A brief note from Work Stew editor Kate Gace Walton:
Earlier this month, I posted the following note on Work Stew’s Facebook page:
Some of you know that in early 2015 I put most of Work Stew on hold. I was overwhelmed all of a sudden by the demands of my job, my family, and the needs of several friends in crisis.
Things feel more stable now (::Kate furiously knocks on wood::) so I’m thinking, for the first time in 18 months, about where to take things:
Do I return to the task of soliciting essays? Do I conduct more writing contests? Should I use funds that I previously put towards contest prizes to instead pay writers who submit pieces chosen for publication?
Do I return to the podcast? If so, what should I change?
Do I call it a day and move on entirely?
What are your thoughts? Is there anything in particular you’d like to see happen on the site and/or with this forum?
I then posted another note, which I am also sharing here because not everyone uses Facebook:
Regarding plans for Work Stew:
Thanks for the comments and ideas–those that were posted here [on Facebook] and those sent via PM/email. They were very helpful.
I’ve decided I’m going to take the rest of 2016 to recover from some of the hard stuff that’s happened over the last 18 months–it’s been a doozy of time–and to keep thinking things through.
During this time, I’ll keep posting here [on Facebook] and on Twitter but the site itself will remain more or less on hold. By mid-December, I’ll publish a post outlining my plans for the next phase.
Thanks again for all the kind words and support. They mean a lot to me!
See you in a few months. If you need to reach me in the meantime, please feel free to email me: kate@workstew.com.
Work Stew 
Hi Kate,
Just wanted to say again how much I enjoy your Work Stew posts, and your posts in general. Always entertaining, always witty, always brightens my day. I think of you, Chris, the kids, and your Mom so often and send special love and hugs, knowing what a tough time it’s been for you all.
Love,
Charlotte
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