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.

  • Maker Faire, Autism & New Books

    Maker Fair Check In

    Last weekend I ran a “Make a Zine” booth at the NWA Maker Faire.

    I brought supplies to make zines and also had a display of zines and books for sale. Lots of kids made zines! Three teens. One friend I invited.

    And one college student who made this zine. (I have permission to share.)

    Collaged zine cover reads A thousand miles from nowhere. Handwritten text with dates marked out in red are overlaid with a red flower in a vase surrouned by a handcut white border.
    Handwritten text reads: Ever since I started attending college I knew I didn't fit. I felt like a different species." A collage of bright yellow daisy type flowers is overlaid with a six petaled flower in a peach color. Handwritten text continues: Even now, teachers learning my face first feels like a confirmation, I trample through grass and mushrooms carving desire paths in my wake to get around people moving differently to me. A collage shows a path and yellow flowers, a cup of tea, and a tall glass window with lots of overlapping lines. Text continues: I'm always trying to make space. Space is glued in from a magazine. Writing continues: in a place not meant for me and for a goal I don't yet have. A gift tag is glued in: with love from blank to you. A math equation that means a line rising (I had to ask) points to the back cover.
    Back cover. Handwriting reads: But at the end of the day I sit in chemistry class with a friend. A black and white silhouette of a figure before a window is glued to the page and below it a rainbow.

    Thanks to everyone who dropped by my table.

    The whole event was a great experience.

    Full transparency: I didn’t make any money. I lost about $27 based on the table fee alone. But the money goes to a good cause. I’ll participate again next year.*

    The Autism Spectrum

    The zine that was picked up most often during the Maker Faire was my Spectrum zine about neurodivergence. While our goverment leaders are spreading such harmful misinformation about autism it feels more important than ever to do the opposite.

    You can read (and share) the blog version of the zine here.

    Two zines and magazine clippings on a wooden desk with scissors, gluestick and pencils. Both zines titles are cut out magazine letters: Chaos Gardening with leaf rubbings and Spectrum with a hand painted watercolor color wheel.

    I have a few misprints of my Spectrum zine printed on the wrong paper. Completely readable, but the images bleed through more than I like.

    If you would like to distribute Spectrum zines (either publicly or to friends and family) let me know and I’ll send you a stack of misprints for free.

    You can also browse my library of resources for autism & neurodivergence.

    Whatever our world leaders say we are NOT a horror show.

    Our brains are sensitive, but powerful when given needed supports.

    What is a zine?

    I made a special zine for this event (and September’s zine subscribers) called “How to Make a Zine”.

    And a brand new blog post called What is a Zine? where I share resources on making zines and a peek at my own zine collection.

    Read it here.

    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.

    New paperbacks!

    I’ve been working for months on a second edition of Discover Your Creative Ecosystem. And the Maker Faire moved up my timeline.

    This second edition has minor edits (most notably an expanded section about purpose), my new headshot, updated bio, and they/them pronouns.

    These paperbacks are printed by 48 Hour Books and live in my closet. They will each be packaged and mailed by me personally. So I’m happy to sign and personalize them if you like.

    Buy a copy here.

    They are $15 – which is the lowest my book has ever been available for purchase.

    Tap below to watch me flip through the spacious full color interior.

    If you’ve bought the original edition I’ll be sending an ebook version of the updated text soon.

    There was a printing issue with the hardcovers, but I should have those back in stock before the end of the month.

    I’ll be updating Self Publishing 101 soon. I’ve nearly finished testing several Amazon alternatives. They all have pros and cons so which printer is best for your book depends on your goals and budget.

    An invitation to draw together. 🍉

    I’m sending this email earlier than usual because there’s an event this week I want you to know about. Hanna Keiner and Logan Juliano, PhD are hosting a meditative drawing livestream on Thursday, September 11 called Where Do You Draw the Line?

    The event is free, but everyone will be invited to take action from my Palestine Advocacy page in lieu of payment. (There are many ways to make a difference even if you don’t have the budget to contribute financially.)

    I’m really grateful for my advocacy library to be used in this way.

    If you host a similar event or link to it please let me know.

    Ink drawing by Hanna Keiner. Sinuous lines that evoke smoke or waves.
    Image Credit: Hanna Keiner

    That’s all for this week.

    Take care of yourselves. I appreciate you.

