I love this, so many good takeaways! And I just want to add that Chloe Caldwell's Women is such a fabulous example of your theory that "it’s not writer » publication » audience, it’s reader » reader « reader."
Your values about writing and the writing world and readers and conversation and connection feeds my heart and is also real balm to my heartache. The spiritual part is missing and you are illuminating that. Writing is heart expressing, and reading is heart absorbing. Two hearts in relationship, conversing with each other, an actual (I believe this) energy exchange - an intimate dance of consciousness between writer and reader - through the magical medium of print. It's so simple and also profound, that as a reader you are truly in relationship with that writer's mind and heart energy emanating from the page. Yet this whole industry - gatekeeping, exclusivity, ego nurture - has crusted over and painfully obfuscated that core essential and spiritual relationship. It hurts me. And you are writing about the pain here and it is pain because the tricks and illusions are divorcing writers from what really matters, what is most fulfilling, where the true meaning is. It is dividing writers and readers by lifting up and celebrating ego rewards over relationship, over communion, over love, over healing - which is what writing is meant to be. Which is exactly what your newsletter is creating between us. Your heart writes, my heart reads - recognizes the truth it needs - and both of us are stronger because of it. Thank you, Cassie.
Summer, you've always had the greatest way with words, this made me miss your essays so, so much. I hope your heart is writing so that my heart can read. <3
I also just love this idea of energy exchange, I totally agree! It's the HE(ART) part!
A year ago today, I flew from Indiana to Portland, OR to meet two other authors of women's soccer books (mine is a graphic memoir of being a goalkeeper in the early years of Title IX), and we had a dream of a weekend: we did a book event at the Sports Bra (they created a drink in hour honor--"The Page Turner")! and we did a book talk with the Portland Thorns supporter group then went to the game together! and had book sales at both events by the legendary Powell's!
Your story of your author client exchanging giddy emails is exactly what happened with us. It all started with me sliding into their DMs to see if we could partner on something. It was such a cool and communal experience, and I'm still in touch with the other authors and the folks we met there. Thanks for this perspective!
I love this, so many good takeaways! And I just want to add that Chloe Caldwell's Women is such a fabulous example of your theory that "it’s not writer » publication » audience, it’s reader » reader « reader."
This is a really great explanation of building a community of readers, instead of hunting for consumers.
Such a great way to put it, Dawn!
I totally love your vibe. Thank you for this helpful and beautiful article.
Back at you, Marta!
Your values about writing and the writing world and readers and conversation and connection feeds my heart and is also real balm to my heartache. The spiritual part is missing and you are illuminating that. Writing is heart expressing, and reading is heart absorbing. Two hearts in relationship, conversing with each other, an actual (I believe this) energy exchange - an intimate dance of consciousness between writer and reader - through the magical medium of print. It's so simple and also profound, that as a reader you are truly in relationship with that writer's mind and heart energy emanating from the page. Yet this whole industry - gatekeeping, exclusivity, ego nurture - has crusted over and painfully obfuscated that core essential and spiritual relationship. It hurts me. And you are writing about the pain here and it is pain because the tricks and illusions are divorcing writers from what really matters, what is most fulfilling, where the true meaning is. It is dividing writers and readers by lifting up and celebrating ego rewards over relationship, over communion, over love, over healing - which is what writing is meant to be. Which is exactly what your newsletter is creating between us. Your heart writes, my heart reads - recognizes the truth it needs - and both of us are stronger because of it. Thank you, Cassie.
Summer, you've always had the greatest way with words, this made me miss your essays so, so much. I hope your heart is writing so that my heart can read. <3
I also just love this idea of energy exchange, I totally agree! It's the HE(ART) part!
A year ago today, I flew from Indiana to Portland, OR to meet two other authors of women's soccer books (mine is a graphic memoir of being a goalkeeper in the early years of Title IX), and we had a dream of a weekend: we did a book event at the Sports Bra (they created a drink in hour honor--"The Page Turner")! and we did a book talk with the Portland Thorns supporter group then went to the game together! and had book sales at both events by the legendary Powell's!
Your story of your author client exchanging giddy emails is exactly what happened with us. It all started with me sliding into their DMs to see if we could partner on something. It was such a cool and communal experience, and I'm still in touch with the other authors and the folks we met there. Thanks for this perspective!
Ah I love this!! It sounds so celebratory, and also how kismet--a year ago today! Everyone deserves a drink named in their honor too. :)