I wrote a book
Way back before *waves hand around* in the year of our lord 2019, I wrote a book.
I wrote a book because a publisher said they believed in my ability to write an impactful book, even though I had the tiniest of platforms. (954 followers on instagram, if I remember correctly.) I submitted my manuscript right on time after writing for 9 months. Exactly 3 months after that, during the editing process, the publisher cancelled my contract, saying my manuscript was "orphaned." (totes sus)
I spent the next 5 years trying to get my book picked up by another publisher. I didn't. Here is just some of the feedback I received from the commissioning editors at the publishing houses.
"Thank you again for sending this project my way. I have been watching sex positive books working well (like SEX TALKS and COME TOGETHER) and have tried to buy a few of them, so I do think there is an audience here. That said, I wanted to see Dr. Holbrook in front of a slightly larger audience knowing that this space is getting a bit more crowded. I know of a few more coming out in the next year, so it is competitive. So I will step aside though I wish you the best of luck in finding the right partner, and thank you again for thinking of me."
"I really wanted to be able to offer on this, and when I shared it with our Ed Board, the team was impressed by the writing. However, the size of her platform was still a problem for our team, so I am sorry to have to pass."
So I focused on growing my platform. I made it to 20k on Instagram. Still small, but for a sex ed platform that gets shadow banned, and content that people are hesitant to share, I felt this was a win.
Still, crickets from traditional publishing. In Oct 2024, my literary agent decided it was time to quit trying. I was sad. With a capital S. And frustrated. With a capital F. I simply wanted to share helpful information I've learned from a decade of talking to people about their sex life. I know I wouldn't make money selling books. My goal was just to have an accessible resource about sex after purity culture in the cannon of work about sex.
I let myself be sad and mad. Then I put my big girl panties on and contacted a professional publishing company recommended by a friend. Professional publishing companies help you self-publish your book with all the help of a traditional publisher (editing, graphic design, marketing etc.) but because you just pay them up front, you get all of the royalties off of the book. In traditional publishing, you (typically) get paid an advance to write the book, but retain very little of the royalties of the books sold.
That brings us to today. I'm in the second round of edits on my manuscript. I've fallen in love with it again, updated many of my viewpoints AND made it spicier. BECAUSE I'M WRITING IT FOR ME AND YOU, NOT A PUBLISHER.
I truly think this is what was meant to be. I'm so glad to have agency over my thoughts, theories and words. Maybe it will sell great. Maybe only my mom will buy it. Either way, I get to own every damn word. And this makes me feel powerful, with a capital P.
I want to encourage you not to give up. Your dream, your plans, your thing. It might not look like you originally thought it would. But what if it's better? What if it works out? Don't confuse slow progress with no progress. You can do it. I'm proof. Keep. Going.
Stay tuned! Book Baby is due this summer!
Love you more than you know,
Celeste
Don't think pleasure is important right now? Think again!
Pursuing pleasure can play a vital role in sustaining energy, hope, and resilience in social justice work, which is often emotionally and physically demanding. Here’s how pleasure can support and strengthen a commitment to justice:
1. Building Resilience: Social justice work can lead to burnout, compassion fatigue, and even despair, especially when change seems slow. Engaging in pleasurable activities rejuvenates the spirit, building resilience and fortifying the energy needed to continue working for justice.
2. Creating Joyful, Sustainable Movements: Justice work grounded in pleasure is more sustainable over the long term. Many movements thrive when people find joy in community, connection, and shared activities that are energizing and affirming. Celebrating small wins, savoring collective achievements, and enjoying moments of connection can help activists stay motivated and engaged.
3. Reclaiming Humanity and Worth: Marginalized communities have often been deprived of joy and pleasure due to oppression. By embracing pleasure as a radical act, people assert their worth, their right to happiness, and their full humanity. It’s a way of saying, “I am worthy of joy, beauty, and rest,” which directly counters the dehumanization that oppression often brings.
4. Modeling a Vision of a Just World: Social justice isn't just about dismantling harm; it's about building a world where everyone can experience peace, joy, and well-being. Pursuing pleasure models the kind of world we want to create—a world that includes not only safety and equity but also vibrancy, laughter, and fulfillment.
5. Strengthening Relationships and Solidarity: Pleasure can foster deep connections between people, and these connections are the backbone of solidarity. When people come together to share joy and pleasure, they build trust, mutual care, and empathy, which strengthens the foundation for collective action and support.
Incorporating pleasure into justice work doesn’t mean ignoring the struggles—it’s about nourishing ourselves and each other so we can keep pushing forward, energized and inspired to create the world we envision. Pleasure is a powerful tool for imagining and embodying a future where justice and joy coexist.
SPOTLIGHT
The Lemon Girls is a queer-owned lemonade and juice shop in San Antonio, operated by Maxine and Desirée Cofino. Known for their tropical juices and community events, they recently received a significant grant from the Human Rights Campaign's "Queer to Stay" initiative, aimed at supporting LGBTQ+ businesses facing economic challenges
Celeste Holbrook 3000 S Hulen Street Suite 124-731
Fort Worth, TX 76109, USA