Reburn Issues #3 +#4 Kickstarter Coming in a Week! And other news!

Well, wow, my last newsletter talked about my hopes for 2022, a break from the constant barrage of challenges, and that hasn't panned out. The challenges continue and my need and desire to collaborate, learn, get out in nature and create community are the things that keep me not only going, but functioning and looking forward to tomorrow (most days). What works for you? Email me and let me know.

Here's what I've been up to the last couple of months:

1. REBURN 

Issues #3 and #4, which complete the first narrative arc, are finished! And they are awesome! We will be sharing both in our next Kickstarter that launches in a week, Thursday, March 24th. Follow the campaign with this PREVIEW link.

Following the campaign through the preview link, helps out the campaign and algorithms and the mysteries of Kickstarter. Plus it will let you know the moment our campaign launches (9AM PST Thursday, March 24th).

Issue #3 dives deep into Skye's backstory and his life in The Citadel. There are reveals and twists, of course! And we get to meet Hope and learn more about how things work in The Unity. In Issues #3 and #4 the art by Elise McCall, colors by Hilary Jenkins and letters, by Joamette Gil are the best yet, for reals.

ALSO, we have a variant cover by Eisner award winner, Abigail Larson. EPIC.

Issue #4 wraps up the arc and features that most incredible double page spread. I LOVE IT (and not just cause I wrote it). It might be my favorite thing yet, which is really saying something.

​If you can't tell, we're very excited and hope you will take a moment to follow the campaign HERE  and if you're able, back the campaign, at any level. Every backer counts!

2. Where I'm From

We're still doing weekly IG Lives of Where I'm From, next week is #22! It's been a real source of joy for me listening to each unique and powerful poem and getting to know people I've met through social media better and reconnecting with old friends. 

Please join me. REALLY.

I believe each of us has a story to tell and I'd love to hear yours! DM or email me for the prompts.

3. Daily Delights

I'm still doing those too! I've received 46 delights and when I receive the 50th one that lucky person will receive their own copy of Ross Gay's The Book of Delights (my inspiration for sharing a delight every day for 2022). BE #50 - DM me or email me your delight, please.

Here's one of mine:

4. What I'm Watching ​

When I am feeling lost or full of despair I find brilliant minds who have been asking the big questions extremely helpful. Angela Davis is one of those people. 
At the end of The History you Weren't Taught in School: Black History, Black Freedom and Black Love (HIGHLY RECOMMEND) the director, asks Angela Davis "What next? What can we do?" And she says there isn't one answer, we each do what we can, what comes most naturally to us and then this quote, 

"Our goal is to recreate hope in generation after generation after generation."

Hope is a revolutionary act.
Believing that things can and will get better is a revolutionary act.
Acting as if things will get better and that we are an essential part of that change is a revolutionary act.

When she said these words, I cried, because sometimes hope feels futile or naive or stupid. And that's when they win.

So let's keep hoping. Together.
 
 
5. Reaching Out

Yesterday I had the particular joy of texting with a 6 year old.

If texting emojis and telling someone they are wonderful is a job, I think I would excel at it. As far as I know, it's not, but if  YOU need someone to tell you how wonderful you are. Or that you should believe in yourself. Or that you should take a nap, I'm your person!

You are wonderful. You most definitely should believe in yourself (and believe yourself) and go take a nap, you earned it.

Wishing everyone hope and joy, they can be hard to come by but they are what keep us going and more importantly, asking questions and demanding better.

Big hugs,

Alyson

Instagram and Twitter: @byalysonshelton
* I am one thousand times better at Instagram.