I keep a gratitude jar to collect reminders of positive moments and kind gestures throughout the year that I’m grateful for. On New Year’s Day I open the jar and get to reminisce about the year. There’s been a whirlwind of activity lately in anticipation of the book coming out, and every day I feel like I need to pause and breathe and take it in.
I still have this knee jerk reaction where I want to hide from social media and any kind of attention, and sometimes I panic when I realize that people might actually read the book. I guess that’s the point! But when you’re having a good time just researching, writing, and editing, sometimes you forget and then it feels overwhelming. But it’s going to be all good. A wise skater (aka Jim Thiebaud) literally told me today that the real work begins now, to create the awareness. Plus, the skateboarders featured in the book’s pages seem pretty stoked, and ultimately, I’m doing this for the greater community.
Here’s a shout out list where good people have provided book blurbs, invitations, and opportunities to highlight the activity happening here on the archive and Girl Gangs, Zines and Powerslides: A History of Badass Women Skateboarders.
[Update: a special thank you to the mystery person who paid for my annual website fees after this post was shared! It was so thoughtful and generous!]
Most recently, Quentin DeLille of Beyond Boards podcast had me respond to some fabulous questions for Episode 105 (July 14, 2025). He tracked down twenty-two people to pick my brain, and no question was the same (see the breakdown in the description)! From academics, oldschool skaters and current legends, people from my past girl gangs to literary connections and beyond (hence “Beyond Boards”). I was impressed. And I was glad that I tuned in to the episode where Quentin is interviewed by John Dahlquist because I could relate to that feeling he expressed of wanting to do something constructive within skateboarding but also having imposter syndrome, and I knew he was going to be a wonderful host. Respectful, thoughtful and approachable.
Several of the questioners were folks who had been early readers of the book and provided blurbs to help instigate some buzz! I’m eternally grateful to Kyle Beachy, Annie Guglia, Betsy Gordon, Dr. Indigo Willing, Amy Mattes, and Cole Nowicki for taking the time to read an early draft and formulate their thoughts into catch sizzlers. Take a read… there’s some fun descriptions like Indigo’s statement of shredding through the “grip taped ceiling.” Dang!!
And speaking of Cole Nowicki, I just want to say that I have not been paying him for all the affirmation of late on his weekly Simple Magic newsletter [see: July 4th and June 27th]. What a guy! And if you’re in Vancouver on Tuesday, September 23rd, 2025, come on by the Central library for a book talk with Cole, in the role of literary host, Amy Mattes (author of Late September) and me! The in-person event is called “Skate Lit: Books and Badass Women Skateboarders” [registration required].
If you can’t be there, there is an hour-long feature for the SSHRED Seminars on YouTube thanks to Dr. Indigo Willing and Dr. Benjamin Duester. They invited me to present a talk earlier in the spring, alongside my fabulous host, Talia Kaufman! The title is “Pulse Check: a conversation about the highs and lows of skateboarding’s history.” SSHRED stands for Skating / Sustainability / Health / Research / Environmental Design, and there’s been a range of presenters, mostly academics sharing out their studies.
What a hype team!! I’ve never been one to celebrate milestones and accomplishments, I didn’t even go to a single graduation ceremony, high school or university, but I’m trying to change my attitude. I really am grateful for all the love for this project. Thank you thank you.
Womxn Skateboard History 