I've been getting more and more interested in zines lately! I folded up a bunch of different coloured papers into zines for my kids to draw on. So far my 5-year-old is the only one very interested but I love to see what she does with them. I can't wait to see yours!
I read your letter a couple days ago and am hoping to make time to write something back within a week or two. I love getting mail, but getting yours has reminded me that I also love to send it. Also, I loved your poem! I'm planning to hang it up near my desk. Thank you for including it.
That book sounds so interesting - I couldn't find it through Libby so I'll have to just keep an eye out. I really enjoy my newsletter, but I've also been itching to make progress on my poetry book so that I can get to a point where I have some of my (written) work in physical form. I am really going to need to consider how to try to publish, though. I feel like I'm still a hair's breadth from burnout so it's not like I can travel around or do a ton of interviews to publicize, so I really don't know which way would be easier for me or how many people I'll be able to reach. (I'd love opinions if you have energy for it, but I'm mostly just sharing because I know you get it.)
I totally get it re: energy. What I decided was that for me publishing is a long game. A marathon, if you will, not a sprint. So I did my crowdfunder and then reset (and then two more crowdfunders because I have a problem.) 😂
I only did one podcast about my book, but there’s no expiration date on that. Also with Entwined I don’t think the podcasts translated into preorders. Selling books just takes time. So as an indie without a team we just have to pace ourselves.
I’ve seen continued sales from mentioning my book on Substack which isn’t the social and energetic drain of a podcast. Also traditional publishers barely do book tours anymore. And when they do debut authors usually end up traveling for very few signings - it’s more about building relationships with book sellers.
That said I would love to travel and do a book signing or launch, but I’d have to break things up. I’m thinking of doing a solo art show / book signing near an art friend next year. I think going to places you’d like to visit anyway and have support / people who are local and can help spread the word makes sense.
But I notice traditionally published authors often burn out during launch and I’m thankful for that transparency and glad as an indie I can launch in a way that fits my capacity (even if it brings me to the cusp.)
I really enjoy how you switched the conversation in my head from "what do I want to make" to "what container(s) do I want to inhabit"?
I've thought a lot about how the discipline of creating a regular handmade thing would benefit me, but resisted the pressures I felt on Patreon of producing to that platforms' "wants." Artist Kelly Anderson's Good Mail Club was one of the best examples of something I wanted to emulate, and now I see something similar here with what you're doing.
Lots to reflect on, here. I also need to avoid the either/or thinking, like, "If I make for this container I can't make for the other container." Do you ever feel like there are different containers that don't permit you to inhabit both?
Sarah, you are such an inspiration. I feel so limited by platforms, and all I want to do is make stuff (and write, write, write). I have toyed with the idea of doing similar things to what you shared, usually feel scared, now I am inspired.
I totally get the pressure to do things “right” and play by the platforms rules, but more and more I find the magic in breaking the rules and creating my own way of doing things.
So, so much goodness in this article. I spent awhile following all the links and links from links and I’m so glad I did! Yes - I’d love the affiliate link for the cards you are water coloring. Love! the Bear books ❤️
I love everything about this, and have also been thinking/dreaming about zines lately! I love the mindset shift you describe, and definitely need to read The Medium is the Message now. Thanks, as always, for sharing!
I love the zine idea. I have been gradually reading Stolen Sharpie Revolution, a kind of little handbook for how to make a zine, and there is a zine/indie comic shop in San Francisco called Silver Sproket that is amazing. I am not sure what the attraction is excactly, but there is one. I think small zines would be a great format in 2024, actually.
I am still fixated on knitting mini frogs. Whilst ignoring all the other things I should do. I think I’m working on the doctorate on procrastination.
I love them! I bought a Frog & Toad like that from Etsy maybe a month before you started posting them. I wish I had waited. 🐸
Ah well, never mind eh, if you ever want to add to them you know where I am.
Wait, are the frogs being sold?! Have I missed this??
I've been getting more and more interested in zines lately! I folded up a bunch of different coloured papers into zines for my kids to draw on. So far my 5-year-old is the only one very interested but I love to see what she does with them. I can't wait to see yours!
I read your letter a couple days ago and am hoping to make time to write something back within a week or two. I love getting mail, but getting yours has reminded me that I also love to send it. Also, I loved your poem! I'm planning to hang it up near my desk. Thank you for including it.
