I find that I sometimes apologize too much in instances where I probably should be extending myself grace. Therefore, instead of apologizing for my absence in this space, I shall boldly and unapologetically go right into the great things that have been happening lately…
Back in February, I decided that it was time for a rebranding and relaunch of something near and dear to my heart.
If you’ve been here for a while you know that it has always been a desire of mine to curate a space where literature, culture, and fun all coincide. I’ve always been an avid reader, so I decided to host an event where people could get together and enjoy themselves while diving in to a discussion about a book. Think bookclub, but more like meeting of the minds where people of all walks of life could gather to talk about what they’ve read without all the formality of a traditional bookclub. In October of 2017, Lit(erary) & Lounge was born, and we had our first event at the wine bar formally known as Ogun and it was AMAZING. We drank wine, we discussed Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi, and a great time was had by all…
Then life started life-ing again, and by the time I looked up it was 2018, and then LIFE really started Life-ING, but by the end of that year Author F. Renee Hamilton was born, and I put my great idea on the back burner, where it sat all through the pandemic, and accumulated payments to GoDaddy, and kind of just collected dust while I pursued other endeavors. A slight attempt at a resurrection occurred briefly, before life started to life again and then boom it was 2023 and the now Mrs. Vaughn was looking around wondering where time went and what happened to that manuscript she had been working on.
Two things happened. The first being that I decided to get out of my own way and to create a thing that was missing in my life… A space and community for creative encouragement where women who looked like me could meet to write together. I already had the blueprint for the concept (shout out to a Tribe Called Manifest and Guild of Jaliyaa) and the bandwidth to actually commit to the undertaking.
And with all that being said, Lit(erary) & Lounge was reborn and hosted the inaugural Write-In in April at Mala Market in Houston… & it was just what my soul needed.
Then May happened, and we had another event at The African American Research Center at The Gregory School… and a room full of beautiful Black and Brown women wrote their hearts out and left my spirit full of life and inspiration.
I used that motivation to fuel another gathering in celebration of Summer Solstice and Octavia Butlers birthday hosted in the reading garden at Kindred Stories… and let me tell you my mind was blown away at the turn out and the momentum that was created. It was magical.
Then, I did what I tend to do and began to overly critique myself. It was announced that a new book about The Sisterhood was being written, which I cannot wait to dive into, but it made me feel as if my undertaking was not enough or maybe would be seen as trying to recreate something that previously existed that was truly monumental. Then I started noticing other groups launching that were very similar or almost identical to what I had created. So I decided to scale back, and for the month of July, I told myself that I would make things smaller, limit the number of guests I allowed so I wouldn’t let my anxiety get the best of me… and I lamented.
I barely mentioned the upcoming write-in for the month of July, as my husband constantly kept asking me when and where I planned to host it. He kept insisting that I do it more frequently, suggesting locations, looking at venues— all the while I was over here thinking about stopping completely. I booked a room at the library and on July 15th, went in not knowing where my feet would land after the day was over.
As the start time approached, I did not know what to expect. I was in my head, feeling like I was way out of my lane. Then the attendees began to arrive, and finally it was time to begin…
I decided to begin with an icebreaker and asked everyone to introduce themselves by telling the group their “why” with no other context. I guess in that moment I was stuck on my own personal reason for it all, so I thought that others might have been able to relate. Let me tell you something, not only were they able to relate, we were able to reaffirm and use the power of words to reignite the reasons why back into our own selves. Yesterday was what I needed.
I cannot speak for everyone who was at the table with me yesterday, but I can attest to the magic that was made. Lit & Lounge is what we all needed yesterday, and I’m grateful for the ladies who were there to experience it firsthand.
I remember my why and I will not let it be overshadowed by my what if. To everyone who has provided an encouraging word, to my husband for continuously reminding me that there is a space for my creation, to the women who have showed up and shared their words with me… Thank you, and stayed tuned for the next event.
Author F. Renee Hamilton 