Academic Battlescars ⚔️

And How to Self Publish a Book 💫

How to Self Publish a Book

I've finally done it! I removed the paywall from Self Publishing 101 and it is now completely free.

All of the episodes are bite size podcasts and curated links.

This was originally a paid course, but I struggled with how much to charge for it. On one hand I put a lot of work into it. Years of notes and hours of writing, recording, and formatting.

On the other hand I want to empower writers who may not have the funds to invest in a course financially. Most of my creative kindreds are neurodivergent and we are more likely to be underemployed because of inhospitable workspaces, discrimination, and/or struggles with chronic illness.

Meanwhile, Nathan and I are both fortunate to have flexible employment, and the stability that provides. I want to pass that on by sharing what I've learned with people who need it.

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I’m also adding an Author Spotlight series!

I have three indie authors queued up, but if you'd like to share your self publishing story (video or podcast) let me know.

The first spotlight is on

Susan Earlam

who talks about embracing the autonomy of self publishing here.

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In the Studio ✂️

Following on from my progress last week I completed Academic Battlescars and added it to my portfolio this week.

This chalkboard is scarred from years spent in an unsuitable and hostile outdoor environment. Its identity is warped because it did not have the care and support needed to thrive.

An autistic child is scarred from years spent in an unsuitable and hostile academic environment. Their identity is warped when they do not have the care and support needed to thrive.

A Postscript

This piece is a critique of broken systems. It is not a criticism of humans who are doing their best within them. I have massive respect for all the parents and teachers who are advocating for and supporting autistic and neurodivergent kids in schools.

If you find it useful I've created some free resources for parents and teachers you can find here.

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Podcasts 🎧

We're still in the dip for Entwined, but I'm really excited to see the first of our book launch podcast episodes. Shout out to Kayla Huzsar for hosting

Hayley Dunlop

on her Chill Like a Mother podcast.

chill.likeamother

A post shared by @chill.likeamother

Definitely put this one at the top of your podcast queue.

They cover a lot of ground in a short 30 minutes about how motherhood can be the spark to discover who you really are and create space for what fuels you.

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Books 📖

I finished This Is How You Lose the Time War this week.

Earlier this year I had a false start with this book. And this week I almost stopped reading a couple of chapters in. The analytical part of my brain that wants to know how things work wasn't satisfied. But as I continued reading I realized that this book isn't really science fiction.

It's poetry.

It plays by different rules.

If you're a writer I'd highly recommend that you listen to Amal's Poetry Masterclass for Writing Excuses (Season 16, Episodes 11-18).

I listened to this series driving Davy around for toddler naps and remember loving Amal. You don't need to know her work to enjoy the podcast, but I'm definitely going to download them to listen again.

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Digital Foraging 🍁

This week I wrote up the bibliography for Entwined. This post is everything I read whilst writing the first draft. There are books, memoirs, websites, and academic studies.

My Top 3

• All the Rage: Mothers, Fathers, and the Myth of Equal Partnership by Darcy Lockman

• The Blue Jay’s Dance by Louise Eldrich

• Burn Out: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Amelia Nagoski & Emily Nagoski

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This time last year...

Because the Internet compresses space and time (what I like to call neurodivergent spacetime) some of my closest friends live an ocean away.

This time last year I wrote about neurodivergence and friendship (featuring photographs from my collab with

Claire Venus

.)

I focused specifically on how the Internet can make relationships more accessible to neurodivergent humans. I think it’s doubly true if you’re chronically ill (as I am.)

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The Compost Heap is free to all. Thanks for exchanging your time and energy. If you’re feeling particularly generous here are other ways you can lend your support.

• Leave a comment (it’s free!)

• Share Self Publishing 101.

• Buy a book.

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The Internet is like a tin can telephone. It’s just a rusty can until someone talks back.

What are you reading? What are you making? What are you dreaming up?

I appreciate you.

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This newsletter is a curated collection of tidbits from my overgrown Compost Heap (or digital garden.) Rummage around, turn the heap, and see what you can find for yourself. 🪱🐛🌱

Illustrations by Gracie Klumpp of Leave the Fingerprints. 🐞