See all our 13 Days of A+ Content!

This is one of a storied line of entries into the Editor’s Notes series we have for A+. In this series, the Autostraddle Editor’s Notes let you, our dear members, into the behind-the-scenes of how series come together.

Currently, I am writing this late Friday afternoon in the midst of this winter storm, my solar-powered lantern charging in the last shreds of sunlight at my window, waiting for what is sure to be a long night because it is like -2 degrees Fahrenheit here and the power keeps flickering on and off, but hey, it wouldn’t be a holiday in Pittsburgh without a major power outage!

So, originally, on this this celebration of Saturnalia, this return-of-longer-days festival, this important pagan holigay, I was going to gift you with the launch of the A+ Personals section but ahahahaha we (Autostraddle senior staff) are all drowning and it is still cooking and is not quiiite ready and oh shoot the power just went out again. I. Can’t. Even. Print. Labels. To. Mail. Fundraiser. Perks. Because.The. Power. Keeps. Going. Out.

Okay, but truth be told, I am very excited about this (the personals column, not the extremely trying and dangerous weather). Naturally, we are tweaking and vetting this project and making sure that we dot our I’s and cross our T’s before putting it out into the world, so it is not launching as I hoped it would on December the 25th, but I expect it will in the next several weeks. We’re going to COLLECT submissions throughout January and officially PUBLISH the first iteration in February, because, apparently, we have all collectively decided the most miserable month of the year is also the Month of Romance. Listen, I don’t make the rules.

Everything about this situation relates to something that I think you know already, but is also one of the most vulnerable details I can reveal about the behind-the-scenes of Autostraddle. This job moves so fast for all of us that it is a lot like running on a treadmill. While I have done my fair share of long distance running, I find running on treadmills to be so much more precarious. They keep GOING even if you stop. They are too short. They will rip your skin off if you fall or slam you into walls. They are frightening machines, okay? I have like, Stephen King’s fear of cars or laundry equipment, but for treadmills. And working here can feel like constantly trying to navigate one of them, to keep running forward, unsure whether you’re getting anywhere even though it’s clearly a lot of work — you’re sweating and panting and the days go by, and you are trying to do it even if the lights are flashing on and off like you have a poltergeist but it is actually just a rust belt power grid. But what are you doing, really, besides working super fucking hard to maintain something that is actually very difficult to sustain?

But, at the end of the day, I wouldn’t trade being here, and spending time with you for any other job. I seriously love you all and you make my day every fuckin’ day. So, the A+ Discord is open today and through tomorrow when it will close at 12pm PST. I hope that we can hang out there, and that if you haven’t hopped on, that you’ll take a moment to meet some of your fellow members. And we are gonna update you on the personals situation as soon as it’s done cooking.

Take care and take care of someone else, too, if you can. Sending you so much love, wherever you are in the world, and especially if you’re weathering some serious WEATHER right now.

Day 13!!! (Also, when you see it, you can’t unsee it.)

Before you go! Autostraddle runs on the reader support of our AF+ Members. If this article meant something to you today — if it informed you or made you smile or feel seen, will you consider joining AF and supporting the people who make this queer media site possible?

Join AF+!