If you want the full BTS you should watch this video I made recapping my year: https://youtu.be/j7fgrippwc0
First here are 10 lessons I learned/re-learned this year:
Lesson #1: Life is About the Little Moments
Lesson #2: The World is Bigger, Yet Smaller Than You Think
Lesson #3: Things Take Longer Than You Think
Lesson #4: Compound Interest is Everything
Lesson #5: Watch The Status Games You Play
Lesson #6: Give Yourself Permission to Focus
Lesson #7: Renaissance People are the Future
Lesson #8: People First, Readers First
Lesson #9: You Can’t Do it All
Lesson #10: Knowing Who and How to Trust
And here’s a quick recap of my year:
- I wrote two books: Millennium Game (YA dystopian) and my first non-fiction book Creator Economy For Authors: A Guide to the Future of Publishing
- I started the year at 19 and ended it at 20… that’s kind of wild.
- Took 40 credits at Harvard and switched my major from Neuroscience to History and Science. I took classes that spanned from genetics, to science, power, and politics, to cell molecular biology. And even some classes on building tech start-ups… which about that
- I co-founded Ream with Emilia Rose and Sean Patnode. It’s a subscription platform for fiction authors and it’s been so much fun. I’m so grateful to work with some of the best people in the world and work for the best people in the world: our authors.
- I traveled 30,000 miles from the Galápagos Islands to Paris, most of which was with my Grandpa. Coolest memories ever.
- I attended 9 conferences for authors/creators. Futurescapes, AWP, Grubstreet, CEX, SPS Live, 20BooksVegas, Lust in the Low Country, 20Books Madrid, HBS Media/Entertainment Conference
- Co-hosted 25+ podcast episodes on Subscriptions for Authors and Young Eager Writers. Had articles published in the Tilt and Self Publishing Formula.
And yes… there was more that happened… but I think that’s good enough for a recap :).
Looking ahead to 2023, I’ll be fully focused on running Ream with my two co-founders and launching the platform into the world. I’ll also be finishing out my junior year and starting my senior year at Harvard, but with most of my classes done… well it should be a fun time :).
I’m very grateful for all of you staying in tune with my journey. It’s been a wild ride these past 3 years. It started with me graduating high school in 2019. I wrote full-time during a gap year between high school and college… and then COVID hit.
I road tripped America with my college roommate, filmed dozens of YouTube videos (I have literally dozens of hours of unreleased footage) and live-streamed for a Sean Parker start-up. I founded my first technology company in 2021 focused on curated discovery of content… and now… well 2022 was an adventure and a half.
I can’t wait for the future. And am so grateful for the moments I’ve had.
It’s amazing what can happen in life when you have a dream and put everything you have into learning, adapting, and growing along the way.
6 years ago I started my publishing journey.
6 years later, I feel like I’ve accomplished and experienced everything I ever dreamed of. Yet it’s only just beginning.
You are more powerful than you think. You are more capable than you know.
And your life can be better than you imagine.
One day at a time. Lead with passion. Live with love.
And make the most of every damn moment.
You’ll never get it back.
And don’t do it alone.
After all… you can’t forget…
Together we are boundless.