The Imaginary Word
Comes Back! (Like that cat)
Sometimes, life circles around
A long time ago, when I was just poking around the internet, in the early aughts (I think that’s the right term anyway), I ran a little review newsletter called The Imaginary Word where I pointed to all of my favorite things to read and listen to every months. That fell by the wayside when life decided my schedule needed to be a bit different for a while. Being in need of a newsletter, I still can’t think of a better name so, that’s what I’m going with. I can’t remember how many “issues” there were or how many years I kept it going so, I’m starting the count over.
Imaginary Word #1
I’ve been writing stories and getting published for a long time but newsletters always felt more involved than I could do but now, the kids are older, the dogs are older, and I’ve gotten some better at planning (we'll have to wait and see if it sticks). Since the last Imaginary Word ran, I’ve had four novels, a short story collection, a book of poetry, several essays, and who knows how many short stories and poems published. I’ve succeeded at some things, failed at more, but the key for me has always been tenacity.
As We Go
For right now, I’m aiming for once a month but that may change as time goes by. I might find, like I did with the first Imaginary Word, that I really enjoy it. Now, this is a lot different, I’m not scouring every free litmag and ezine for interesting poems or stories as I did then but I am hoping to bring you interesting things from my own work and from the work of people I admire.
What can you expect from me?
Newsletters are for news so that’s what you’ll get. You’ll know where I’m planning to set up my table of books. You’ll get to know what I’m writing, what I’m reading, what I’m making, what I’m eating. I’ll probably have a section meant for other writers also - be it prompts or calls for submissions that look interesting or the like.
For the time being, I’m aiming at sending the newsletter out in the last two days of the previous month - so this would be the news for July and in the last few days of July, I’ll send the news for August. Over time I imagine this will get tweaked a bit but this is where I’m starting.
In the future, I’ll be including more about what I’m working on, including special sneak peeks, poetry, full short stories. I have some goals in mind - when I reach a certain number of subscribers I’ll put up something extra special you won’t find anywhere but here.
What I Am Reading:
This isn’t a list of everything I’m reading but the highlights:
Tales of Old Ireland Retold by Lora O’Brien
Poetic Meditations for the Astrological Journey - Adult Coloring Book by Anjali Soi
This one isn’t one I’m reading yet but it’s one that a friend of mine wrote and is tops on my wishlist and coming out in October 2023: The Just Kitchen: Invitations to Sustainability, Cooking, Connection, And Celebration by Derrick Weston and Anna Woofenden
Where will I be in July 2023?
I have two local to me markets in July - first Cove Community Market on July 8th in Weirton, WV and second at the Hancock County Parks and Rec Ye Olde Medieval Fest on July 15th. I’ll have all my books with me. If you’re in the area, I’d love it if you came and said hello!
Crow’s Hollow Corner:
When I’m not writing, I’m still making … something. Be it soap, salves, potions, lotions, art, or teas. I am a woman of wide and varied interests. I’m currently working on something completely new and different for me - I’m rendering down some bear fat I was given and I’m really hoping to get enough to do a nice loaf of soap and a batch of salve. While most of my creations eventually make it into my shop or at local markets, I’m not sure about this one - I might make a very few available but I don’t know when I’ll ever get my hands on bear fat again (and buying it is out of the question starting at roughly $40/pound (or $40/453 grams).