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.)
If you’d prefer to buy a physical copy you can do so here or join my zine subscription before the end of November.
Decorated the studio for Christmas today. 🎄
Caught up on my novel writing.
A few years ago I started making artwork with a gallery setting in mind (rather than Instagram.) That completely changed the kinds of things I was making.
I started the series My Brain on Motherhood and have been in over 10 fine art exhibitions. That never would have happened if I kept making art “for” the Internet.
The platform that we create for work for informs the work.
Earlier this year, I stopped writing paywalled posts for paying supporters and started sending letters in the mail.
Changing the medium of the message has made that work feel more personal and also more like human connection and less like work. So I’ve been wondering how to bring that energy to what I’m making here.
To test it out I’ve typed up I am not a brand. I’m a human. as a zine.
This will be going out to my paid supporters this month as an experiment. (You can sub for as little as $3 a month via Patreon.) I’ll might alternate letters and zines depending on what I have to say.
Once made the work with an art gallery in mind – I can then share it on Instagram. (My “I’m Fine” cross stitch actually went low key viral.)
But the frame in which I formulate ideas changes what I make.
So when I say I’m going “analogue” I’m thinking of creating physical zines on my typewriter. That’s the medium. I’ll send paper copies to paying supporters (a sliding scale starting at $3 a month.)
Once I’ve made that I can then archive digital versions of that zine on my website or Internet Archive (like this). I’ll send fewer emails (monthly or quarterly) that point directly to my website and / or compost heap. So the email newsletter becomes a channel to share my work and not the medium of the work itself.
(How does that sound Seth Werkheiser?)
I’ve been circling around this idea for months now and I finally discovered Mail Blog and it inspired me to give it a go.
If you’re considering how creating for the Internet in general is informing your work I’d really recommend the book The Medium is the Message by Marshall McLuhan.
Meanwhile here are a few updates from my creative ecosystem.
First up, Entwined has gone to the editor!
I’m also taking a course on sensory regulation with my partner. David and I are painting these sensory regulation cards and I’m very excited about them. (I don’t have it handy, but let me know if you’d like an affiliate link.)
A lot of creative energy is also going into creating spaces for learning.
And I’m also using our new laser printer to design our own handwriting sheets. (We’re saving the paper for a recycled paper bookmark project I’ve been ideating for about 5 years.)
I also made this Wheel of Time inspired snowflake for WoTtober
Our garden is completely feral.
But these volunteer tomatoes are VERY happy.
Inspired by Hayley Dunlop I thought I might share more of the picture books we’re reading. This one has been a big hit. (No loose teeth yet, but we’re preparing to understand when it does happen.)
You can see another example of The Medium is the Message by these flashbacks to the time I was a “YouTuber.” I’m exhausted just thinking about trying to mask as much as I did in 2016.
How to Make Leaf Rubbings on YouTube
October Favorites 2016 on YouTube
via Double Double Toil and Trouble an October roundup post on Substack from 2022.
Leave a comment (it’s free!)
The Internet is like a tin can telephone. It’s just a rusty can until someone talks back.
What are you making? What are you growing? What are you finding inspiring?
Hit reply and let me know.
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. 🐞
I’m still writing a novel so I’m keeping this short and sweet.
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.
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!
Many thanks to Nathaniel Roy of A Book Designer’s Notebook for generously recording How to Collaborate with a Book Designer.
There is also a new indie author spotlight featuring fantasy novelist B. S. H. Garcia (Part One & Part Two.)
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. 🌱
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. ☕️
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.
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.
Meanwhile you are welcome to reach out, but I am unlikely to respond in a timely fashion. November is for noveling.
Cheers,
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. 🐞
Originally published on Substack November 20, 2024
Writing my way out.
Painting autumnal leaves for fine motor and art lessons this week. 🍁