Bits 'n Bobs
No, this is not a gift guide
This is a busy time of year. Rather than inundate you with words, I’m going to keep it short and sweet today. Before we get into the ‘Best of the Year’ posts I’ll have over the next few weeks, some housekeeping.
Like I said, this isn’t a gift guide. But if it were a gift guide, then I’d suggest buying books from your local bookstore. Or if you don’t have an independent bookstore near you, not to worry! Bookshop.org is a great place to buy books and support local bookstores - they receive a portion of the profits. You can even pick which bookstore you support. It was started during the pandemic to help bookstores stay in business, and there’s a UK version, too.
I’d also suggest Buncy Book Club, which is run by a woman named Sarah and has truly some of the most unhinged stickers I have ever seen. I love them. I bought some as presents earlier in the year, and she sent me a bunch of extra stickers and now I have a sticker album where I’m going to organize them all. 10/10, no notes.
Chaotic Reading Future
Gosh, this sounds so melodramatic. But I do have a poll and an announcement for you on the future of this little Substack here.
First of all, what would you like to see more of? I ask not because I have a lack of ideas (I have an entire document full of them), but because what you might find interesting may be different than me. For example: maybe you want to hear more about my teaching experience. Or how MFAs work. That all seems part and parcel to me, but maybe you have more questions. Maybe you’re dying to know about my novel updates. And I will never know because I did not ask!
So I am asking. I cannot promise I will follow all suggestions to a T, but please be assured they will be taken under advisement.
In other future news, as of today, I’m turning on paid subscriptions. Nobody panic. As of right now and going forwards, most of my content will be free and non-paywalled.
My reasoning for this is twofold:
A friend of mine pointed out that I’m not giving people the chance to support me. I’ve already had a few people pledge subscriptions, which is both deeply flattering and humbling. My logic for keeping them off was I’m not a big name writer, but my friend pointed out that even if folks wanted to pay me for my words here, I haven’t given them the opportunity to do so. Touché.
I do value my own time and effort, and the efforts and experience of writers everywhere. Writing as a craft and a job has long been devalued in the (Western) world, and most writers have to work multiple jobs to make ends meet. That was the case for me when I was freelancing. Traditional and digital media companies are cutting jobs, and I don’t want to be part of an environment that expects writers to write for free. Even as one person, it matters to me.
I do have a full time job (see point 2, lol), so please rest assured that this isn’t making or breaking my bank account. If you have the means to support me and can, thank you. If not, no worries. Most everything here will still be available for you to read. I know you have a choice in what you read and where you devote your time and energies to, so I’m grateful that you’re here all the same, regardless of whether you pay for a subscription or not.
If I do decide to paywall more content in the future, rest assured I’ll be vocal and upfront about it. If I do go that route, it’ll be because I want to talk about more personal topics that I don’t want just…available…out there on the Internet.
And because there wasn’t nearly enough chaos in this email, I give you: what made me do a double take in the grocery store the other day. What is this? Why is this here? Please, make the madness stop.
No New Books™️ Challenge
Oh hey I bought some more books. Namely because I had to buy some presents for folks for Christmas (see, books! They make great presents!) and I decided if I’m buying books for other people then I certainly should buy books for myself right? Right. The end of the year - and tariffs - are coming, so the clock will reset once it’s 2025. And I will once again see how long I can hold out before buying any more books.
Streak to Beat: 50 days (January 1st - February 19th)
Last (notable) streak: 37 days (September 18th - October 24th)
(Actual) Last streak: 12 days (December 1st - 12th)
Current streak: 5 days (December 14th - Present)
Mug Moment of the Week
Last year, I forgot to unpack a whole box full of holiday mugs, so I’m making the most of it now. Behold, a Rifle Paper Co mug with lovely little wintergreen accents.
The gold is shiny, and it matched very well with both the candle and lit swag I have in my living room. I was writing Christmas cards, and hoo boy is that an endeavor. Not because I was handwriting them. No, because I have terrible handwriting. If you get a card that you can’t read, it’s from me and I’m wishing you all things merry and bright.
Until next week when I start recapping my 2024 reading journey and whether I actually completed any of my reading goals. Spoiler alert: it’s not looking good, fam!