The swallows are preparing to leave... it must be nearly autumn
Seasonal Sessions, expressive journaling for mental and physical health and Memoir in a Month news
Hi friends,
Firstly, if you’re new here (hello!) I’m Lindsay.
I’m home and I’m knackered, pals. I’m thanking Tuesday’s Lindsay for some canny planning as this scheduled missive’s sole purpose is to tell you what’s coming up in the autumn so that this weekend’s Lindsay doesn’t have to be good with words. Instead, she’s deep-cleaning, doing multiple laundry loads and sorting school uniforms. Oh, OK. By the time you read this, she’ll probably have done most of that and more besides, and will definitely be heading to see
in conversation with at the Edinburgh International Book Festival (this afternoon if you’re in or around Edinburgh – see you there?).FYI, Future Lindsay is also taking the next fortnight off Substack (except for the excitement of 16th August and liveness of 22nd August, details for both below), so this is the last post until Sunday 25th August.
In the meantime, there’s so much in the archive for you to wrap your eyes around. If you’re keen to read all about our family’s epic motorhome tour of northern Europe and Scandinavia then head back to the start of the journey here:
And now for what’s coming up…
16th August 5pm BST: I’ll be in conversation on the power of memoir and making it sell on Substack with Dr Lily Dunn, Caro Giles, Anna Wharton and Kate Spicer as part of the one-day free virtual conference, The Sparkle Summit: Substack x Publishing, hosted by the SS powerhouses that are Claire Venus and Russell Nohelty.
Here we are in full flow last week when we recorded our chat: me sweaty in Sweden, trying to make it look like I wasn’t dialling in from the van while the others looked cool with their beautiful backdrops in airy rooms across Englandshire:
In Claire and Russell’s words, the summit is all about sharing, learning and connecting with brilliant minds who balance, manage, and promote their work on Substack and beyond. I’ll add that it’s for writers, readers and anyone involved in the publishing industry who would like to understand better how Substack is part of the ecosystem supporting writers to make money while building community and promoting their published and upcoming books.
Subscribe using the link here so you don’t miss out on the other amazing sessions hosted by brilliant writers and creators including
, , and .Here’s the full line-up:
August 22nd 8-9pm BST: The Seasonal Session for late summer, where we’ll shuffle the nature oracle deck, journal around the micro season (we’ll be in Swallows Prepare to Leave can you believe it, wah!), and enjoy a seasonal reading.
If you’ve not come along to one of these cosy sessions before, watch this video. I’ll post the zoom link in the paid members’ chat at noon on the 22nd and send by email too, so you have until then to upgrade if you’re a free subscriber and fancy a nourishing hour. It’s a cameras on or off affair. Light a candle, grab a mug of something warm and get into your pjs: no one will know…
Monday 2nd September 7-9pm BST: Memoir in a Month starts a new five-week run with guest reader
If you’re ready to consider crafting your own story this course is for you. Each two hour session will give you the tools you need to work independently across the week, whether you’re curious about the form, you goal is to begin writing memoir, make progress on a WIP or polish up an existing first draft. This is a live course, but is always recorded so you can work at your own pace if you prefer. All resources are sent out following each session and we catch up in Chat throughout the week.
I’m also bringing my knowledge of writing for publication, querying agents, submitting work to competitions and working on book proposals and will be open to questions and offering feedback throughout the month in Chat and in our dedicated Google Classroom.
Sign up here:
What’s the investment?
When I confirm your spot, you’ll be invited to upgrade to the Founding Member tier, which is £150 and includes a year’s access to all the Membership benefits as well (normally £50 for an annual subscription).
Thursday 10th October 2024 8-9pm BST: Writing for Better Mental and Physical Health my 4-week expressive journaling course based on the Pennebaker Method kicks off afresh. Perfect timing for the reflection darker evenings can offer.
Whether you’re starting, re-igniting or developing a journaling practice, allow me to hold space for gentle but deep self-enquiry to improve our mental and physical health with no sharing required. If there’s ever been a time to get curious about ourselves and our relationship to the world we live in, it’s now. Came along last time and fancy it again? You’d be most welcome.
Natalie Goldberg says on writing:
“Our details are important. Otherwise, if they are not, we can drop a bomb and it doesn't matter. . . Recording the details of our lives is a stance against bombs with their mass ability to kill, against too much speed and efficiency.”
Why trust me? Read more on the Pennebaker Method and my facilitation, teaching and life writing experience here.
What does it feel like to journal for mental and physical health? Read this collaborative post shared as part of Laura Oldfield’s 12 Days of Advent Celebration.
And a reminder: The Cost of Caring series is OPEN for contributors. Fancy chatting with me on zoom about how your caring responsibility intersects / feeds / impacts your creative practice? Here’s the form to fill in if you’d like to get involved:
Phew! It’s going to be quite the autumn. And for those of you up-to-date with your listening, we are so nearly at the end of the audio serialisation of my memoir, Held in Mind… Hop on over to this post if you’re yet to dive in:
It’s positively binge-worthy, so consider an upgrade if you’re as much of an audiobook fan as I am.
Right. I’m signing off for now to spend a fortnight with my current WIP. I’ll see you on the other side…
Lindsay x
Honestly you are a force of nature! All of this sounds remarkable! AND you’re doing the washing!
Wishing you a great and nourishing time with your WIP and hope to join some of the amazing things you’ve lined up this Autumn x
Welcome home!