Dear humans,
Here we are. Still here. Sometimes I wiggle my toes to remind myself I am still here, in a body, breathing, surviving. I’ve been in conversations with friends about the current situation and how to stay grounded, sane (?), etc. I don’t have any answers. Sometimes I’m able to imagine that it’s possible to cope. Sometimes self-care feels like an impossible reach, but I know it’s important. Also important: to keep focus on what we know and feel, what we know inside ourselves and our families and our communities. The people in charge now can’t actually erase whole populations and our basic humanity, though it feels horrible to endure the ways they are trying to do so.
May we all be managing, somehow. May we all feel connection with others. May we all find ways to cope.
In case you need fortification, I can recommend a few bits of light:
Survival is A Promise: The Eternal Life of Audre Lorde, by Alexis Pauline Gumbs, is a magical, hybrid, vibrational masterpiece of a biography/memoir/invocation. I found it very uplifting to read right now.
Chatter, by Ethan Kross, where you can learn more self-talk and why it matters. (And there’s a brief pdf toolbox available here.)
“What it’s like to have depression — and get better,” by my friend Char Daston, this beautiful video essay is an artful and honest gift to the world.
Rehearsals for Dying, by Ariel Gore, is, among many things, a generous love letter for a dying spouse and an anti-capitalist (and illuminating) indictment of the medical industrial complex. You can pre-order it here.
Your Local Epidemiologist (Katelyn Jetelina) provides a helpful resource for health information.
(To revisit the little shopping guide of things that help me feel better, go here.)
And a couple bits from the Kuder desk:
For fans of weird fiction:
I’m thrilled to have a short story forthcoming appear in Weird Horror #10, from Undertow Publications. (You can pre-order here.) This story may be the darkest thing I’ve ever had published (good timing!). Very grateful it found a home.
To support the ACLU while you release self-doubt:
Through the end of February, I’m offering an ACLU bundle of Dear Inner Critic: a self-doubt activity book. Read more here.
Sending lots of love as we navigate the impossible. At least we have each other. So grateful.
Love,
Rebecca
WHERE TO BUY
Please visit these bookshops, or scroll down for info about how to purchase from the source:
Yellow Springs, OH Epic Book Shop or Dark Star Books
& Highland Park, IL at Secret World Books
& Easthampton, MA at Book Moon Books
& online from Literary Kitchen (check out the bundle of this year’s chapbooks!)
(Alas, this book is not available through Amazon.)
| To purchase directly: $15 includes shipping (specify mailing address or local pickup) PayPal: rebecca.kuder@gmail.com Venmo: @rkuderys (last 4 digits=4484) |
SPREAD THE WORD:
Would your writing group, book club, or other creative circle be interested in this book? Any teachers, therapists, or healers who might want to use these tricks? Or do you know any independent bookstores that might want to carry the book? Let me know! And post a review at Goodreads.
Rebecca Kuder 