    Sarah signed with a swoopy S
    FOOTNOTES

    * I enjoyed meeting the other vendors so much I’ve logged in to Instagram after 8 months off social media. I’d like to be able to more closely follow local events and those I met at NWA Maker Faire. This is a trial period to see if curation, boundaries, and tweaking advertisements can make it a more positive experience. I much prefer RSS, but when there is to RSS feed for certain groups and events I am just missing out.

    Read more: Maker Faire, Autism & New Books

  • What is a zine?

    What is a zine?

    A zine (pronounced ZEEN) is a handmade magazine about a specific topic.

    “Zines have been around since the early 20th century, and have been an enormous part of underground and non-commercial publication.” *

    I learned about zines from Austin Kleon who has a great collection of printables zines and resources on his website. He also has a tutorial to make a “mini zine” from a single sheet of paper.

    Having tried both ways I prefer to make zines out of sheets folded in half. Sometimes I use a single page and other times I nest and staple them.

    Photo of my desk with TETRIS and Wheel of Time Zines, scraps, ink and blue Aes Sedai mug

    “Zines are characteristically cheap to make, often photocopied, and have a distinctly DIY look. Often, they represent the voices of people on the fringes, and their content is hyper local.” *

    Zines were bore to share information and amplify voices that weren’t often represented in mainstream media. As a result, zine making has a rich history among marginalized communities, fandoms, and activists.

    If you want a deep dive into the history of zines and how to make your own I recommend this free zine by The Public in Canada.

    Zinesters (people who make zines) often value the act of sharing information over an potential profit. Zines are made cheaply so they can be easily sold, traded or given away.

    Zines fall into the cheap art philosophy which I’m passionate about.

    Art is for everyone.

    The why cheap art manifesto. People have been thinking too long that art is a privilege of the museums and the rich. Art is not business! It does not belong to banks and fancy investors. Art is food. You can't eat it but it feeds you. Art has to be cheap and available to everybody. It needs to be everywhere because it is inside of the world. Art soothes pain. Art wakes up sleepers. Art fights against war and stupidity. Art sings hallelujah! Art is for kitchens! Art is like good brea! Art is like green trees! Art is like white clouds in the blue sky! Art is cheap! Hurrah! Bread and Puppet Glover, Vermont. 1984.

    Purchase this print from Bread & Puppet.

    Use What You Have

    Zines are an indie solution to sharing information. Use what you have access to.

    Paper, markers, stamps, paints, stickers, tape.

    Photocopy, scan, or photograph.

    Or make your zine digitally.

    Share your zine online or print copies to sell, trade, or give away.

    Would you like to trade with me? Reach out and let me know!

    I also have a monthly subscription if you’d like a new zine each month.

    My zine making area with Spectrum and Chaos Gardening zines, paper cutter, and watercolor wash circles.

    Artist Publishing

    Zine making is just one kind of artist publishing. Any type of independently produced book or publication is a form of artist publishing. This can range from self publishing books, newspapers, zines, or artist books.

    Artist books often embrace time intensive methods and archival quality materials. As a result they are often more highly priced.

    If you’d like to learn more about artist publishing I’d recommend starting here. Or browsing my artist publishing board on are.na.

    I’ve been focused on zine making, but collect both zines and artist books. I may explore creating an artist book when I complete my fine art collection.

    My Zine Collection

    Here’s a peek at my zine collection and links to the artist’s shops.

    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.

    Free Printable Zines!

    Artist Books

    Zine Archives

    There are lots of places online and “IRL” (in real life) that are dedicated to archiving zines. If you’d like to archive your zine you can check with any of the organizations below, your local library, or upload to archive.org (like this.) Every archive has it’s own mission so be sure to make sure your zine is a good fit before submitting.

    More Inspiration

    Footnotes

    * A History of Zines. River H. Kero. bookriot.com/history-of-zines/

    Read more: What is a zine?

  • Art for Social Change

    “I wish it need not have happened in my time,” said Frodo.


    “So do I,” said Gandalf, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”

    We can’t single-handedly solve all of the world’s problems. But we can collaborate with others to make a difference. We each have our own unique strengths to contribute.

    Art for Social Change

    • Tell a story to imagine a better world.

    • Draw, paint, collage, or print visual art to raise awareness of issues.

    • Write a zine, book, or blog post to educate others to share your own experience (especially powerful and needed for marginalized voices.)

    • Collaborate to paint a mural or create pubic art.

    • Hold a quilting bee or host a creative community to make blankets, hats, etc. for those who need them.

    • Tell a story, write a poem, or make art that encourages empathy.

