My New Gig
I’m superstitious by nature, convinced that good things end abruptly. Though I understand that not all luck is bad, my normal response to joyful happenstance is “What’s the catch?” Fate, I believe, does not bargain in good faith.
My world view is best illustrated by the story of Samuel Njoroge, a middle-aged Kenyan who in 2005 took his first trip to the ocean. A resident of Africa’s dry plains, he had never seen so much blue, beautiful water. He stepped tentatively out into it, felt the pure joy of it lapping around his ankles, smiled broadly — and was immediately hit by the Indian Ocean tsunami and drowned.
So it is with a certain reticence that I admit, out loud, that I’m writing a weekly column for Uncorked, an online wine magazine published by Nomad Editions, which is a very interesting company indeed. (I’ve crossed paths with a couple of Nomad’s principals, including design director and certified genius Roger Black.) Started by some highly accomplished print refugees, Nomad is rolling-out lifestyle magazines at a fantastic rate. Being even a small part of something with this much potential is really, really cool.
My column is This Week in Wine, a round-up of wine-related news that is a lot like what I do here. The gig is an unreservedly good thing, a cause for celebration. So, naturally, I hesitate to bring it up because I’m convinced public acknowledgement of good things precipitates their end. Where a more mentally healthy person would find satisfaction, I now live with enormous dread, sure that the editor is going to call to explain that he made a terrible mistake.
I’d link to a sample of the column I’m writing, but it’s subscription only. (Introductory rate: 99 cents a month. Pony up, cheapskates.) That’s how they pay me my fabulous salary.
It’s a lot of fun. We’re still working out the voice of the column. So far, no jokes about Canada or rosé. But we’ll see.
June 6th, 2011 at 12:16 PM
“a lot like what I do here.”
Which you basically offer to your friends for free. Now, everyone has to pay for “it”. This reminds me of something, I just can’t quite put my finger on the right word.
June 6th, 2011 at 12:25 PM
Congrats. Just tried to subscribe, but don’t see a neophyte option – only iPad. Huh.
June 6th, 2011 at 2:09 PM
Do I get a cut of this action for recommending you to them?
This link should work – I think – for checking out one of the back-issues that contains some of your column mojo: https://nomadeditions.com/uncorked/2011-05-27/this-week-in-wine.html
Cheers!
June 6th, 2011 at 2:18 PM
Dude did, in fact, recommend me for the job. And because I am an ungrateful slob, I will pay him noting for his agentry.
June 6th, 2011 at 7:38 PM
iPad only?
Sorry, but I’m not in. Not only because I don’t use iPad, but because I don’t join exclusive clubs, what with being a greasy Italian who never has been accepted in the stratosphere life
In any case, Tom, I sincerely hope this turns out to give you what you want from it.
In my observation over the years, getting what you want from a business relationship as a writer is a great example of the 80/20 rule: 80% does not turn out and 20% promises to turn out.
I have no idea what the percentage of “turns out” is, as no one has developed a percenmeter that can measure that low…
June 7th, 2011 at 8:24 AM
Does this mean you have to embrace millenials and social media?
June 7th, 2011 at 8:50 AM
I’ve already embraced social media. For example: I write a blog, and recently took part in a Twitter tasting of Missouri wines. As for Millennials, I’ve been trying to be nicer. But sometimes they’re funny, and I can’t pass that up.
June 7th, 2011 at 10:38 AM
It’s nice to know I’m not the only one who is suspicious of good fortune.
Now, I just wish I had an iPad to read your Uncorked column.
June 9th, 2011 at 9:38 AM
Congrats on the new gig — just dl the Nomad app and sub’d. As a former mag guy, i love the product. Hadn’t caught my attention til now…
best of luck