home that your book truly deserves. Sending you hugs!
This was such an amazing thing to watch. I so admire how you are talking about this stickiness AS you are still in it. I myself try to do that online and lord is it hard. Even just watching this video from you is teaching me so much about how to just SIT in it. Thank you for your generosity in sharing this with you❤️
As a fellow overachieving asian girl with generalized anxiety, let me say this first: I feel you girl. Secondly, girl breathe. Because who are we without gold stars, without acolytes, proving our worth. But Cece, only we know who we are, before parents or peers determined our value, we are intrinsically valuable, just for being human. You have accomplished so much in your life, Harvard grad, biglaw, lecturer, started your law firm, went viral on tiktok, got a book deal, but I dont need to tell you that, you have to believe it in yourself. Whatever you do now, you will do well as you always do, you dont need to “prove your worth” anymore, you just need to find the joy and love in yourself. Hope you all the best! This was a great read ❤️
I've been a long time silent reader (and signed up to substack only to read your posts). Throughout these past years, I have seen that you're always your harshest critic, but I wanted to let you know that you've inspired many of us with your courage and honesty, which is something that's so incredibly rare in the legal industry.
Hi Cece, I love your writing so so much and even though I’m not in anyway doing something related to law, I genuinely love learning about it from your perspective!! And I just know you have it in you to make a comeback!! We believe in you!!!
Ahh that makes me so happy to hear, Sneha! Thank you for your support--and yes, we'll make a comeback!! 🩷
Hi Cece,
Joining the chorus here! Long-time follower (first-time commenter) who really enjoys your writing style, knowledgeable insights, and social media content (in no particular order)! I also work as a freelance editor so am somewhat familiar with the vicissitude of the publishing industry, and all I can say is that 1. I (and I'm sure many other people) would love to buy your book (all of the drafts you've discussed sounded fascinating); 2. So much of publishing is margins, capitalism, and marketability, and so much of that is changeable, debatable (in terms of validity), and simply subjective. (Apologies, I'm writing this at 1.30 am). Also, obviously, I don't know a lot about the behind-the-scenes, but it's obviously a really strange time politically and in the tech and legal worlds so I don't know whether that could have factored in. My point: it's them, not you, and we (many friendly strangers on the internet) are here for you. Sending you the best of luck!
Hi Cece, I've been a long time unpaid subscriber and I've followed your online journey since your DIML days. I found a lot of parallels between your professional life as a lawyer and mine as an architect. During those days, I, too, was in the middle of a career transition. I found comfort in your words as I started following you here on Substack. Seeing you pursue a creative endeavor outside of your corporate life was invigorating to me. I have always dreamed of doing something similar, but always felt like I couldn’t break free from the golden handcuffs of my professional career. You encouraged me to see past that.
I’m sorry to hear about your book deal. Please know that your words and your work have inspired me a lot (and I’m sure others, as well), and the best way I can make that known is to (stop being a lurker! and finally) pledge a subscription and support your work. Thank you, and I look forward to what’s ahead of you!
Thank you for your courage in sharing your story. I also wanted to recommend JoJo's memoir, Over the Influence. I see a lot in common in her story with yours; many parallels between the music industry and the publishing industry. Jojo couldn't release music for 10 years and was dealing with with many new record company execs & their ever changing visions for what kind of person they wanted her to be. I also recommend listening to her song Porcelain Reimagined.
Hi Cece, I just want to say that you are one of the most courageous people I have followed on the internet. Publishing companies often have a very prescriptive view of what they want authors to write and the fact that you chose not to "give in to that" and stay true to yourself and your writing actually means the last three years were anything but a waste. I sure there are ways that you can perhaps publish independently.
Cece — the below metaphor is truly awful writing. What does it even mean?
I was overcome with sticky, viscous shame, the sensation of trickling period blood. It seeped into my spinal fluid, staining my stem cells, imprinting the subsequent specialized cells making up my lips, fingernails, toes.
It’s a metaphor that those who menstruate will understand!
Thank you for sharing. It’s a tough story, and it sounds like a classic “it’s not you it’s them.” Chin up. Keep fighting.
I just wanted to thank you for such eloquence, insight, and vulnerability in this tough moment. I've loved reading your writing since I started following your journey, and still very much care about what you have to say.
"I felt like someone shoved salt in the valley between my eyes—the large, rough flakes sown onto pavement when it snows, not delicate tinsels of table salt" 💔
Thank you for sharing your experience—and I am so sorry it played out this way. I am confident your book is what it should be and that you will still publish and it will be widely read!
Hey, Cece. I'm a new follower, and I want you to know that I've never been so touched. You've got this seems so not enough. But, you have, and I can't wait until I'm able to read your "orphan book".
Me🤗too! ;))
What do you think about the news that Harvard is rejecting Trump's demands to secure federal funding? I won't lie, I'm surprised I really thought they would cave and accept his demands. I'm impressed at the sheer chutzpah of it all and I hope it inspires other institutions and people to do the same. They've earned my respect if that's even possible especially after Columbia acquiesced to Trump. Faith restored in humanity or whatevs.🤭🤭🤭🕊️🕊️🕊️
I was also surprised but then really proud!! I rarely say this (Yale forever, Harvard sucks) but GO HARVARD!!
Hurray🤗😘🤪😇
Exactly…
Cece, that is such a pile of crap! Thank you for sharing your story with us. Books get orphaned so often in publishing, and authors are always the ones who suffer most. I’m sure you’re going to find a home that your book truly deserves. Sending you hugs!
So kind and empathetic😎🥰🥴
This was such an amazing thing to watch. I so admire how you are talking about this stickiness AS you are still in it. I myself try to do that online and lord is it hard. Even just watching this video from you is teaching me so much about how to just SIT in it. Thank you for your generosity in sharing this with you❤️
🤓😎🤩🥳
Hi Cece,
As a fellow overachieving asian girl with generalized anxiety, let me say this first: I feel you girl. Secondly, girl breathe. Because who are we without gold stars, without acolytes, proving our worth. But Cece, only we know who we are, before parents or peers determined our value, we are intrinsically valuable, just for being human. You have accomplished so much in your life, Harvard grad, biglaw, lecturer, started your law firm, went viral on tiktok, got a book deal, but I dont need to tell you that, you have to believe it in yourself. Whatever you do now, you will do well as you always do, you dont need to “prove your worth” anymore, you just need to find the joy and love in yourself. Hope you all the best! This was a great read ❤️
I've been a long time silent reader (and signed up to substack only to read your posts). Throughout these past years, I have seen that you're always your harshest critic, but I wanted to let you know that you've inspired many of us with your courage and honesty, which is something that's so incredibly rare in the legal industry.