In October, I posted on my social media about my decision to pull A Life of Suicides (one of my first published books) from print.
This wee book is going through revisions and edits now. I knew I’d be mortified as soon as I looked at it! And again, I apologise to my readers for the errors. I’ve been on a continuous journey of learning and refining my craft(s), with much improvement since that book was published in 2018.
If you picked up A Life of Suicides before it was pulled, I’d like to offer a complimentary digital copy of the revised edition when it’s released—please reach out with proof of purchase (if you bought from me direct and don’t have a receipt, message me, I’ll remember you!).
The new, vastly improved second edition will be wrapped up by gorgeous original art by Don Noble of Rooster Republic Press.
There is an increasing expectation for free art (visual and written) in exchange for (often mythical) exposure. Hell, I’ve been asked for it. And in early people-pleasing naivety, I’ve done it. Now, with a fair bit of experience, I have to ask (as should you if approached),
dae a look like a’m buttoned up the back?
How can one claim to value and support artists, yet expect to be given it (often to sell) for free?
This work in exchange for exposure does not support artists; it takes advantage of them. Any business that collects work from artists in such a manner is highly suspect. If the exposure is so good, they should be able to pay for the work, right?
Those who seek this exchange don’t value the time and energy it takes to create. They don’t care about the artist or the art if they don’t respect it enough to pay for the crafting of it.
I’ve been asked before (and know many other independent writers and artists get this too) where the best place to buy my work is. The only way to be sure the artist is getting paid is to buy from them directly. It’s always a bit more personal, too.
Call me crazy, but imagine walking into a jewellery store and offering to take away their priciest diamond necklace—saying you’ll wear it to help the store gain ‘exposure’ if they give it to you for free. It is theft.
Asking for (and expecting) work for exposure is creative exploitation of the artist. This is not a professional approach to business. This approach exposes the business as one that lacks integrity or respect for the artist whose work it wants to use to build or prop itself on. This ‘business’ is full of grifters, chancers, shameless swindlers.
Artists work hard, we sacrifice, we lose our minds sometimes, and many of us under charge for the hours and blood we pour in. If you want to be sure the artist is getting paid when you pick up their work, buy direct from them when you can. This way, you can almost be sure no one is in the middle taking advantage or shaving a lump off for doing nothing to actually create the work.
These are the markets where you can find me loitering behind a table this month. If you fancied picking up a wee book or two direct from me, you know where to find me. I’ll have some framed art prints and a few original framed OOAK pieces as well. As always, I carry limited hardcovers to events, so if you want any of those, you are welcome to order in advance to avoid disappointment. Just drop me a direct message / email.
Titles that I’ll have on hand:
#BeBrazen Autumn Equinox Edition
#BeBrazen Summer Solstice Edition
Delevan House
Clan Witch: Found Shadows
Incesticide: Collected Horror
Murmur: Collected Horror
Asylum Daughter
A Life of Suicides
Concoction V1
Concoction V2
One Step Forward, Two Steps Back: A story of love & survival through NICU
I don’t carry any threads except for those who have pre-ordered to collect, so if you fancy a cool Tee or hoodie, visit my Etsy.
As we enter the 7th month of 2023, and I realise that my next module results for my degree are due this month, I’m pausing for a quick recap of the year so far. I’m pausing, not panicking.
Health-wise, I hate to admit that it’s been another trying year. Since contracting covid last July, then again in January, my lungs have struggled, and fatigue has plagued my body and mind. Of course, the nature of my life—caring for and educating young children, caring for the adopted animals, and running a home and business, means there’s little time for proper rest and solid sleep, but that sickness has added another weight. And, lest we forget, there’s this writing gig!
Nonetheless, I still breathe, even through crackles, pain and coughs. The wheel keeps turning, and for now, I’m still on it.
January’s focus was liaising with early readers of Delevan House and grinding over those pre-publication checks to ensure a smooth release of digital and print editions.
February saw the launch of that debut novel, Delevan House, co-written with Ruthann Jagge.
Delevan House synopsis
With the development of our collaborative Brazen Folk Horror brand, I’ve tightened up our logo design. I continue to work tirelessly on refining the website and managing both solo sites to reflect the work.
Ruthann and I have co-written a few short stories for select invites, which will be published later this year.
My literary partner in Brazen Folk Horror was keen for us to develop a newsletter, something that I wasn’t entirely on board with, but one day I began designing, and the Brazen Folk Horror zine was born. Our quarterly #bebrazen launched on June 21st digitally exclusively for subscribers, with the print edition releasing to the public on July 5th.
Weekly updates on Brazen Folk Horror have continued throughout the year (which are also shared here). However, these will now wind down with the newsletter launch and focus sharpening on The Delevan Diaries, which releases late this year.
The Delevan Diaries
I have been selective with the Word Refinery workload, taking on smaller editorial, copywriting and graphic projects only, so that clients get the attention their projects deserve. I may open my diary for a couple of larger manuscripts next year, but spaces will be limited. Clients are encouraged to contact me now. Spaces are not guaranteed.
