Hello Friends!

Last you heard from me I was launching a mysterious quicksilver beast called a Kickstarter for a comic book I wrote and created, REBURN.
 
It's gone well. Incredibly well and I have many of you to thank - so thank you.
 
If you haven't backed it and would still like to, follow this LINK.
 
The KICKSTARTER closes at 9AM PST on FRIDAY, but really do it before then, if you'd like to back it.
 
Quick Explanation of Kickstarter: There are lots of tiers on Kickstarter. Check them out. And now, if you buy the physical copy our book for $15 + shipping you will also get lots of FREEBIES including a Metallic REBURN Bookmark, a PDF copy of Turner Family Terrors Issue #1, 2 REBURN Stickers, A 'Poppy' 5x7 Bookplate, REBURN Magnet, Audio Commentary and a 4 page PDF preview of ISSUE #2. 
 
Many of you backed this project which feels frikkin' fantastic, because I get to keep doing something I love, writing and creating a world where a woman, our main character MAY, finds the pieces of her soul and does her best to put them back together, while throwing fireballs and doing various other badass things. Pretty much, it's my life story.
 
We launched our KICKSTARTER with a goal of $7K. We discussed this number quite a bit because if you don't make your goal, you don't get any of your money AND Kickstarter is forever. The campaigns, whether they are successful or not, are saved for posterity. 
 
$7K covered the art (paying the artists and letterer) and printing costs of ISSUE #1, but not the shipping costs or Kickstarter Fees, but we made enough for that, YES! And enough to cover all our EXTRAS and get well into ISSUE #2. JOY! When a person sees a number like $19K it might feel like a lot of money, and it is, but I want all our backers to know that the money goes right back into making the book and expanding the world. We won't be sipping Dom on Friday, we'll be doing the same things as before but with the shot of confidence that comes from having HUNDREDS of people care about what you're doing. 
 
It feels pretty damn FANTASTIC.

All the virtual hugs,

Alyson

 
*Please forward this to anyone you think might even be mildly interested in REBURN or ME.

Hello All!
 Thanks for being here for my second bimonthly (ish) newsletter. Well, it’s been an eventful few months for, most importantly, our nation, but also for me.
 Feeling grateful that we are still healthy (also knocking on wood). Here in Los Angeles, the reality of Covid is ever present, I am looking forward to the day (not any time soon) when I receive my vaccine. 
 #1 I created and wrote a comic! 

REBURN Issue #1 - Kickstarter Launch this Wednesday, January 27th. Yes, this Wednesday. Yes, if you’re keeping count, the day before my birthday. Yes, there’s nothing I’d like more for my birthday than for you to back this campaign. We have tiers staring at $5, and we appreciate your support, in any amount.

Click here to navigate to our pre-launch page and to create a Kickstarter account if you don’t already have one.
 
*Joyful reminder, if you're interested in backing the campaign it would be absolutely terrific if you did it on January 27th, don't worry, I'll send you a brief reminder on Wednesday.
 

#2 Here are a few essays I wrote for you to enjoy, one light, one heavy and one in between, just to keep it fresh.

Here they are, from fluffiest to weightiest:

My First Talent Crush in Hobart Pulp

The Exact Right Place in 3Elements Review
(Fun fact: Every writer must use 3 selected words, in this issue the words were: Trapeze, Pinprick and Calico).

Not Fine, Never Fine in Inlandia Journal (audio included)
 #3 What I’m reading and watching

Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid. I tore through this book. It’s a page-turner, yes, but it's more, incredibly real characters navigating the seemingly straight-forward complexities of life. I thought she made all of it look quite effortless but I know better.
 Dragon Hoops by Gene Luen Yang. I’m a fan of Yang and love all of his books, this one is no exception. If you have a basketball fan in your house, read it!
 Promising Young Woman, a Dark Comedy written and directed by Emerald Fennell (Yes! Camilla from The Crown) and starring Carey Mulligan. It cuts deep, doesn’t apologize and makes you think.
 #4 Sincere Closing


Thanks for reading this and walking this road with me. I’ve shared on social media that 2020 was the year I owned the word writer. Like, "Hey, I’m a writer.” I appreciate each and everyone of you that has played a part in this journey. Sincerely.
 All the virtual hugs,
 Alyson 

Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @byalysonshelton
 P.S. As always, I’d love to hear what you’re reading and doing. And if you have a cool (or uncool) friend who would like to receive this in their inbox, please forward!

