Hello, my people.
Another month has passed swifter than a bar of salted caramel Galaxy (other chocolate brands are available).
Happy August! I thought I would switch up the format and share the most exciting thing that has happened in the last month. My poems are now in printed form! Whoop woop!
When the proof copies arrived, it was an emotional and joyful moment. It’s taken a lot to get me to put my poems in writing. Indeed, this process has felt like stripping off all my clothes in front of a stadium of people. Exposing.
And yet ‘visibility’ is the name of the game, so I’m told . If you don’t see or hear from me, how will you enjoy all I have to share? A bit of a contradiction that every author, performer or presenter has to navigate. Just ‘cause I am happy on a stage, doesn’t mean I’m comfortable in print or on camera, but alas, it goes with the territory.
Once upon a time, I worked for a great charity that helped disadvantaged groups tell their stories by supporting them in making short films. Part of the first session involved making sure each person got to see and hear themselves on camera.
Groans, shrieks and nervous laughter accompanied every one of these sessions as we played back the footage of these imposters. It was as if a worse-looking dopplegänger had gotten into the screen and was talking in a funny voice. Always uncomfortable and a bit shocking, but it was a necessary part of the process to enable the rest of the production.
This has been my experience this month: filming myself talking on camera and talking into my phone, just to get over all my self-critical comments. My primary fear not having enough different clothes to wear and worrying about my wonky teeth – yes, really!
Everyone can see me every day so it’s not as if I can actually hide these things - but still…hmmmn.
If you are on the Substack app, you can head to the chat section to see some of the results, in this exclusive area just for subscribers. Please do check out and say hi so I know I’m not talking to myself. Also, every time you interact it helps other people see my content – so it’s a way to help me get the word out.
What else have I been up to?
going to a poetry and loss workshop sessions – it was good to be a participant for a change
playing with new kit – lapel mics, a selfie stick(!) and a small light for my phone
tussling with freelancers
looking at venues for the launch event
getting over some food poisoning that knocked me out a bit :( I’m on the other side now :)
So the book has been printed - a massive milestone, and I’m checking over the proofs to see if any changes need to be made.
Attention is now on marketing and creating content, and finalising the schedule for events. As mentioned publication day is coming next week, join the publication mailing list if you want to receive links to purchase the book and eBook on the day.
Till then, stay strong Kindreds x
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