    • Make a poster, zine, or postcard about a cause.

    • Make art to regulate your own nervous system.

    • Curate an art show, publication, or performance to support or educate about a cause.

    • Raffle or sell something you’ve made to raise funds.

    • Sell merch on Threadless with a percentage to charity.*
    Two round pins. One is a blue and teal nebula with a white infinity symbol. The other is a watercolor wash of rainbow colors in a color wheel spectrum. Typewritten text is collaged on top that says, "autism is a spectrum."

    You can grab these designs on shirts, mugs, and several other things from my new Threadless shop. 10% of the profit will go to the ACLU.

    Love snail mail?

    This is a virtual edition of my Art for Social Change zine for my monthly subscribers.

    If you’d like a printed copy (plus postcards + stamps to write your elected representatives) you can:

    order a zine
    Art for Social Change zine and typewritten postcards. Vintage buttons are on the cover including a yellow Buzzy Bee "be a helper", "try a little kindness", a retro earth pin that says "Don't blow it." an infinity symbol on an outer space badge, "bread not bombs" with a red flower", "yeah rights" in rainbow colors, "I'm on earth duty" and "I'm for wildlife" with a bird and wildflowers.
    FOOTNOTES

    * Threadless makes this so easy, automates the donation process, and matches donations up to $1 per sale. Learn more here.

    Read more: Art for Social Change
  • My zine making area with Spectrum and Chaos Gardening zines, paper cutter, and watercolor wash circles.

    Restocking the zine shop!

    Read more: untitled post 156079127

  • “On the Spectrum”

    When we talk about autism or neurodivergence we often mention a spectrum. Sometimes this is misunderstood as a range of intensity from “more” to “less.”

    Gradient fading from pink to white

    But you cannot be “more” or “less” autistic or neurodivergent.

    The spectrum is better represented by a color wheel.*

    Digital color wheel with gradients of all colors fading into each other in a circle.

    The spectrum is a reminder that every neurodivergent person is unique. Each color represents a neurodivergent trait: differences in sensory processing, language, socializing, focus, etc.

    But even the color wheel is too static.

    This is my attempt to illustrate the complexity and nuance of the spectrum of autism and neurodivergence.

    Watercolor illustration of the autism spectrum. A rainbow of colors blending into one another like a color wheel.

    For example, sometimes a person is described as sensory seeking or sensory avoidant.

    Opposites on the color wheel.

    But most of us are both.

    Here is an example from my own spectrum. I experience water in my face as overstimulation… a sensation that, for me, is worse than physical pain. My nervous system completely floods with sensory input and enters a state of distress.

    Bright red ink wash in a red circle with a small pink area near the center where red bleeds into white. There is also a cracked area where too much ink pooled in one place.

    On the other hand, in the context of a warm bath I am “sensory seeking”. The feeling of being (almost) submerged in warm water calms my nervous system and helps me self regulate.

    Bright green ink wash in a circle darker on edges and fading to white left of center.

    This is the same element.

    Water.

    But my internal experience is vastly different depending on the context. Supporting this sensitivity includes baths over showers, no sprinklers, pool splashing, or going underwater. When I interact with water on my own terms I find it deeply regulating and soothing.

    Then we have a trait like focus. ADHD is often perceived as a deficit in the ability to focus (it’s right there in the name), but both people with autism and ADHD can experience hyperfocus.

    This circle represents my hyperfocus.

    Deep purple ink wash in the shape of a circle bleeding to white in an irregular shape toward the center.

    I often enter hyperfocus when I am in creative flow or engaged with topics I am passionate about. Yet, I cannot reach hyperfocus without the necessary environment or supports.

    This circle represents my difficulty focusing.

    Bright yellow ink wash circle with drip bleeding off bottom edge and very little white in an irregular shape toward the right middle.

    My ideal environment for focus is quiet and solitude. (For others it could be music and company… or body doubling.)

    When I don’t have that I need supports like: a swivel chair for stimming, noise cancelling headphones, and more time. Because without access to hyperfocus I have to accept that tasks take more time. I can also become dysregulated by working in an overstimulating environment.

    The spectrum becomes infinitely more complex when different traits overlap and intersect.

    Watercolor washes of blue green and pink bleed into one another creating a deep blue toward the left with feathered edges of pink and green creating an incomplete circle.

    Not only is every neurodivergent human unique, but our spectrums may present differently from day to day and moment to moment, based on a variety of internal and external factors.

