From the Compost Heap header. A pencil style illustration of a compost heap with flowers and plants growing around it. A bee buzzes by and a white rabbit hops by.

  • Festive Recipes & Free Books ✨

    One last update before I shift into holiday hibernation. Socializing and changes in routine can take a lot of energy for an autistic. So we really prioritize gentle self regulation in December.

    A Correction for the Boundary Zine

    Last month I wrote about neurodivergent boundaries and shared a printable zine. I noticed that I accidentally left out the section on social supports (pretty important) so I’ve just updated the post. You can re-read and download the new printable zine here. (Everyone who bought a zine will get a little “tip in” of the missing section.)

    Festive Recipe Zine

    This month I was going to type up some festive recipes when I found the above image of my family’s cranberry relish recipe. I quickly realized most of my family recipes were from the “back of the box” and went down the rabbit hole to collect them all. These zines are going out to my zine subscribers and won’t be stocked in my shop. Just to minimize computer work for me this month.

    SUBSCRIBE FOR MONTHLY ZINES

    Free Copies of Entwined & Ember

    I was busy all November fulfilling orders for Entwined & Ember (now out in hardcover and paperback!) Thanks so much to everyone who preordered and supported this project.

    There’s now a free ebook option for parents in financial hardship. If you’d benefit you can download yours here – no questions asked. (You can also donate a copy if you’d like.) There are also a limited number of paperbacks donated during the crowdfunding campaign.

    Entwined ebook mockup on iPad

    A note on publishing for a worldwide audience…

    I’m using Amazon to print and fulfill orders for Entwined & Ember. I’ve made this choice for to offer affordable worldwide shipping (we have contributors from several different countries) and to make the book discoverable to anyone searching Amazon.

    These were the books I needed as a new mum so I’m keen for as many parents to have access to these books as possible.

    I want to clarify that orders placed through my website (or the crowdfunding campaign) are author copies and Amazon does not get a cut.

    In case you missed it…

    I filmed a zine and art unboxing last month. You can watch it by tapping below.

    That’s all for 2026.

    See you all in the new year.

    Cheers,

    Sarah signed with a swoopy S
    Read more: Festive Recipes & Free Books ✨

  • Entwined & Ember Book Launch! 🌿

    This week I’ve been soft launching two books that I’ve been working on for six years. I crowdfunded these books last spring and have been working on this project since I was postpartum… that’s been six years. It feels like I’ve finally given birth to twins.

    Here’s a bit about the books.

    Scroll down for more behind-the-scenes goodness. I probably have enough here for whole email campaign, but I’m sending it one email.

    Entwined ebook mockup on iPad

    Entwined is an anthology of creativity & motherhood weaving together stories from mothers in United States, Mexico, Canada, England, Qatar, and M’chigeeng First Nation. Every mother has their own creative ecosystem. By sharing our stories we hope to inspire you to entwine creativity and motherhood in your own way.

    BUY ENTWINED
    Ember: an art journal for parents. The cover is a burned piece of wood layered with transparent white paint.

    Ember is an art journal companion to the Entwined anthology. It presents a variety of creative prompts (writing, observation, ideating, dreaming, and making) to help parents kindle their creative sparks. There are two versions Ember for Parents & Ember for Mothers.

    buy ember

    It’s an art journal with no blank pages.

    Here’s a peek inside.

    You can now buy Entwined & Ember in hardcover or paperback.

    Free PDF ebooks are available to anyone experiencing financial hardship.

    And a number of paperbacks have been donated & can be claimed here.

    Tiny toddler hands reaching toward keys on a vintage typewriter

    Resources for Creative Parents

    I spent the first two years of parenthood reading everything I could about parenthood and creativity. I still couldn’t find the book I was looking for so I wrote my own – a massive manuscript that became two books and two art journals.

    Click here to browse my research rabbit holes.

    The Five Six Year Origin Story

    Read the five year origin story of Entwined.

    Mother Maker Manifesto first draft typed document with giant bulldog clip holding pages together.

