Radical generosity: a participatory experiment
Microgrants for emergency preparedness (plus a digital gift-economy-style comments thread where ya'll can gift things to each other!)
My dear reader.
We’re going to try something a little different this week!
It’s an experiment in collective giving and receiving, and I invite you to join in through one or both ways:
I. Microgrants for emergency preparedness
In last week’s newsletter (“dispatch from the prepper diaries”) I shared what I think the war in Iran looks like through a collapse-awareness lens, as well as what I'm personally doing to prepare for downstream impacts (stocking up my pantry, for example, to hedge against likely grocery price increases and shortages later in the year).
This kind of preparedness obviously requires money, and I know that there are plenty of folks who would love to do some emergency prepping of their own (whether that’s buying shelf-stable food, first aid supplies, a CPR certification class, gardening supplies, water storage and/or filtration, an external battery for phone charging during power outages, a solar lantern etc.) and just simply cannot afford to do so right now.
I’d like to help with this in a tangible way, so I’m using $2500 of the money I got from my mom to fund ten microgrants, each $250, for folks who want to do a little prepping but who truly don’t have the funds right now.
(Side note: I’m working on an essay about the financial cost of being sad/depressed/grieving – why don’t more people talk about this?! — as well as the mindfuck of receiving unexpected inheritance money that only exists because my mom died much sooner than anyone expected. Woof.)
But back to the grants:
This money is meant to be used immediately to help you be more prepared in a material way (ie: not simply added to one’s savings), and it’s all done on an honor system with no “proof” of financial circumstance needed, because I trust you. Which means that I trust that only folks who could not afford to stock up/do some preparedness otherwise will apply.
The deadline is April 8 (with all recipients notified and money distributed the following day, April 9, which would have been my mom’s 77th birthday).
[Note: applications are now closed]
II. Is there something you are willing and able (and excited!) to give right now?
The comments are open!
You can offer something for everyone: “I’d love to give ya’ll this really fun book recommendation;” “I’d love to uplift my favorite local musician whose songs I’ve had on repeat lately and find soothing.”
Or it can be something for a limited number of people: “I’d love to gift one person a free necklace from my online shop;” “I’d love to mail someone my old e-reader that I no longer need.”
Then whoever wants what you’re offering (if it’s an item/service that’s limited) can claim it in the comments, and ya’ll can coordinate the details together privately.
The only rule is that no money be exchanged through the giving in the comments section — meaning this isn’t a place to promote your paid work or sell things. (But! If you do something professionally and want to offer it for free, you can! Such as a biz coach giving away a free session, an author giving away copies of their book, etc.)
My vision is for this to be a portal of radical generosity, a mini gift economy of sorts that offers us all the chance to experience a joyful dose of giving and receiving while also redefining what a newsletter space can be.
With warm love & tender care & fierce solidarity,
Nic
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Hi! I have this really amazing tool called The Freewrite (https://getfreewrite.com) and I'd love for it to find a good home. You can type on it and send the documents bluetooth to your computer. It is very cool I have just had it for years and used it once and it needs to find a new owner.
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Oh my gosh, I have been eyeing the freewrite for years!
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!!!! do you want it?!
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Yes please! You can email me for details (melanie.karlins at gmail). Wow, this is so exciting!
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emailed! xo
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I won a copy of Marie Kondo’s “Letter from Japan” last year. I’ve read it and would like to pass it on, if anyone is interested.
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I’d love to gift letterpress monogram stationery. I’m clearing out my studio for new ideas. I have the letters A, B, C, D, E, F G, J, L, M, N, P, R, T remaining in 6-packs (cards + envelopes).
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Ooooh I'd love the J if it's still available! you can email me (jennifer.bollenbacher at gmail) for address details!
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I just emailed you!
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This is a lovely offer. I’d love a B pack. Sending mail to foster connection brings me great joy. Is there a business email in which I could contact you?
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Great! Email me at melanie.karlins at gmail with your mailing address and I'll get them out to you :)
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Ooh... could I have the R pack?? (will email you also)
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Hello Melanie! I send handwritten cards regularly and would love to receive "E" cards, if available. In exchange, I'd be glad to send you a selection of seeds, if you are able to use them? Thank you! Elizabeth
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If there are any C sets remaining and you are willing to ship to France, please let me know! My email is cdadmun@gmail.com :) thank you!!