My home has welcomed a few adoptees this year—two ex-caged hens (Yvie Oddly and Brooke Lyn Hytes) adopted from British Hen Welfare Trust joined us in March and have now merged happily with the existing flock for their retirement. Supporting their transition can be a lot of work and requires patience, but it is worth every second. Since taking on our first rescue hens a year ago, I have learnt so much about this wonderful avian species and still am. Unfortunately, because of how they are bred and commodified in the animal agriculture industry, they can experience many health complications that can quickly become fatal. For the most part, I’ve effectively managed issues at home. However, loss is inevitable at times, and one of our girls, sweet Bimini, had to be euthanised due to a severe prolapse and irreparable issues in her overworked reproductive system. It was devastating but also a relief that we could end her suffering.
Ginger Minj—flock leader
We also had to say goodbye last month to one of the most beautiful souls I’ve ever known, one of our adopted rabbits, Sally. This left our boy bun, Presley, without the companionship of his species. This companionship is vital for rabbit health—physical and emotional. Therefore, we adopted another rabbit needing her forever home from the wonderful volunteer-run charity Beloved Rabbits. Our newest family member, Fraoch (readers of Delevan House may recognise her name?), has added fresh energy to the household. She has settled in wonderfully, with full-on Giant Continental confidence and youthful sass. I’m excited to bond Presley and Fraoch after her spay.
Fraoch
I’ll be vending at several markets in Glasgow, which has required a lot of preparation in stock and design. I will have limited hardcovers on hand unless preordered through me in advance to pick up on the day. The same goes for T-shirts and hoodies on my Etsy store. I won’t be carrying stock of those not ordered in advance. If you fancy something from there, check out the market deals and get your order in for collection. Prints were designed by me, and all garments are sourced and made in the U.K. and are vegan.
Market dates 2023
#BeBrazen Autumn Edition releases September. Again, the zine is delivered digitally, free to subscribers only. And only subscribers are entered into the quarterly prize draw. If you aren’t signed up, join us today! The print edition is available for purchase after the subscriber-only digital release and draw.
I begin studying for my next university module in October! I am seriously swamped and planned on delaying my next module. However, I have set goals, and the next intake for this particular module is over a year away. Even with everything booking up for next year, I couldn’t defer for that long.
I have some beautiful cover art waiting their time for when I can invest energy into solo work that’s simmering. Perhaps, I’ll find some hours in 2025!
I must run now. The pause is over. Full speed ahead!
This is where you can find me in Glasgow between July and December for signed books, art prints, proverb pins and a wee blether. Come chat me up!
Special market-only prices for these 2023 dates are listed here. ⬇️
If you are attending any of the dates and fancy a shirt or hoodie as shown in my Etsy store, order in advance, and I’ll have your goodies ready to collect on the day! The quality is excellent and all garments are vegan and made in the U.K..
Market Price List 2023
The last date to secure clothing orders being picked up on the 22nd or 23rd of July @ Merchant City Craft & Design Fair, Glasgow, the 3rd of July.
If visiting me at The Gothic Market, Trades Hall, Glasgow on the 6th of August, the cut-off date for these orders is the 17th of July.
Hardcovers are heavy! I’ll have limited stock of these at my tables, but if you are coming to one or two of those, you can order in advance for collection.
Music is a massive part of my life, inspiring me when I work. It helps me find grounding when the the Earth has fallen from my feet, and I can’t find anything else to tether onto. Art is a wonderful way of distracting us from pain or helping us face and conquer the demons taking up space. The title was chosen in homage to Nirvana — I am a huge grunge fan, and it is one of my comfort-food genres, so it felt natural to fall into that.
The artwork followed the title. What’s more grunge, punk and indie than doing it all myself? I love to paint too. I guess the creative streak is profoundly ingrained in my wheelhouse, even when I suppressed those urges in years gone by. I took this idea and continued my homage to the title. I didn’t overthink it and just went with the flow, inspired by and creating my spin on Kurt Cobain’s cover art for Nirvana’s Incesticide.
Dandelions (dandelion wishes) are my favourite flower. The invasive weed wields healing properties. Her seed is carried in the sweep of a breeze, and she’ll resist suppression, taking deep root wherever seeds land. She’ll bloom through cracks in the concrete — nature dominating and cleaning the disaster of man. I replaced Kurt’s poppies with dandelion seed heads. Though this element is scarcely visible on the Incesticide: Collected Horror book cover, as the figures took central focus on the wraps.
Those two forms: I switched the small figure to the opposite arm and painted them with only a loose nod to Cobain’s originals. I fleshed out my forms but maintained a skeletal accent to the larger figure. For the small child figure, I wanted to recreate that mannequin/doll base but with a dance that quietly echoed the larger one. I think they quickly transformed into ‘mother’ and ‘child’ when painting them, more so when I stepped back and saw a ghost of my daughter’s face in that child form. My ‘koala baby’. With that, it made sense that’s where my paintbrush went. That revelation then paints more sense onto the wide-eyed, dishevelled ‘mother’. The art for Incesticide became personal. Perhaps a bit of a mirror to PND. A little horror of life that has nothing to do with the collection’s contents.
As well as the Ts and Hoodies on my Etsy, prints of the Incesticide artwork are available if you find me skulking in the shadows with my books and other entwined wares at some cool events this year.
Clan Witch & Word Refinery 