    Meet the Contributors

    Click here to read the book launch blog hop. Watch the crowdfunding video below for clips of some of the creative parents involved.

    Ways to Support drawing of a white rabbit hopping into flowers

    If you’d like to support this indie book project here are some ways to get involved.

    • Leave a review! (This is the best way to help these books reach more parents. Even if you didn’t buy on Amazon that is the best place to leave a review. If we reach 100 reviews we get an algorithmic bump!)
    • Buy or donate a copy. (If you’re not a parent you can gift a copy to a friend or donate a copy to a parent in financial hardship. If you would benefit from a free copy yourself you can claim one here.)
    • Tell a friend. (Share this post directly with a parent who would enjoy these books.)

    You can also, of course, subscribe for monthly zines. This month’s zine is about neurodivergent boundaries (which you can read for free online.)

    Thanks so much for your support!

    Cheers,

    Sarah signed with a swoopy S

    P.S. For those of you who backed my picture book project – it is also nearing completion. Here’s a peek at one of the illustrations in progress by the talented illustrator Gracie Klumpp.

    We are aiming to release How it Feels to Me in Spring of 2026.

    Illustrated spread featuring a rainbow infinity symbol and characters who appear to be scientist, artist, astronaut and comedian.

    Read more: Entwined & Ember Book Launch! 🌿

  • Zine & Art Unboxing

    Zines & Poetry Print from A. Wilder

    Art for Joy Club by Juliana Naufel & Caleb Novell

    Friendship & Ghost Zines from Hanna Keiner

    Oh Happy Dani Zines, Stickers & Mail Club

    Art & Zines from Jocelyn Mathewes

    Mail Blog by Cortney Cassidy

    Postcards for Rewilding the Artist Field Guide by Gaia Redgrave, “In this hands-on field guide, artist Gaia Redgrave shares her Rewilding Journey as a neurodivergent, disabled person.”

    Monarch Zine from Melissa Dettloff

    Micro Zines by Toaster Poster 15

    Type Zine from Mitchell Volk

    Open Call Zine from Impractical Labor in Service of the Speculative Arts (ILSSA)

    Michigan State University Star Charts

    Celebrating Slowness Newsletter Zine by Kelley Clink

    Newsletter by The Luddite Club

    Wizard Stickers by Blaise Bats

    Laurel Schwulst Sense to Sense Artist Book

    Read more: Zine & Art Unboxing

  • Boundaries Zine

    A few years ago I wrote a post about neurodivergent boundaries. I had the idea to type it up into a zine and ended up completely re-writing it. I’m making this one available as a digital download. Feel free to print copies and give them away (just don’t charge for them.)

    download

    If you’d prefer to buy a physical copy you can do so here or join my zine subscription before the end of November.

    Open airmail envelope with blue and green stripes
    Read more: Boundaries Zine

  • Things Bringing Me Joy ✨

    Part of my advocacy work right now is being autistic in public.

    But to continue doing that I have to take care of myself.

    Here are some of the things that brought me joy this week.

    Making Mini Zines ✂️

    Different types of making meet different needs.

    Writing is analytical and helps me unravel my ideas. But it’s not the most regulating.

    So instead of writing this week I’ve been making mini zines.

    This one is using images from the mood board for my fantasy novel. A process that I paused for several months and am now orbiting back to. I’m really curious about how I can make my storytelling more interdisciplinary and how I can invert my writing from something I am doing for others to something I am doing for myself.

    I’ll probably write more about this later, but here’s a timelapse of me making a zine.

    Tap to watch me make a zine at midnight when everyone else in my house is sleeping.

    Down the Rabbit Hole 🐇

    I fell into a story over the weekend the way Alice fell into Wonderland. Once I started I just had to keep reading until I reached the end.

    Non-Player Character by Veo Corva. A glowing night-time forest with poly dice constellations in the sky. A glowing person nervously reaches out to a floating seal creature.

    Non Player Character by autistic author Veo Corva (they/them) made me feel seen in a way I don’t think I ever have in a story before.