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I sent you an email 🥰
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I'm so behind on emails that I'm just now getting to read through this! I'd love a set of the M and one of the P, if you happen to still have those available :)
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I'd love to giveaway two spots in my class this weekend, Systems For Artists. All about building digital and analog systems for art making and writing. March 28 and 29 12-2 EST (recorded if you can't make it live) First two people who say they want in - drop your email and I'll send you the details!
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Hi Cody, I would love to have one of the spots, thank you! natthesnail@gmail.com
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yay! just emailed you
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Hi Cody, I would so love this please. I’m in Australia so with timezone differences, I’d likely be watching the recording. My email is kylie.harber@gmail.com
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You'll love the recording! Just emailed
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Thank you so much Cody! :)
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Much care to you, Nic. I am inspired by your generosity the midst of grief and everything else. <3
OFFER: I've also been experiencing waves of grief in recent weeks (both personal and macro), and found a beautiful album that's helped me to move some of the feelings through. If anyone is in a similar place and would be nourished by music, message me, and I'll share the name of the album and will make a donation to the artist ($20 donations for the first three messages).
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Hi Ash! What a beautiful offering. I'd love to know the name of the album (email: nofeelingisfinal0 at gmail dot com)
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I’m so available to offer a free 60-minute session for anyone grieving any kind of loss. Could be a small “l” loss or a Big L loss. Drop me an email at umagir@gmail.com and we can set it up.
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Gosh Uma - I can't believe I'm finding you here, I know your name from Amy Lea's calls! I really resonated with your energy and I would love a grief session. I'll send you an email to connect x
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I have a whole bunch of books and textbooks related to body psychology/somatic approaches (Peter Levine's books, books on the Feldenkras method, EMDR, brainspotting, Japanese pscyhotherapies, Tao of Trauma etc) in pdf formats. I can send you a link to access it in my google drive, just drop your email below :)
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Ignore the No Hustle Freelancer part. It's a course I ran like 3-4 years ago, I have no idea how to remove this...all I filled out for my name was "Kat"...
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I would be super interested in the pdfs—thank you! My email is heathervanderhoop AT gmail DOT com.
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Sounds so useful! ashtmaria at gmail
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Oh Kat I would love this! My email is jenarnold6155@gmail.com. Thank you!!
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This would be incredible Kat! I've love access. My email is laurafmwood@gmail.com x
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would love this! info@codycookparrott.com
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I am really interesting in learning more about somatic approaches, thank you! My email is cdadmun@gmail.com :)
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Kat, this would be amazing! My gmail is madisontaylorclark @ gmail.com :)
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I have 2 clothing offers. Would love to send these to new homes. I can ship them to different people, you don't have to claim both unless you want both.
The first is a 'new with tags' top from the fun and colorful Australian brand DOOPS. This is the tank top in size XL: https://www.doopsdesigns.com/products/confetti-hand-cut-vinyl-linen-cotton-blouse-copy-1
And a skirt from The Kit, size Large - "Rainbow Shingles" which I have only worn once and it is in excellent, like new condition : https://www.thekit.com/collections/skirts/products/b961f596-c688-4303-a852-266b4a134bfc
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Britt, that skirt is gorgeous and I would love to give it a home!
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Excellent! Please email me your mailing address and I'll ship it to you. : ) brittmadsen@proton.me
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I'd love to offer a free gathering glow-up to help make an upcoming event in your life infused with intentionality and have great impact.
Here are the deets: -you complete a brief questionnaire about your event (could be a work mtg, baby shower, etc) - we have a 45 min glow-up to get super clear on your gather's why, outcomes, + tangible action steps to make it a LOT better
More deets here: https://www.gatherbetter.co/gathering-design
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Also, hosting a virtual workshop on reflective practice and would be happy to give away 2 free tickets. Email me for deets: tes at gatherbetter.co
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/gatherbetter/2069964
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i'd love to offer 2 pairs of zines my friend and i published last year, one is a collection of pencil drawings and myths, and the other holds a set of performance experiments / prompts <3 feel free to drop your email, open for 2 folks to claim :o)
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Pencil drawings AND myths?! Two of my favorite things. I'd love one of those: tiisme@gmail.com
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I would love this!! My email is kayla.mj.allen@gmail.com :)
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For last year's Talk Like a Pirate Day, I sent a pdf, print-at-home zine to my newsletter about how to bring some more pirate energy into your life.
