Bright Spots for Your Day 🌈

A Hungry Caterpillar + Self Pub 101 Update

I’m still writing a novel so I’m keeping this short and sweet.

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In the Studio ✂️

When I finish a big project (like crowdfunding Entwined) or have a lot of big feelings to process I like to make things with my hands.

After my first book I started my first bricolage The Mental Load.

This month I made The Mental Load II. This sculpture is roughly the size of my child and includes broken toys and the detritus of motherhood.

Don’t worry. We have two Elmo figures for some reason and this one was all scratched up.

More photos here.

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Exciting updates to Self Pub 101! 📖

Just a reminder this course is completely free.

This is not a funnel.

It’s not a marketing tool.

It’s just me paying it forward to help other indie authors.

This month there are two new guest speakers!

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Nathaniel Roy

shares his expertise as a professional book cover designer. This mini module covers how to collaborate with a designer. And you can also check out Nathaniel’s tips about designing your own cover. (His newsletter is gold. Go subscribe.)

There is also a new indie author spotlight featuring fantasy novelist B.S.H. Garcia.

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Stop everything. 🍁

Before you go back to the real world open a new tab and watch this short video of Mr. Rogers visiting Eric Carle’s art studio.

(If you didn’t already know Eric Carle is the illustrator of many classic children’s books including The Very Hungry Caterpillar.)

If you want to live in the warm and fuzzy for a bit longer hop over to Eric Carle’s blog and read what he wrote about the program in 1997.

And drop by

Mitchell Volk

’s metaphorical seed swap. 🌱

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Profits to Charity ☕️

Tis the season for gifting.

Two of my favorite authors and educators (John & Hank Green) founded good.store which donates 100% of profits to charity.

Over the past year they have donated 9 million dollars to support maternal mortality and tuberculosis treatment in impoverished countries.

If you’d like to gift loose leaf tea, coffee, soap, or quirky socks, swing by good.store and use my affiliate code SARAHDSHOTTS for 25% off.

I don’t do much affiliate marketing, but I really love good.store’s mission. And the Keats & Co. Breakfast Tea is my new favorite. ☕️

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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!)

• Restack or recommend on Substack.

• Buy my book.

• Forward this email to a friend.

• Or pledge support via Patreon ($3+) or Substack ($7+).

Join during November to get this zine in your mailbox!

If you missed my last post I’m planning to shapeshift this newsletter into a zine in 2025. This month was an experiment and I really loved making this. I’m definitely leaning into analogue in the new year.

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You’re invited to comment, but I am unlikely to respond in a timely fashion.

November is for noveling.

Cheers,

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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. 🐞

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