    This book follows a diverse group of nerds becoming found family. If you’ve ever felt alone or “too much” or “not enough” I think you should read this.

    + 10 if you’re autistic, anxious, or otherwise neurodivergent.

    + 10 if you’re queer, gender queer or disabled.

    +10 if you’ve ever been a fantasy gamer (tabletop or video game).

    I can’t say much more without giving away plot points, but this is a beautifully written crowdfunded book.

    Support the author if you can (and let me know if you read this!)

    Escaping the Algorithm 🌀

    I’m experimenting with an algorithm free way to share snippets of photos, videos, and links. I borrowed the idea from Katherine May to start a What’s App channel.

    So far I’ve posted…

    A peek at some test prints. (The final versions of these will be going out to my quarterly print subscribers this month.)

    Tiny off centered test prints of letterpress style Your name sings in my ears quotes with leaf motif.

    And I shared that I was enjoying Different, Not Less by autistic author Chloé Hayden. Which I’ve now finished. This book deserves a full review, but in short it was an informative and affirming view of autism & ADHD. 10/10 would recommend.

    Different not Less by Chloe Hayden. Teal book with rainbows and butterflies held in a pale hand. House plants peek out behind.

    If you’d like little snippets like this you can follow through What’s App.

    It’s the kind of thing I’d post to social media, but completely algorithm & ad free.

    There are no comments. And I can’t even see who’s following me.

    Just a simple portal for small shares.

    Join me.

    Trading Zines 📮

    I’ve been doing my zine thing for about a year now without really finding the zine community. Recently I stumbled into a zine Discord (let me know if you want an invite) and suddenly found myself trading zines with other zinesters.

    If you’ve wandered around my homepage you may have noticed I have a section for alchemy (trade & barter) that isn’t set it up yet. (Boo chronic migraines!) But it’s pretty simple.

    If you’d like to trade (zine for zine, book for book, or some other creative swap) just let me know!

    Zine collection spread on table. Visible titles include: Offline, Taking Care of Yourself as an Artist Publisher, Practicing Microresistance in Conversations, Tea, Reality Has, Motherlore, etc. Zines are various sizes and colors. Many have black sharpie on white paper appearance. Others are typed. The most visible are a bright neon risograph texture of seaweed (on the artist publisher book) and a composition book style (the microaggressions book.) Links to each zine are listed below.
    My zine collection (newest zine babies not photographed yet.)

    I’m sure I’m forgetting something.

    I’ll probably end up posting it to my What’s App tomorrow.

    Three proofs of How it Feels to Me with a hand drawn figure surrounded by a halo of colorful objects. My typewriter, a succulent, and a stack of Spectrum zines are also visible.

    If you missed it, last week I shared some of the ways the autistic community needs your help right now and a short list of choose your adventure action items.

    Click here to read it.

    Thanks to everyone who reached out. I haven’t had the capacity to respond yet, but I appreciated each message and especially the two picture book preorders. 🥰

    There seem to be a lot of cruel people in the world right now.

    Thanks for being one of the helpers.

    Sarah signed with a swoopy S
    Read more: Things Bringing Me Joy ✨

  • Don’t skip this one. 🌻

    I have an important update today.

    But first, a peek inside my mental drafts folder…

    • 10 Years Post Autism Diagnosis
    • Finding Your Why (probably a zine)
    • Dynamic Disability (& new chronic illness diagnosis)
    • Embracing Supports (maybe a zine)
    • Discovering my Fiction Writing Process

    But I’m skipping over all of that for a time sensitive PSA.

    Tylenol does not cause autism.

    Big mistake.

    I logged back into Instagram after 8 months away.

    I couldn’t have chosen a worse time to do so.*

    Instagram (at least the current iteration) is dangerous to my mental health. What used to be a light hearted photo sharing app has now turned into another algorithmic dumpster fire.

    I tried everything.

    I blocked accounts, “curated” my feed, and did my best to train the algorithm. Near the end I even downloaded a social media blocking app to limit my usage to midday.

    I was already struggling.

