Reflecting and resisting
We had hope…
Our four-square breathing technique went out the window the morning of November 6th when the outcome of the U.S. election was certain. Once the fight, flight, and freeze emotions subsided…one of us started searching for short term rentals in other countries. The tears and stages of grief were real!! However, the other wife intervened and declared, “We’ve been here before and I’m not going anywhere.” And so, it’s been helpful to direct our energy to more productive pursuits rather than succumb to yet to be realized fear. For example, it’s not a coincidence that we took a trip to the eastern shore of Maryland to bask in history among loblolly pine forests, tidal marshes, and museums honoring the life of Harriet Tubman. There’s nothing like learning about the struggles of a real life shero to realize that today’s challenges are not new. The late great Nikki Giovanni shared a poem about fear in a TEDx talk some years back, it still resonates.
Harriet Tubman mural in Cambridge, Maryland
Lean into community…
Last month, we mentioned our panel participation during the Baltimore Book Festival, “Black Love and Romance Writing: An Act of Resistance and Rebellion.” On reflection, the discussion seems like a prescient prelude to the road ahead. Pick a characterization, any one will do — women, athletes, veterans, or having careers in male-dominated industries — and we can wax poetic about the resistance and rebellion required to not just survive, but thrive. Share your story. It’s critically important to not do life alone; let your community, tribe, or small group sustain you when and if you encounter rough seas.
News update! Our anthology collaboration with Rainbow Room Publishing, From a Black Perspective: The Homeland, has been released. We would also like you to save the date. The 2025 ReadOut Festival will be held in Gulfport, FL February 14-16... we’re planning to be there.
Going wider! There’s been a fair amount of discussion between authors across social media on reducing our dependence on Amazon. To that end, we’ve sold signed books, note cards, and totes from our website since publishing THIS: A Simple Complex Love Story. And we plan to use our Bookshop affiliate status to support independent bookstores and promote authors. Take a look at our holiday favorites book list. Books sold by authors on Bookshop earn twice as much money, while supporting independent bookstores at the same time! We’ll also earn a small commission. If you decide to purchase, you can identify the bookshop of your choice, and the bookstore will benefit from your purchase.
As 2024 ends, we remain grateful to the community of readers, authors, library staff, and bookstores that keep us encouraged. During the holidays, keep breathing, embrace nature, connect to your inner power, and take breaks as needed.
See you next year,
Naomi
