My fave memory is of going to a workshop at my first A-Camp (in 2017, that I only got to go to because of a Campership) about how to pitch online publications. I’m not exaggerating when I say that that workshop literally changed my life.

I majored in writing in undergrad but never really did anything specific with it (besides becoming an English teacher because I love being a cliche). After the workshop, though, I pitched Autostraddle, then wrote for Autostraddle, then became staff at Autostraddle and A-Camp. I leveraged that into other writing gigs, used my clips on Autostraddle’s website to build my portfolio, and essentially survived for two very difficult years in between careers by building a life freelancing, as a result of what I learned from my Autostraddle experience.

I eventually leveraged that freelancing into a real job, and I am now full-time employed and doing well. I think getting that Campership, and going to that workshop was like, hugely important to the fact that I am, like, alive right now? Writing online didn’t turn into the career I thought it would, but that push in a certain direction made the life I have now seem possible. And it is! I’m alive, and thriving. Thanks y’all :) <3

—Abeni Jones