003. new news
a new course, panel, chapters and more
pre-fall always feels like the busiest season. we feel refreshed from relaxing all summer, yet driven and maybe fearful of the colder, darker, shorter days ahead. in turn, everything feels like it has to be done now now now.
i’m currently sending this newsletter from the united nations general assembly and climate week in new york city. this is undoubtedly my favorite part of my job and my favorite week of the year because it’s filled with seeing so many faces i only get to see through tiny computer screens any other time of the year. it’s also the week that i feel as though i’m able to personally and professional thrive, together — the week planned almost to a t and all i have to do is be present, be myself, and talk about the things i love and am good at.
something else major happened this month: i was awarded the inaugural professor role at nyu to write the syllabus for and teach the university’s first climate communications course. this exact move has been over ten years in the making. a decade of teaching at nyu, six busy years of working through the stickiness of a career pivot, and putting my life on pause to get a master’s in climate science later, one of my dreams has become a reality. i will share more details as this course becomes available, but for now, i have to begin laying the foundation.
as the season’s wave of busyness rises and falls with the changing temperatures, i’m taking solace in the newfound thought that maybe i am someone who operates best when i have quiet time to plan, an inordinate amount of time to tinker, all so i can be present and focused on the one thing in front of me when the opportunity arises. contrary to today’s instant gratification-meets-always-on-hustle culture, no? maybe there is power in stillness after-all.
and, well, why you all signed up for this newsletter in the first place—book updates!:
my second book: when i talk to people about writing books and the world of publishing, they’re amazed at how long publishing timelines are. my first book took five years to write and is now in the production process, which will be two years total. my second book, despite being submitted august, is still very much under review. given everything else going on this month, this is an update i’m thankful to share.
merch update: thank you to everyone who filled out the merch survey last month (and the souls who shared the kindest words of support, i will never get over it <3). it sounds like coffee mugs, tshirts/sweatshirts, and candles are what you want, so i’m beginning to do the research on how to bring those to life.
slowing: three years ago my long time tumblr-turned-irl friend rachel schwartzmann interviewed me for her debut book about how to reclaim time and proactively slow down. well, that book is now available and i’m so honored to be featured on three pages within (177-179 if you care to read).
yell fire: more recently i contributed a full chapter to another friend’s forthcoming book on climate communications. that is very much still in the editing phase, but you can preview part of the chapter here.
are you ready to put it all down to drop the rope to sink in, dig your heels in deep to be who you need to be to say goodbye to who you no longer are all for the sake of who you want to become and the vision you see are you ready?
see you next month,
nicole