    Then the autism news hit.

    Nope. I can’t be here. I’m out.

    I naively imagined that the next generation of autistics could grow up with less stigma. To know who they are and unabashedly ask for support.

    To see that progress purposefully eroded is gutting.

    My nervous system simply cannot handle the horrors and catastrophizing on endless algorithmic remix.

    And it’s not just autistics under attack. Every marginalized group is in real crisis right now. Science and education have been defunded.

    There is a new fresh horror every day.

    An embroidery frame holds a cross stitch that reads "I'm Fine". A second image shows the reverse which is a tangled mess of navy blue thread.
    Read I’m Fine – a digitized zine about self regulation & advocacy

    It’s easy to feel helpless when the world is on fire.

    That is what they want.

    But I’m not having it.

    Let’s self regulate and take one positive action.

    Together.

    My Action Steps

    Here’s what I can do.

    • Be autistic in public.
    • Model nervous system support for my fellow neurodivergent folks (and sensitive souls who may not even realize they are neurodivergent.)
    • Continue creating resources that educate about the autistic experience.
    My zine making area with Spectrum and Chaos Gardening zines, paper cutter, and watercolor wash circles.

    Your Action Steps

    If you want to be an ally here are ways to help.

    Choose 1 or 2.

    • Speak up when you hear misinformation and harmful rhetoric.
    • Share my Spectrum blog post or zine.
    • Contact your representatives. Tell them autism is not a disease to be cured.
    • Preorder How it Feels to Me (a picture book about sensory processing.) This is a crowdfunded project I am creating with autistic illustrator Gracie Klumpp.
    Three proofs of How it Feels to Me with a hand drawn figure surrounded by a halo of colorful objects. My typewriter, a succulent, and a stack of Spectrum zines are also visible.

    We just got a new set of proofs and are feeling very excited about next steps. After changing book binders we are a bit over budget – so if you preorder now it will be a big help.

    If you don’t need a book yourself you can also choose to donate your copy and we’ll be sure it gets to someone who needs it.

    PREORDER

    I’m feeling particularly vulnerable this week.

    If this email resonated I’d appreciate hearing from you.

    Take Care,

    Sarah signed with a swoopy S
    FOOTNOTES

    * Why did I do this? Because I met some cool people at the NWA Maker’s Faire and thought maybe I should try and better follow local creative events.

    Read more: Don’t skip this one. 🌻

  • The Neuro Nest Ep. 001

    Experimenting with a new podcast & community space.

    This episode is about managing neurodivergent capacity and shifting energy levels.

    Show Notes

    What is a Creative Ecosystem?

    Discover Your Creative Ecosystem (Paperback)

    Contact me to join the Neuro Nest Discord.

    —

    Subscribe via RSS in your favorite podcast app.

    Transcript here.

    Art by Gracie Klumpp: gracieklumpp.com

    Read more: The Neuro Nest Ep. 001

  • The Neuro Nest

    This project is still in testing mode.

    Contact me to join the first Neuro Nest cohort.

    Read more: The Neuro Nest

  • Neuro Nest Transcript Archive

    Episode 001. Neurodivergent Capacity.

    Episode 000. Rainy Day Test.

    Read more: Neuro Nest Transcript Archive

  • “How to Make a Zine” ✂️

    Black and white photograph of Make a Zine zine using vintage text and an illustrated pointing hand. Visible text reads: What is a zine? A zine is a handmade magazine. Usually about a specific topic. Say Something. Share it. You can share physical or digital copie. Post on a blog or make photocopies to trade or sell. Leave copies in little free libraries or send to zine archives.

    I made this zine for the NWA Maker Faire earlier this month. It’s a single sheet monochromatic zine that tells you how to get started if you’re brand new to zines.

    You can download a copy and print your own here.

    If you’d rather order a copy they are also stocked in my shop.

    August zine subscribers will be receiving a copy of How to Make a Zine along with September’s Hope zine. Thanks for your patience while I took compassionate leave last month.

    Read more: “How to Make a Zine” ✂️