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​Hello Friends!

 This is the very first installment of my bimonthly (ish) newsletter. You are receiving it because you’ve subscribed (thank you!) or expressed interest in my writing or opinions (I’m blushing). 
 I’ve been busy. We all have been, right? Busy voting. Surviving. Trying not to doomscroll or envision ourselves in Handmaid’s Tale outfits going by names like Ofcody. Heavy sigh. Shake it off, onto the news!

 #1 I wrote a play! What Brought Me Here (November 5th to 23rd) One to One Virtual Experience at Open Book Theatre Company. Yes, you read that right, One to One. Don’t get nervous, all you have to do is watch, hmmmm, be an audience member. No talking necessary is my point. 

 Learn more and buy tickets here: TICKETS

 #2 Essays. So proud. Some are funny. Some are not.(Let's be clear, they get jealous if I praise one more than the others).

 Funny ones: 
1. Lucky Little Girl at Bending Genres
2. My Mean Girl: Or Being Told Your Forehead is Too Big for Anyone For Anyone to Ever Love You at LOL Comedy
3. My First Talent Crush at Hobart Pulp
4. Trying on New Names: My Childhood Adventures Visiting Hertha, the Numerologist at LOL Comedy

Get a Tissue:
1. The Repercussions of Trauma as a Former Patient of Dr. George Tyndall at Ms. Magazine
2. Stop is a Complete Sentence at Survivor Lit

#3 Reburn, Issue #1 - A Comic Book Kickstarter launching in January These characters have lived with me for a long time. I love them, if you love them just a fraction of how much we do, we have a hit on our hands. The digital version of the first issue will be complete in December, ready to email to you the minute our Kickstarter ends. Print versions will come not long after.

It’s gorgeous, thanks to artist Elise McCall, colorist Ruth Ilano and letterer Joamette Gil. If you have ever fantasized about finding love and acting out vengeance upon those who have wronged you, this book is for you. Bonus points if you imagined doing this while summoning fire balls with your hands.


#4 What I’m reading:  

Caste by Isabel Wilkerson - If you have ever caught yourself wondering why people believe in QAnon or think Amy Coney Barrett is a qualified judge, let alone Supreme Court Justice, read this book. Wilkerson posits and proves IMPO (In My Passionate Opinion) that America operates under a caste system and that the dominant caste (White folx and whoever they let in from time to time to make sure they stay in charge) will create any kind of nonsense to hold onto their dominance. Sounds right to me. Let’s get to work.
 
Solutions and Other Problems by Allie Brosh - If you are a nihilist with a sense of humor and enjoy childlike drawings, this book is for you!
 
You Exist Too Much by Zaina Arafat - A powerful and beautifully written exploration of trauma, identity and recovery through the lens of Arafat’s Palestenian-American Queer love addicted protagonist. Superb!


#5 Sincere Closing

Thanks for taking a moment to read my words. The pandemic has kicked my ass, certainly, but it's also pushed me out into the world and instructed me. Use your words. Sure, it's uncomfortable, vaguely terrifying and 100% necessary. May we all use our words to make this world a better place. One day at time. We can do this.

All the hugs (virtual for now), Alyson


P.S. Tell me what you're reading and loving. Or really anything (positive) at all, I love correspondence.

*Did a wonderful, funny friend forward this to you? Sign up here to join my mailing list. (Please.)



Alyson Shelton did some things! Read about it here. by alysonshelton
Westside Los Angeles, CA 90230 USA 
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