It’s July. One of our hens is crowing like a rooster this morning. A family of porcupines is feasting on the clover in our yard. This post is not perfect but I’m already going to be late for work so I’m going to hit the publish button and scramble to finish making lunches.

The number of subscribers to this list is growing. Some of you, I know, some of you, I don’t. Drop me a line and let me know who you are and why you’re here, if you like.

New Work in the World

Here’s a link to my story about “that house” in downtown Frankfort in Maine Homes by Down East, mentioned in last month’s newsletter when only the print version was available.

The online version has a different title/headline from the print version (neither of which I wrote). I mention this because I’m still getting used to the idea that when you write for commercial publications certain things are out of your hands. My previously limited publishing experience is with literary magazines, where ostensibly, writers have more control over their finished work. I have yet to mind this change—I find it amusing. The editors I’ve worked with so far have been both dreamy and trustworthy and I really appreciate having a champion in my corner.

I forgot to mention last month that two of the photos included in the story about the Treat Peirce house were taken by my partner, Derek Yorks, who is also a wildlife biologist and can lure boa constrictors out of trees with no fear.

“It’s our first collab!” I keep saying to him because I think the word “collab” is funny (especially when pronounced with extra emphasis on the “co”) but truly, we’ve been talking about collaborating for a decade and it’s the first time it’s actually happened.

Earlier this week, I traveled to my Wolfeboro, NH, my hometown, to interview folks for a story about East of Suez.1 For the first time in my independent writing career, my mileage expenses for reporting will be paid.2 The textual richness of in-person interviews is so valueable—I’m grateful to have the support of a publisher behind me to make such things possible.

Plus, while I was in Wolfeboro I got to check out the project/building my childhood friend, Josh Arnold, is working on: Makers Mill. It’s a very impressive project with life-changing possibilities for all who enter its doors.

Currents

This month is less about books and songs and more about redistributing resources. Here are some recommendations:

• Abortion Access Front
• Black Mamas Matter Alliance
• National Network of Abortion Funds

Housekeeping

In keeping with the redistributing resources theme, I wanted to share something about how I’m attempting to go about this myself. I have three things to say.

one

I redistribute 10% of all my writing-derived profits. I am not making a million dollars from my writing nor are my earnings enough to support me/my family (yet?)3 but I’m excited to have this structure in place.

I plan to add things up at the end of the year and make donations in larger sums rather than small sporadic ones. The majority of my donations will go to support Wabanaki sovereignty/Wabanaki-led initiatives. (Feel free to check in with me in December when I’ll report back on this.)

Resource redistribution is not a new idea nor is it mine. Recently, I’ve been inspired by examples set by local farms such as Dandy Ram Farm and Seek-No-Further that incorporate resource distribution into their business model.

Do you have a similar practice? Leave a comment below if you’d like or send me a message. I’m in the learning phase and would love to hear about what you do personally and professionally around resource redistribution.

two

I’m launching a paid version of this newsletter. Substack tells me that this should be a big announcement, the sole announcement of this post, not to bury the lede, etc., and I get that (I’ll get there) but for now, please know that you can now become a paid subscriber.

I don’t have all the details figured out yet but one day I will, perhaps a day not so far from today. If you’re considering being a paid subscriber, what sort of content/perks might you like to see? Leave a comment below or send me a message.

three

I’m attempting to shift where my income comes from, i.e., I am experimenting with trying to get to a place where the majority of my income comes from writing and things that fill me with joy, are good for people and the planet, and have some sort of positive lasting impact.

Re-integrating writing into my life this past year has been incredibly fulfilling. I get to sit with other humans in other places and contemplate big and little things of big and little consequence. Actively writing changes the way I relate to the people, places, and ideas. My brain (and body) feel like much cooler places when I am writing (and reporting). Being able to publish my work is rewarding because rather than it sitting in my laptop or in a notebook or inside my head, I get to share it with audiences like y’all who are (presumably?) interested in what I’m writing about.

Yet, it’s hard! While I have many privileges that give me a significant leg up, I also have a tangible deficit: TIME (see day job, commuting, raising two young children).

If you’d like to support my work and contribute to the financial security and increased time that will allow me to follow this path, you’re welcome to become a paid subscriber or Venmo me.

One example of what financial support could turn into: an intensive at the Oral History Summer School or the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies.

A little bit of encouragement goes a long way—and it doesn’t have to be financial! A comment, a message, sharing my work, even reading this missive all the way to the end, all of these things have an impact. I’m grateful for your support.

In any case, I know enough of the publishing world to know how challenging it is to support oneself on freelancing income. One never knows unless they try, however, so here I am, “just trying.”4

Thank you for reading.