Make
Things worth yielding to: a dreamy writing retreat, a fringe one-woman show, new resources for writers, your new favorite wall calendar (it’s actually art), and a new literary magazine launches.
••• A Brief Unfolding
I hear a lot of people talking about the importance of (and solace in) making something right now. I can’t disagree—I’ve had the wildly joyful experience of working on something really special all summer, and it’s finally complete. The Mourning Papers is a new literary magazine, born from so much co-dreaming with my good friend and co-conspirator, Sara Wuillermin (
).First, read more about the project here. The first issue of the magazine (Fall/Winter 2025) is filled with incredible contributions from folks in and around New Jersey; and features original art, poetry, and writing about grief, joy, and resistance.
Second, pick up a copy (or several) for yourself and/or pay one forward here. I’ll even mail it out to you myself.
The next issue will publish in 2026—so keep an eye out for our next call for submissions, because if you’re itching to make something good to share with the world, what are you waiting for?
••• Made With Love
Some amazing things made by amazing people including: fantastic new books self-published by incredible indie authors, a connection coach’s mission to build better spaces, proof that collective action can preserve truth, and an impactful coaching practice for kids.
Made to Believe In Miracles
Friend and founder of the So Now You’re a Manager training program, Jen Dary, wrote an EPIC memoir. Here’s a peek at the book description:
At thirty-five, Jen Dary’s life flipped upside down when a routine MRI uncovered a lemon-size brain tumor. A stressed Silicon Valley coach and mother of two, she closed her business, weaned her youngest, and braced for brain surgery—all while calling forth the dead, chasing psychics, and digging for old Bibles in the attic. I Believe in Everything is a sincere, smart, laugh-out-loud memoir about the mysteries that shape us, the love that sustains us, and the courage it takes to believe in the impossible.
Made for Community
Speaker, facilitator, and certified connection coach, Kat Vellos, asks: “What if we designed places where friendship happened naturally?” in her newest community-cultivating endeavor: Better Places Studio. Guiding the project are big ideas like “Everyone deserves to live somewhere they can easily find community.”
Made to be Preserved
Trump took it down, but the folks at Climate.us brought it back. Thanks to collective support, the Fifth National Climate Assessment website, the leading report on U.S. climate impacts, risks, and opportunities for adaptation, is back online.
NCA5 is special not only because one of my best friends led the whole damn report but also because she was the first director to commission art from public citizens to include in the report. AND art contributions will be an essential part of the report going forward.
Made for Conscious Kids
Friend and fellow coach, Erika Zappia, recently launched a wonderful coaching practice focused on working with kids aged 6–12 years old, supporting them to discover their own innate power and wisdom. Conscious Kid Coaching incorporates a series of original and engaging stories (written and produced by Erika!) created to help kids become more mindful, learn to overcome challenges, rise after setbacks, and build real confidence from the inside out.
And she’s taking on new clients now! ➜
Hope You Can Make It!
Come visit me and Sara (
) in Philly on Nov 1st at Philly Zine Fest!! We’ll be slingin’ Mourning Papers, mini-zines, stickers, surprise literary gems, and more!