    Some spectrums of neurodivergence may not fit the criteria for a diagnosis, but that does not make them any less valid.

    Watercolor wash circle of blue bleeding into green. The shades infuse into one another and create rivulets that are reminiscent of the planet earth.

    Our world is technicolor.

    Let’s stop imagining it as black and white.

    Grab some art supplies and reflect on neurodiversity as you play with color. If you are neurodivergent what colors would you assign each of your traits? If you’re neurotypical how can you use this framework to support the spectrums in your life?

    Watercolor washes of blue and purple with deep purple toward each edge and feathery blue across the center.
    My zine making area with Spectrum and Chaos Gardening zines, paper cutter, and watercolor wash circles.

    Love snail mail?

    These watercolor washes were originally created for the Spectrum zine for my monthly subscribers. If you’d like a printed copy you can:

    order a zine

    Want to learn more?

    Check out my posts about autism and neurodivergence.

    What is autism?
    Neurodiversity Affirming Resource Library

    Keep in Touch

    Subscribe for love letters to creativity and neurodivergence.

    Open airmail envelope with blue and green stripes
    Footnotes

    * I believe this concept was first represented by autistic artist Anouk here (@autistic_sketches on Instagram.)

    † Another visual I love for the spectrum of neurodivergence is this moving spectrum by Felipe Pantone on Instagram.

    Read more: “On the Spectrum”

  • Chaos Gardening & Neurodivergence

    This month’s zine is Chaos Gardening: tips from a chronically ill & neurodivergent gardener.

    You can buy a copy or subscribe for monthly zines.*

    If you want a peek at my own chaos garden I’ve posted several photos and videos on my microblog.†

    Here is the wild bunny that’s taken up residence under my art studio (which I named The Rabbit Hole before this beauty moved in.)

    How it Feels to Me

    Here’s an update, on How it Feels to Me, the picture book about neurodiversity I’m co-creating with illustrator Gracie Klumpp.

    We’ve reached the proofing stage! I couldn’t be more excited to share a peek our progress.

    Click here to see more!

    Cover design test for How it Feels to Me - a cream cover with swatches of colors: blues, greens, oranges, the title and a dark skinned human standing at the center surrounded by a halo of objects: tokens, leaves, a traffic cone, seashell, and more color swatches. Written by Sarah Shotts. Illustrated by Gracie Klumpp. Proof #1.

    Unfortunately, this book is needed more than ever.

    Harmful information is being spread by the US government categorizing autism and ADHD as epidemics. Neurodiversity is not a broken brain! It is a brain that experiences the world differently and this picture book shows how.

    If you’d like to support the project you can preorder or donate a copy to a school, library, or a neurodivergent family in financial hardship.**

    PREORDER OR DONATE A COPY

    What is autism?

    If you missed my last email I wrote a post called What is Autism? that breaks down sensory processing and autistic differences.

    Two brain scans. The one on the left is a rainbow web reaching into all areas of the brain. The image on the right is a rainbow ribbon traveling along the language center of the brain.
    The brain on the left is autistic.
    we process a lot more information in any given moment.

    I end the post with this footnote,

    “Being neurotypical just means that your brain is processing the world like most others. This means the dominant culture has been made to support the way your brain processes the world around you. You are surrounded by supports for your neurotype every single day.”

    This is a concept I’d like to explore further. It really turns the idea of supports on it’s head.

    Click here to read the whole post.

    Novel Writing

    I finally finished the mood board for my fantasy novel.

    I’ve hung this right in my living room so it can stay in my consciousness.

    You can see the timelapse where I make it here.

    I’ve come to the conclusion I need to free up some mental capacity to really delve into this world in the way that’s needed. Turns out proofing three separate books for self publishing is kind of a lot. I’m being patient with myself. There’s no rush on this.

    Here’s a peek at my writing workspace.

    Laptop with yellow hobbit hole wallpaper. An edison bulb lamp sheds a dim golden glow on a goddess vase filled with pens. The workspace is otherwise shrouded in darkness.

    I set this up in the living room when it was too cold to be in the studio (and soon it will be too hot.) It turns out that extreme heat and cold trigger migraines so I’m afraid I am a fair weather studio artist. Accepting that my body needs what it needs means making spaces that work for me.

    I love seeing my zines land in your life.

    Here are a few photos you’ve sent me recently.

    Oh, did I mention I’ve started printmaking again?

