Unveiling The Little Periodical
a pocket-sized publication
Morning darklings,
In October, I made a thing—a collection of prompts for embodied writing. It came out all in one evening. I shared it with my therapist, as one does, and she loved it.
Over the next few days, I made two more.
That was it. I was done. They were done. Small, easy to hold, filled with questions that had the hubs, my therapist, and the few friends I showed get big eyes.
It brought up a lot for these people. My friends had stories to share with me. And who knows, my therapist may have had a very interesting dinner conversation that night. It felt good. I sparked something in a few people. I would share these at some point, eventually, maybe, probably.
My friend and I recently had started collaging together, something I hadn't done in so long. Now and then, I'd look at the table I collaged and covered in resin when I still lived at home and think, do that again. But until she suggested it, I rarely did.
After the prompt books, after the good conversations, after the hours and hours my hands stayed shaped like I was still holding scissors, I couldn't stop thinking about collages.
In November, you may remember me sharing that I was making periodicals at my retreat. There was an outpouring of creativity I hadn't had in a while. Collages, poems, snippets of words and thoughts, stories. I even started taking photographs in a new way.
I still wasn't sure, even after I'd given the whole project a name—The Little Periodical—that I was going to do anything with it. So many of my projects go in the closet. So many of my works stay on my computer. So much of me never gets seen.
But these kept coming.
One story at a time. One theme at a time. They are different from the prompt books—related but not the same.
Here we are three and a half months later, and I'm unveiling the monthly publication of this brain baby. Normally, I have an end point to a project. For this, I only have a beginning and a promise of years.
The eventually, maybe, probably prompt books have also turned into a promise of publication. They will be separate, though.
As for The Little Periodical? Issue #1 comes out April 1st! I'm so thrilled!
The issues range from discussions of the body to stories of meet-cutes to just pretty things—all through collage, words, and photographs. The credits page is insane for some of these, which brings me a lot of joy. So many photographers and artists shared their work so that I could make something new for you.
It's analog and subscription only for now. Every few months, a special sticker will come along with it as well. It's going to be such a fun ride. I hope you'll join me!
OFFICIAL DESCRIPTION
Do you enjoy analog things?
Maybe when something comes in the mail with your name on it, you'd like it to actually be for you, not just to an address or credit score. Not just spam, but a real, honest-to-Betty-White something you'd enjoy getting?
If so, The Little Periodical might be for you!
Once a month, you'll get a pocket-sized publication in your mailbox. Every few issues come with a special edition sticker too! And of course the first month will have one!
You can expect to see a variety of content—from dark fiction, speculative, or romance fiction stories told through photographs, collages, and words to explorations into the status quo and discussions of disability, joy, grief, love, feminism, and more.
Issue #1
synopsis
Bodies are strange
and wondrous
and horrible.
My insides are soft and slick and warm,
like yours. / My outsides are imperfect,
like yours.
We are enough as we are. / Have you figured that out for yourself yet?
Come, see through the eyes of a spoonie.
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*I'll announce the upcoming issue in a special TLP newsletter on the last day of every month (this being an exception).
speaking of...
That website of mine.
If you go to it and access your member portal, you can choose what you'd like to hear from me. Do you only want to get the most important news (like this)? Or are you happy as is, with everything (my essays and mood boards)? Maybe you enjoy the frequency but don't need The Little Periodical updates. You can control that.
Also, logged in, you can comment on the blog.
I have noticed myself using blog and newsletter interchangeably. So to differentiate, blog is where all of these newsletters go (the location on my website), newsletter is what hits your inbox. Does that make sense? Will I keep to that? I don't know. I'm still working through being able to control so much. Also, I'm an island. No stumble upon option when you aren't connected to a massive company.
So please share this newsletter or just the entire blog, share The Little Periodical (or buy a subscription for your loved one), review a book. It's grassroots, but it feels better than feeding the machine.
◗ Oh, and before I head off, here is a little more reading material for you: a list of the best magical realism books that’ll stick to your ribs according to me.
Until next time, harness the Little darknesses and embrace the Little things.