It was a surprise and delight freebie to my mailing list folks, but I am more than happy to make it accessible to folks here. You can find it at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EAJxnyiSyzGfBAEEU68oFeihdPK9aTet/view?usp=sharing
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Thank you so much for sharing this Rachel! What a fun little zine (especially for someone who's still obsessed with Black Sails after so many years haha)
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I've got 2 lined paperback notebooks from Ohh Deer that I'll happily mail to the first 2 people (or 1 person who wants both copies) who email me with your mailing address. rachel at rachelropeik dot com.
The notebook isn't for sale anymore, but this is what it looks like: https://ohhdeerwholesale.com/cdn/shop/products/Creative-Juice-MEJSS5845_a4ish-notebook.jpg?v=1675859568
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(approx 7" x 10" dimensions)
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Some free recommendations. For pet stains & odors: Nature's Miracle Advanced severe mess enzymatic formula. This is what the Animal Control & Care folks use & it's widely available. For Epsom salts, I love EpSoak brand. No fake fragrance smell and they leave the water softer than any brand I've tried. And if you love chocolate but are trying to cut down on sugar, I've found that cacao from South & Central America, especially Colombia, is naturally sweeter than other kinds so you can enjoy treats with less sugar.
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I love these recommendations!
I want to piggy-back on this! If your cat every gets acne, get Vetericyn Plus Feline Facial Therapy! I was brushing and using all the recommended cleansing pads, but my cats acne kept coming back by the next day after cleaning it off. I found this product and the reviews claimed pretty much overnight miracles. I was sure it's a hype, but I gave it a shot. And no joke, by the next day it was 80% better and completely clear within 2 days! I don't know what kind of sorcery this is, but it hasn't come back since either.
Also, if anyone has dry hands, Worker B is a miracle. The only thing that kept my hands from basically cracking and bleeding in the winter. They have a lotion, cream, and putty. It's a small artisanal skincare "company" in Minnesota.
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I have a pair of ScubaPro fins [size medium] and Cressi 5 mm scuba boots [size 9] if anyone wants them.
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I would love to offer a paint by number kit and/or a woobles kit to anyone who wants it.
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Hi Kelly, if no one has claimed it, I would love the Woobles kit! My email's caitlinhamrin@gmail.com
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I absolutely love these exchanges! I would like to gift a copy of the wilderness basics book from the San Diego chapter of the sierra club. Please send me your address to klukes at Gmail dot com
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I'd love to offer two zines I've made to two people. One is an 8-page half size anti-ICE poetry zine and the other is an 8-page quarter size perzine. Please let me know if there's only one you would like, otherwise I'll send both. I'm in the UK and will ship worldwide. If you're interested, please reply with your email and I'll contact you for your address 😊
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Hi Natalie, I would love a copy of the perzine please! I'm in the UK and a zinester too - happy to send you one of my zines in return :) My email is lettersfrommars [at] pm [dot] me
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Hi Jade, Amazing, I've just emailed you :)
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Hey Natalie, I'm interested! :)
jessicasheapinkley@gmail.com
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Hi Jessica, great! I've emailed you :)
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Thanks Nic for being an amazing human! ✨I’d love to gift anyone who needs this phone wallpaper I drew recently — a little hand lettered quote to remind you what you’re capable of. You can download here:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/25mqhk4w0doqbfbfjbfd9/Tiny-Giraffe-You-Can-Do-Hard-Things-Blue.jpg?rlkey=6roqipb4lx663gnj9gadwbpu7&st=b98na0kd&dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/u5ggeqfp54xhfglvz6zuh/Tiny-Giraffe-You-Can-Do-Hard-Things-Pink.jpg?rlkey=gtc5965n2jb1xdpew5nt5jt2g&st=6v236lig&dl=0
If there is 2 people who want their own custom quote wallpaper, let me know your favourite quote/words, fave colours and email and I’ll make one for you.
Enjoy x
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I downloaded the blue version, thanks Kylie!
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Oh this makes me so happy! You’re welcome 💙 Let me know if you’d like one custom made for you.
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They're gorgeous Kylie, thanks for sharing <3
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Oh thank you Gray! You’re very welcome 💛 Let me know if you’d like a custom one made for you.
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I would like to offer 3 zine bundles to 3 people, each containing a veggie recipe zine and a facial self-massage zine. I'm in the UK but can ship worldwide.
Please email me at lettersfrommars [at] pm [dot] me with your address and I'll get them sent out to you (I'm going on holiday tomorrow morning so you won't hear back from me until next week!)
