Happy Tuesday, fellow Collaborators!

It's rainy and grey outside here in Green Bay, WI which means it's the perfect day to stay indoors and read/partake in hobbies. (I say, as I went to the work office for a few hours this morning, and my children/chaos/noise creators will be home from school in like 2-3 hours. One can dream. lol)

This past week (since last newsletter) I finished up the Heartstopper series, and in preparation of TODAY'S RELEASE of Cemetery Boys: Espiritu, I listened to the audio of Cemetery Boys yesterday. Y'all, I know I keep saying I'm not a fantasy/magical realism/etc. reader, but there's just something about Aiden's writing that enamors me. I loved the way he just writes in gender euphoria, and body dysmorphia without calling it that... like there's scenes that describe trans joy and validation, without the need to overtly name-call what it is. It just is. And I love that. The way he writes is just beautiful, and I'm so excited to get my signed/personalized copy of Cemetery Boys: Espiritu literally any day now. I keep watching out the window waiting on the mail person every day with both excitement and disappointment when I don't get the goods. lol I know I'm not alone in this, either.

I will also be starting Sonido Reyes' book To Our Untamed Core this week, too! (This is our Q4 book club pick, and we'll talk to them for our Behind The Book chat in November.)

I went to the Dollar Tree (seriously, they need to change their name because everything, at minimum is $1.25 and up now) and Five Below unattended twice over the last week, and I probably spent like $25 on journaling stuff? I want to go back and get some acrylic markers to test out, too. I have big plans to spend more dedicated time writing and journaling without the (self) expectation to have it monetized or future book related. If any of you are on board, we could absolutely set up a zoom chat to talk all things books, journaling/journaling prompts/etc. I'm always down to nerd out about these things. Just drop a comment if you're interested. I have a note in my phone dedicated to all the journals i want to create. We'll see how many stick.

I also want you to know, that, while I have been doing this Bookstagram thing since May of 2020, I still have to plead for some of the queer books that are on my radar. Here is just one of the many recent e-mails I've sent out pleading my case for Lamya H's upcoming book 99 Names For God:

I try to be lighthearted and funny... but like.. please, I beg. They responded very nicely, too, by the way. So, don't ever be afraid to shoot your shot to publishers! And have fun, always. There are some times I get into like, creative lows where I have zero energy to do anything content related - which happened to me when Memaw passed in June. I had to take some time to collect myself, but I also (eventually) pushed myself (gently) to do things that I knew would make me happy. So, don't be afraid to gently nudge yourself to start something you know you will enjoy, even if it takes you a little bit longer to find your groove.

Looking ahead, we will have our usual Trans Joy Thursday newsletter with the zoom details for the Beyond The Rainbow chat with Anita Kelly, Friday, September 11th, from 6-7pm CST. Next Sunday, our September Shenanigans, Week 3 newsletter will be focused on Latinx Heritage Month!

Anything in particular you'd like to see moving forward? Both here in your exclusive newsletters, or anywhere else? Always here to listen and brainstorm and see what works (and what doesn't.)

Reminder: If you're interested in a zoom meet-up to discuss books/journaling/etc. drop me a comment! We'll figure the best day/time.

As always, I hope you find joy in your day/week. Thank you for being here. I cannot wait to see where Not A Phase Books takes us.

With all my trans joy,

Sawyer Cole