Frequently Asked Questions

Will you speak for my organization or event?

Probably yes, depending! Please see this page for more about hiring me to speak.

If our organization etc. is a nonprofit, will you speak for free?

Maybe! Please reach out to discuss.

Will you edit my [book/essay/etc.]?

I offer nonfiction manuscript consultations via The Workroom. See this page to learn more about working with me in this way.

What’s a cheaper way to get your feedback on my written work?

I do teach occasional classes, also via The Workroom (like this one on pitching, taking place over two Saturdays this fall).

Will you advise our news organization as we update our standards and practices/style guide regarding reporting on trans people and/or mental health-related topics?

Yes! Please reach out.

Will you work with our (mental) health practice related to how to best work with trans patients, for example?

Probably yes! I do offer consulting to (mental) health professionals. Please reach out to discuss. Note I offer a free fifteen minutes to such potential inquiries.

I am someone trying to contact the media about some story I want covered (that I am related to or not); will you help?

I’d first encourage you to familiarize yourself with my work if you haven’t already, for example via these Starter Packs. But I’d caution it’s extremely unlikely I’ll cover whatever you wish to alert me about, even if it’s my beat and I do want to. This is because I’m usually at capacity when it comes to my own bandwidth, stories-wise. I’m unaffiliated with any outlet / freelance, meaning I have to sell whatever pieces one-by-one. I mostly write features and longer essays, so my stories are few and far between. In sum you can try writing me but I wouldn’t get your hopes up.

I’m a publicist or someone else trying to get media attention regarding our latest [new project/release/research, etc.]. Can I send you more?

Candidly I get so many of these sorts of inquiries and I tend to ignore them all. I am unaffiliated with any outlet and don’t publish book reviews on my own newsletter.

Will you review or blurb my book?

Probably not, being candid! But you can contact me this way to say more about the project if you really like. If I am interested in reading more, I will probably ask to be sent a physical copy. But again I’m unaffiliated and don’t publish reviews myself. The Lit Hub LGBTQ reviews project was a one-off that I guest co-edited (it already published).

Will you appear on my podcast?

Perhaps! Feel free to write me asking.

Will you appear on my podcast [about a Harry Potter movie]?

I boycott all things HP and you should too! (Yes this is a real question I’ve gotten.)

ICYMI: here’s my essay reckoning with being a trans, former fan of the series.

Can I ask you for advice about something else? Can I ‘pick your brain’?

The best / only way to consult with me (besides everything else I’ve mentioned): I have an occasional advice column on my newsletter, called Dear Sandy. You’re encouraged to write in if you want to ask me something for me to publicly answer, potentially.

(Otherwise probably no, and I find the phrase ‘pick your brain’ creepy LOL …)

I’m pitching myself writing some piece for you[r newsletter or something]; do you accept submissions?

I do not, no.

Will you write for our [unpaid] project / ‘just the exposure’?

No thanks!

Will you promote [our thing] on your social media / newsletter?

Probably not!