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I would love to offer free downloads of my game Your Friend in Witchcraft (link here if you'd like to check it out: https://earthlybody.itch.io/your-friend-in-witchcraft)
It's a letter-writing game for two people — you play witches giving each other advice. Drop your email if you'd like a copy!
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I don't have too much to give at the moment, but I'm so thankful for this community. <3
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One thing I'm really good at is putting together course + workshop outlines. If you've been wanting to offer one but struggling with how to put all your info together or if it'd make sense to someone out - that's a tangible thing I can help with. At the moment, I have capacity to help 2 people, but I'll update if that changes. Comment and email me at leigh DOT morlock AT gmail ...
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Omg Leigh! I’ve been trying to write a course outline for months. I would love a review of my outline if that is ok? kylie.harber@gmail.com x
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*someone else
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I loved the gift exchange last time! Learned lots about bikes. Here is what I can offer this time. flogodineau (@) gmail.com or comment below if you're interested.
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A brainstorm session if you're new to hiking, backpacking, hiking with dogs, bike-packing and want advice or a sounding board about next steps. (1-2 people)
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A free pdf guide about hiking with dogs.
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Heated Rivalry fanfic recommendations (share your preferences / what you want to avoid if needed)
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From now until the end of April I can send one of my nature photos to your email/phone every 2-3 days. Something I took when I was hiking.
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Hi Flo ~ thank you! We are getting on the CDT soon in New Mexico & have a Yorkie. Hoping to include her some because of love. Kelleymaewiley@gmail
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In your inbox. Happy adventuring!
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Hi! I'd love to send someone a little box of 2-3 gently used fiction books (I tend to like thrillers and realistic fiction!). US only just due to the cost of shipping.
Thanks Nic, and hugs from Ohio :)
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Nic, this is really inspiring! I would like to send someone $100 who could use it to make their week more easeful in any way. Just reply to let me know how I can find you on your money app of choice :)
p.s. I hope this isn't against the spirit of the "no money exchanged" rule. I interpreted that to mean no offers that require money in return, but if you'd rather this be a cash-free gifting economy, I can remove my comment!
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I'm hesitant to raise my hand, but if there are no takers, my venmo is @nomadickat. The past 10 months lost all my freelance clients to AI & at the same time, my chronic pain turned so bad that I lost most of my ability to work (exist) too...so life is fun (not). This could help with my cat's upcoming vet appointment fee. :) (Even though she is still hoping mom will decide to save the money and skip the scary vet ;-))
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Sent it your way, though I hope for your cat's sake she found a way out of the vet ;) Wishing you strength through what sounds like a tough fucking time!
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If anyone has money questions or wants a double check I'd love to chat for an hour. I've been a financial coach/advisor for 250+ clients and worked on debt, savings and retirement questions. Email me at constructingcash AT gmail.com. Typical disclaimer that it'd be an educational conversation and not advice :)
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Thank you so much, Sam. Your time and kindness were incredibly helpful to me.
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Mine is contingent on location, but as a photographer, would love to gift a mini photography session (20 mins) to someone who feels like paying for professional photography is out of reach financially. I'm east of Toronto, ON (Durham Region).
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i’d love to give someone some tea (flavor of yr choosing!) from my local grocery co-op! it would be a delight to support them and make this pen-pal offering :)
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this sounds awesome!! big fan of tea + my email is bigsn0wpants (at) gmail (dot) com
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I am an Alaskan who loves logistics. I am delighted to offer the opportunity to have an exchange & answer questions about visiting the state and on the following topics: working as a carpenter, hiking & trails around Seward, racing Mount Marathon, cooking salmon, halibut & moose and public libraries.
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Kelleymaewiley@gmail.com
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I feel like I'm coming in late to the party, but I have two offerings if anyone is interested!
My book, The Distraction-Free First Draft, is all about the why and how to use a typewriter to write first drafts. I came out in late 2024 (https://www.wozflint.com/book). Since it's through an indie press, it doesn't ship internationally, so I have a digital version at the ready for anyone who might be interested (stateside or internationally) in using a typewriter to, well, write! I talk about where to find them, what to look for, and writing tips. Drop your email address, and I'll email you a copy!
Also, I'm a typewriter poet! I'd love to send one customized poem out to someone here (you can have me write it for you or for someone else). I'll ask you a few questions and then write it up and put it in the mail to you. :)
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Thank you so much for this offer. Love a type written poem. Kelleymaewiley@gmail.com I’m a Hiker
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Emailing you!
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