    My I'm Fine zine, Wheel of Time mini zine and a campfire linocut print lay on a table by a row of blue and green books.
    A hand holding my Choose Your Adventure zine while wearing colorful yellow pants, striped shirt, and yellow shoes.

    Shoutout to A. Wilder and Paige Meredith Ray. You should visit their blogs.

    Ways to Support drawing of a white rabbit hopping into flowers

    The Compost Heap is handmade without the use of AI. 🐝

    Support doing things the old fashioned way by joining my Patrons ($5) and I’ll send paper zines each month with the coolest postage stamps I can find.

    Drawing of a tin can telephone and the words Let's chat

    If you’re reading this in your email inbox you can just hit reply to message me directly. I’d love to hear what you think. It makes it worth the time I put in.

    Thanks for being here.

    I appreciate you.

    Sarah signed with a swoopy S
    FOOTNOTES

    * I’m no longer digitizing zines. Due to chronic migraines I’m attempting to cut down on screentime. I wrote a bit about that here.

    † What is a microblog? Basically a social media style blog feed that I archive on my own site. I’m working on setting this up to autopost to Bluesky. I call my microblog scraps – evoking both a scrapbook or commonplace book and also the bits of kitchen scrap that end up in the compost heap.

    ** If you donate a book we are happy to find the book a home or to send it to the school or library of your choice.

    Read more: Chaos Gardening & Neurodivergence

  • Chaos Gardening: Tips from a Chronically Ill & Neurodivergent Gardener

    Chaos Gardening black and white zine among blooming daisies in my garden. The title is cut out magazine letters and peony leaf rubbings are overlaid. The subtitle readers: tips from a chronically ill and neurodivergent gardener.

    I think I’m finding my groove with zine making. I had a lot of fun going analogue this month and in addition to my typewriter I also incorporated collage and nature rubbings.

    BUY A ZINE

    Or subscribe for zines delivered to your mailbox every month.

    The back of the zine. You can read some text typed on my typewriter and see peony leaf rubbings. The text reads: VI. No dig• A few strategies I use to minimize pain are: No dig garden beds (areas with soil piled on cardboard). Cardboard lined raised beds. A low gardeningstool (B to avoid back pain & dizziness). Suppressing weeds (minimizing weeding) with cardboard or spare paving stones. Anything that will block sunlight & not blow away will do. A Kindle Curiosity Zine. May 2025.

    Read more: Chaos Gardening: Tips from a Chronically Ill & Neurodivergent Gardener

  • I love seeing my zines land in your life!

    My I'm Fine zine, Wheel of Time mini zine and a campfire linocut print lay on a table by a row of blue and green books.
    A hand holding my Choose Your Adventure zine while wearing colorful yellow pants, striped shirt, and yellow shoes.
    My Not About Tetris and I'm Fine zine lay in a pile with an Angel Oak postcard, hobbit hole magnet, dinosaur connect the dots, and paperback of Notes on a Life by Eleanor Coppola.

    Thanks for sharing your photos!

    Read more: I love seeing my zines land in your life!

  • “Hey, I work with college students often. Do you know what brings their attention back to the surface after years of Zoom classes, Generative AI cheating, and smart phone usage? 

    Zines. Freaking zines. You put a zine in an undergraduate’s hands and say “Someone like you made this. You could make this. All you need is some found images, paper, scissors/glue, and your own imagination. No chatgpt necessary.” 

    They light up, every single time, without fail. They start to recognize how little Generative AI serves them in the long run. They’ve called zines “Anti-AI” to my face and gleefully showed me their first zines with thought, intention, and inventiveness. 

    Critical thinking isn’t dead in the land of zines. It’s thriving. Academia has to pivot, as much as I loathe that corporate term.”

    Abigail Schleifer via Substack Notes

    See also: What Are Zines? by Abigail Schleifer

    Read more: untitled post 156078879

  • “The best time to establish alternative, non-algorithmic networks of communication & affinity was five years ago.

    The second best time is today!

    Over the years, I’ve distributed many zines through the mail. Those have been one-off productions, which is to say, pageants of minor chaos, always with the sense, as the last zine went out the door, of skidding into home plate.

    The best time to estab­lish alternative, non-algorithmic net­works of com­mu­ni­ca­tion — to forge durable links in phys­ical space — to insist upon the demo­c­ratic neces­sity of a muscular, uni­versal postal ser­vice — was five years ago.

    The second best time is today.”

    Robin Sloan

    Read more: untitled post 156078831