That book sounds so interesting - I couldn't find it through Libby so I'll have to just keep an eye out. I really enjoy my newsletter, but I've also been itching to make progress on my poetry book so that I can get to a point where I have some of my (written) work in physical form. I am really going to need to consider how to try to publish, though. I feel like I'm still a hair's breadth from burnout so it's not like I can travel around or do a ton of interviews to publicize, so I really don't know which way would be easier for me or how many people I'll be able to reach. (I'd love opinions if you have energy for it, but I'm mostly just sharing because I know you get it.)
The Internet Archive has been experiencing outages (due to cyber attacks) but if it’s working again you can log in to borrow it / read online from their library: https://archive.org/search?query=the+medium+is+the+massage
I totally get it re: energy. What I decided was that for me publishing is a long game. A marathon, if you will, not a sprint. So I did my crowdfunder and then reset (and then two more crowdfunders because I have a problem.) 😂
I only did one podcast about my book, but there’s no expiration date on that. Also with Entwined I don’t think the podcasts translated into preorders. Selling books just takes time. So as an indie without a team we just have to pace ourselves.
I’ve seen continued sales from mentioning my book on Substack which isn’t the social and energetic drain of a podcast. Also traditional publishers barely do book tours anymore. And when they do debut authors usually end up traveling for very few signings - it’s more about building relationships with book sellers.
That said I would love to travel and do a book signing or launch, but I’d have to break things up. I’m thinking of doing a solo art show / book signing near an art friend next year. I think going to places you’d like to visit anyway and have support / people who are local and can help spread the word makes sense.
But I notice traditionally published authors often burn out during launch and I’m thankful for that transparency and glad as an indie I can launch in a way that fits my capacity (even if it brings me to the cusp.)
🖤🖤🖤
Substack seems to be cutting off my comment. Let me know if it stops randomly mid sentence and I will just email it to you.
I can see the whole thing! Thank you so much for taking the time. It's so helpful.
This all looks so revitalising. I hope you are feeling it!
I am! It feels like I’ve been orbiting closer and closer to this spot over the last 5-7 years. 🌀
I really enjoy how you switched the conversation in my head from "what do I want to make" to "what container(s) do I want to inhabit"?
I've thought a lot about how the discipline of creating a regular handmade thing would benefit me, but resisted the pressures I felt on Patreon of producing to that platforms' "wants." Artist Kelly Anderson's Good Mail Club was one of the best examples of something I wanted to emulate, and now I see something similar here with what you're doing.
Lots to reflect on, here. I also need to avoid the either/or thinking, like, "If I make for this container I can't make for the other container." Do you ever feel like there are different containers that don't permit you to inhabit both?
This newsletter is pure magic ✨❤️
Thank you Zoe. With that mindset shift everything feels easier and more aligned. 💫
Sarah, you are such an inspiration. I feel so limited by platforms, and all I want to do is make stuff (and write, write, write). I have toyed with the idea of doing similar things to what you shared, usually feel scared, now I am inspired.
As Elyse Myers says, “Do it scared.”
I totally get the pressure to do things “right” and play by the platforms rules, but more and more I find the magic in breaking the rules and creating my own way of doing things.
We get to make up the rules!
We really do get to make up the rules!
So, so much goodness in this article. I spent awhile following all the links and links from links and I’m so glad I did! Yes - I’d love the affiliate link for the cards you are water coloring. Love! the Bear books ❤️
Here you go Karen! They are printables for a course I am taking, but you can also buy the workbook. Find both here: https://harkla.co/products/sensory-diet-workbook?rfsn=8349680.465631
I loved this! Something clicked in my head reading it ✨
I love hearing that Tamara and thanks for sharing!
Omg I am in love 😍🥹✨
Thank you Sara! If you join by the end of November you’ll get this zine. 🖤
I love everything about this, and have also been thinking/dreaming about zines lately! I love the mindset shift you describe, and definitely need to read The Medium is the Message now. Thanks, as always, for sharing!
Start here! https://austinkleon.com/tag/the-medium-is-the-message/
Then here: https://archive.org/search?query=the+medium+is+the+massage
The whole book has such a zine vibe. 🖤
Your school space looks so sweet and magical ✨🩷
Thank you Lindsey. It has been coming together little by little. 🥰
I love these ideas so much!
Can’t wait to check out more of your work.
Thank you Jane!
I love the zine idea. I have been gradually reading Stolen Sharpie Revolution, a kind of little handbook for how to make a zine, and there is a zine/indie comic shop in San Francisco called Silver Sproket that is amazing. I am not sure what the attraction is excactly, but there is one. I think small zines would be a great format in 2024, actually.
Thanks for sharing Chris. Swinging analogue when the world is leaning into AI feels like counterbalance to me. 🖤