My first post just went live—and it’s all about how I got my first job out of journalism school as a Wired fact-checker: lexipandell.substack.com/p/how-i-got-...
Excited to share my new Substack, Writer to Writer! This is your practical, behind-the-scenes guide to the writing life. I’m sharing what I’ve learned about pitching, handling rejection, building community, and making a creative career actually work.
When my mother died, I wrote a letter to the name plaintiff on her case—who was serving a life sentence for an unthinkable crime—to talk about grief.
When he passed, his daughter reached out said she’d like me to tell her story too.
My latest for @rollingstone.com:
apple.news/A7c7VYYnrTc6...
I bet she even knows the correct response to "What's my favorite word?" 🥲
Let’s go, Oaklaaaaand! 🥇
Thank you so much for coming!
If anyone is trying to offload a ticket to see Lily King at Kepler's in Menlo Park next week, I would happily buy it from you 📚🎟️
Long story short: I was supposed to get a free ticket from a prize, I did not hear back from the powers that be, it's now sold out...and so I must scavenge.
New year, new BAIT at @sausalitolibrary.bsky.social! Our January 30 event features the superlatively talented readers @jonvhickey.bsky.social, @tomasmmoniz.bsky.social, @lpandell.bsky.social, and Sommer Schafer. Free to attend; more information at baitreading.com.
#WritingCommunity #BayAreaWriters
I don’t know if it’s totally irrational—someone did try to steal my friend’s little dog who was tied up outside of a deli in the Mission District of SF. Luckily, someone in the deli noticed what was happening and intercepted.
Come one, come all! I'll be reading alongside @jonvhickey.bsky.social, Sommer Schafer, and Tomas Moniz at BaiT's January 30 event at the Sausalito Public Library. I hope to see you there 📚
One of my favorite traditions: a holiday book and cookie exchange with a circle of journalist friends. This year I received Norwegian pepperkaker with Chinese five spice powder (!) and TYPHOID MARY by Anthony Bourdain from my pal Andy Han. I rate this 1000/10!
Heart the Lover by Lily King has to be one of my favorite reads of the year. I gulped it down in two sittings and the ending made me weep. Nostalgic, funny, poignant—I’ll be thinking about this one for a long time.
The autumn leaves!!!!
One day left in Japan after a wonderful whirlwind of a trip ❤️
Chocolate Jumbles from the Tate’s Bake Shop Cookbook. Though the pecans are wonderful in this, you can easily omit them. I like to use a mix of white and dark or milk chocolate chips.
Oooh this is so satisfying. What was it?
“Candy Shop” while the car runs down the bullies who vandalized her 💅
Aw, schucks! I am honored to be a name drop of any kind.
I'm feeling very lucky—some wonderful riding friends sent me a beautiful Lumos pen and some fun extras as a book contract signing gift.
This Friday! Join us for a free reading event @sausalitolibrary.bsky.social. Full details at baitreading.com.
My husband and I donated to our local food bank today—please do the same if you have the means. Our communities really need us right now. Everyone deserves to eat!
I am imagining him writing dinosaur stories in which every dinosaur has his hair.
Isn't it so great? Such a fun way to commemorate a big career event. I'm really grateful for it :)
Get yourself a friend who will make a mug with your Publishers Marketplace announcement ☕ ❤️
Thank you, @tanyazilinskas.com!
Workshops ✏️
Happy to facilitate generative workshops or to lead writers through constructive feedback on their work. I'm all about getting folks fired up about their writing and excited for the process.
Classes 🍎
I was a TA during my time at UC Berkeley—I love teaching. I’d be happy to make a guest appearance in your class to talk about writing, journalism, whatever!
Panels 🎤
Need someone for an AWP panel or another conference? I’m your girl. Let’s chat debut memoir, fact-checking, magazine journalism, writing both fiction and non-fiction, making it as a freelancer, pitching, getting an agent, writing a book proposal, hosting a writing retreat, and more.
Book launches and events 📚
I love interviewing! If you have a book coming out in the next year, hit me up to moderate/host your book event. I’m into a variety of non-fiction topics—tech, science, crime, spirituality. I’m also happy to lead Q&As for fiction.
Readings 📖
Host or reader, fiction or non-fiction. I have a memoir coming out in 2027 about New Age cults and skepticism, but I also have plenty of short stories I’d love to read. I’ve hosted many readings through my writing retreat, Desert Salon.
Putting this out there: I would love to do more literary events over the next year or so! I’m based in the SF Bay Area, but can Zoom in for remote events. 🧵 for the types of events I’m open to…
