According to our guest presenter, Jessica Williams, Executive Editor of William Morrow/HarperCollins, “fresh” is the new buzzword of the publishing industry. Indeed, when I looked at recent agent profiles on manuscriptwishlist.com, “fresh” pops up frequently. 

In light of recent events, many institutions are casting a critical eye on past practices. The publishing industry, too, is (slowly) recognizing the need to widen the lens of the stories they publish. They know that the most compelling books being published today—the ones that win awards and acclaim—are written by outsiders who are reframing narratives and rewriting history to put themselves in the picture, making themselves the hero of their own stories. 

When Sara asked me to be a part of the adoptee voices writing group, I was thrilled and honored. It had been my mission to encourage adoptee writers, but until then mine was a scattershot effort of giving advice to a writer here, critiquing a story there. Thanks to Sara, here was a thoughtful and intentional effort to systematize such efforts and reach a wider audience.  

It was such a privilege to collaborate with Jennifer, Ridg, and Sara. Take one of us away, and I don’t believe we would have had as dynamic a group and complete an experience. I learned so much from their “fresh” perspectives on both the craft and practice of writing, and on the adoptee experience and journey. 

And then there were the writers. Wow. It was humbling to hear your stories, knowing the bravery it took to express those most secret and tender thoughts, and then to share them. It was uplifting to see your fierce passion to write, to put your unique experiences and insights down on the page as a record for posterity, so that others might gain from your hard won insight and wisdom.

Every one of us has our own story to tell. Every one of us has our own “fresh” perspective to offer. Separated from our genetic origins, we know to question everything, to interrogate conventional wisdom, to distrust slogans and simple explanations. Because our stories so radically reframe the notion of family, belonging, and identity, we are the fresh voices that the world needs to hear.

Like adoption, writing can be a lonely experience. In moments of doubt and despair, I close my eyes and listen for you. I hear the sound of your fingers tapping the keyboard, your pens scratching across the paper. Together, we write on.