"Have a purpose, not a niche." I love this idea. When you are purpose driven, that's very different. The writing comes from a different place. I know who my audience is, but why am I speaking to them? Such amazing food for thought.
Deep thanks to you and Andrea for freeing me from feeling like a failure for not having a niche. They sound like an extraordinary individual. I am sad I did not know about them earlier, but I am about to start reading now. Thank you, Sarah, for this beautiful tribute.
I’ve known Andrea for years. First met in the slam scene where they struggled to find their voice—as we all do—and was just ecstatic to see the tour de force they became. Reconnected on Button, as a matter of fact, during the pandemic. Chatted about changes to Pearl St, Boulder as a whole and the good ol’ Mercury. The thing about them that was truly remarkable was their ability to make you feel like you’re their old friend. I will surely miss that, and them. I wished I’d have known Andrea was on here earlier.
I hadn't heard of her til yesterday when I saw another Substacker posting about her passing...happy to hear she was surrounded by so much love at the end! ❤️
"Grief hitches itself to other deaths in the strangest way." So powerfully true.
I unfortunately didn't know Andrea personally, but because of the example they led, I will strive to be a little more courageous in my writing and in my life.
Thank you for highlighting such a beautiful soul for those who are unfamiliar with their work. They were (and are) a gift to the world.
I knew nothing about them, but had already subscribed. Because of this post, I've just happily given an hour of my life to them, wishing I had more to give right now, wishing they had more to give forever, and oh so grateful to Substack.
Sarah, thanks for looking at Andrea’s Substack through your lens. I agree, it’s hard to imagine never receiving new posts, so it’s good that all their writing is evergreen.
Thank you for this beautiful reflection. Andrea’s words always felt like they were written with us, not at us—and that’s rare. Their Substack wasn’t just a newsletter, it was a thread of connection, a lifeline on some days. Reading this helped me feel that thread is still here, stretching forward through all of us who were changed by their presence.
I'm so glad. You put this so well: "Andrea’s words always felt like they were written with us, not at us—and that’s rare. Their Substack wasn’t just a newsletter, it was a thread of connection."
This strikes me as so important: "Andrea posted when they had something to say, so we never felt they were wasting our time."
My boss at my first writing job said something that has always stuck with me: "If you have nothing to say, don't say it."
I love that about them.
"Have a purpose, not a niche." I love this idea. When you are purpose driven, that's very different. The writing comes from a different place. I know who my audience is, but why am I speaking to them? Such amazing food for thought.
What is the matter with you? This has nothing to do with this post or the conversation. Please don't call me out by name.
I'm so sorry, Janine. I just banned him. Who knows what/who that was. He'll never be back.
Thank you! It was so random…
And disturbing. Eek.
Deep thanks to you and Andrea for freeing me from feeling like a failure for not having a niche. They sound like an extraordinary individual. I am sad I did not know about them earlier, but I am about to start reading now. Thank you, Sarah, for this beautiful tribute.
Yes! We're not failures for not having niches!
This tribute is a fountain overflowing with love for Andrea, insight into her work and wisdom for the rest of us.
I'm so glad, Rona!
I’ve known Andrea for years. First met in the slam scene where they struggled to find their voice—as we all do—and was just ecstatic to see the tour de force they became. Reconnected on Button, as a matter of fact, during the pandemic. Chatted about changes to Pearl St, Boulder as a whole and the good ol’ Mercury. The thing about them that was truly remarkable was their ability to make you feel like you’re their old friend. I will surely miss that, and them. I wished I’d have known Andrea was on here earlier.
That's amazing, Brian. Thank you for sharing that. The evolution is so important.
I hadn't heard of her til yesterday when I saw another Substacker posting about her passing...happy to hear she was surrounded by so much love at the end! ❤️
I loved Andrea's writing and felt that same deep grief hit hard. Thanks for writing about them here.
As the tears roll down my face, I feel gushing gratitude at having found this community and you-Sarah as a guide. Thank you.
You're making me cry too!
"Grief hitches itself to other deaths in the strangest way." So powerfully true.
I unfortunately didn't know Andrea personally, but because of the example they led, I will strive to be a little more courageous in my writing and in my life.
Thank you for highlighting such a beautiful soul for those who are unfamiliar with their work. They were (and are) a gift to the world.
I'm amazed at how many people did know them!
I'm with you: trying to be a little more courageous in my writing and in my life.
I'm so sad to her of their passing.
Me too. We're in it together.
I knew nothing about them, but had already subscribed. Because of this post, I've just happily given an hour of my life to them, wishing I had more to give right now, wishing they had more to give forever, and oh so grateful to Substack.
I love this, Mary. Yes, so grateful to Substack for giving us this space and someone like Andrea.
Gorgeous tribute to a remarkable human + poet 🙏🏽
Sarah, thanks for looking at Andrea’s Substack through your lens. I agree, it’s hard to imagine never receiving new posts, so it’s good that all their writing is evergreen.
Indeed.
A gushing cry as I pour over Andrea's work.
A soul who lived their essence, and a guide for the rest of us to live there, as well.
Exactly.
Loved their work, so sad to hear of their passing - but the work lives on, and we will always have that to go back to and remember them by
Yes!
Thank you for this beautiful reflection. Andrea’s words always felt like they were written with us, not at us—and that’s rare. Their Substack wasn’t just a newsletter, it was a thread of connection, a lifeline on some days. Reading this helped me feel that thread is still here, stretching forward through all of us who were changed by their presence.
I'm so glad. You put this so well: "Andrea’s words always felt like they were written with us, not at us—and that’s rare. Their Substack wasn’t just a newsletter, it was a thread of connection."