Saying Goodbye to MacStories
I’m writing this on a Friday morning, a time I normally block off for editing the weekly MacStories member newsletter. A creature of habit, I find routines both comforting and very hard to break, which partially explains why I’m staring at a cursor in a text editor on a Friday morning when there are no stories for me to work on anymore.
The full explanation is this: I left my position at MacStories yesterday, and writing this is my way of letting you know about that decision and – with any luck – processing it a bit myself. So bear with me.
Being a part of MacStories over the past two and a half years has meant the world to me. I’ve been a fan of Federico and John’s work covering Apple, apps, and Shortcuts for a very long time, and I’ve always aspired to reach their level of quality and enthusiasm in my own writing. When they invited me to join the MacStories team – first as a podcaster alongside my partner in crime Sigmund and later as a writer and editor – it felt like an affirmation of all the work I’d put into my own projects over the years. I got to work with my personal heroes, walking among giants in my eyes.
The first time I saw my name on a MacStories byline, I could hardly believe it. It felt unreal that I would get the chance to write for a site I so admired, much less be a regular contributor. Imposter syndrome tried to rear its ugly head, but the encouragement so generously offered by colleagues and readers helped me overcome that nonsense. Eventually, I was able to wrap my mind around the reality of it all and just enjoy the ride.
The best part of the job by far was the camaraderie among the team. I love writing, but I adore collaborating with other writers as an editor, helping them tell their stories to the world. The experience of being part of a writing team was a first for me, and it’s one I’ll never forget. Working alongside Jonathan, Niléane, and the rest of the crew was a pure joy. I’ll miss the teamwork – especially the frenzy of covering an Apple event together – most of all.
It was also my first time writing for an audience beyond my small but loyal group of blog readers, as well as my first time publishing anything that people paid to read, and the gravity of that responsibility was a lot to carry at first. It would have been enough to petrify me if the MacStories and Club MacStories community hadn’t been so welcoming and kind. The feedback from readers was endlessly positive and interesting; it made the writing process that much more meaningful.
From covering Apple events to writing two reviews of major visionOS versions to editing over 550 stories for the site and the Club, I loved everything I got the privilege to be a part of at MacStories. The experience taught me so many things, most of all my love for editing – digging into a thought or phrase and finding just the right way to convey it with clarity, impact, and often a dash of humor. My passion for tech writing and editing has only grown as a result of my time at the site.
Stepping away from MacStories was my decision, even though the circumstances leading up to it were outside of my control. It’s hard to let go of something that made me so proud to be a part of and brought me such a deep sense of joy, fulfillment, and accomplishment. It played a huge part in how I saw myself as a creative professional, and I’m really, really going to miss it.
So Friday mornings are going to feel hollow for a while. I have no doubt that my fingers are going to find themselves instinctively reaching for the keyboard to get to work on… I don’t know what. In time, I’ll figure out what that is. For now, though, I’m doing my best to direct that energy not towards missing what once was or wishing that things were different, but being thankful for the experiences I’ve had, the wonderful people I’m blessed to have in my life, and the hope of what’s to come.