Welcome to the UP Blog! & Two Years with “Altered Tarot: The End of Love” + a Sneak Peak at the Suit of Cups!

I’m Stephanie Johnson Lawson, and it’s my pleasure to welcome you to the UP Blog! As the founder of Unencumbered Press, I’m eager to create a unique space here by offering behind-the-scenes insights, introducing you to our talented creators, discussing publishing challenges and triumphs, and featuring guest posts from industry and cultural experts. I have several posts lined up and plan to publish at least three weekly.

Your feedback and content requests are always welcome, so please leave a comment. Together, let’s make this blog a place for inspiration, collaboration, and connection.

Today, I want to reflect on a project that is particularly special to me: Altered Tarot: The End of Love.

Around this time, in 2022,  Robyn Tanksley and Kristin Hiatt, both veteran elementary teachers and my former colleagues, brought the project to me, an aspiring publisher eager to take on new challenges. The duo had previously self-published a collection of Robyn’s poetry paired with Kristin’s photography, and they had a clear vision of how they wanted this second publication to take shape.

Robyn and Kristin had such passion and infectious dedication, and it was clear that this was a project worth investing in. I had two years of publishing experience with Ooligan Press and a graduate degree in book publishing, but this would be my first fully independent project. 

This fall marks two years since we published their unique, bold blend of poetry and photography. 

An immersive exploration of surviving a volatile love and healing through intimate poetry and haunting photography.

ALTERED TAROT: THE END OF LOVE asks readers to disentangle from the past and prepare for what is approaching. r. tanksley’s deeply personal poems are set atop k. hiatt’s bold photography creating a work that exemplifies the duality inherently present in the world. This duality, an important aspect of tarot practice, manifests in the spaces between day and night, black and white, negative and positive—the spaces between raw emotion and spiritual familiarity. 

Containing more than eighty affecting poems and photographs and organized into a 5-card tarot spread in four parts, this collection traverses the elements air, water, earth, and fire, and maps an unending journey of self-discovery. Present themes include loss, heartache, trauma, womanhood, and finding power in actively healing.

“Robyn Tanksley has danced with the Devil and somehow managed to not only have survived it, but to have chronicled the odyssey in vivid, poetic detail. Through its unique and gripping format, Altered Tarot[: The End of Love] leads the reader through romance, abuse, heartbreak, and eventual recovery, experienced as a tarot reading. Tanksley’s elegant poetry is paired beautifully with Kristin Hiatt’s dreamily somber photography, together creating an experience that is chilling and transformational. An insightful union of two voices, one photographic and one written, in harmony, Altered Tarot is a poetic report from the other side of chaos on how to navigate your way there.” —ROBERT WYNIA, author of Night Walks: Poems and Lyrics

“There are moments in each poem that I found myself, that gave voice to places in my soul undiscovered. The words of the pages helping name and express emotions and thoughts that wondered in the dark unheard. When you find yourself questioning a relationship including one with self, this beautiful piece of work will help you navigate through the darkness back up to the light.” —XÓCHITL BUDREAUX, certified healer and leader of traditional cacao ceremony 

Working on The End of Love has been an extraordinary experience. Witnessing the project’s impact and knowing it has touched so many lives has been incredibly rewarding. The community’s support has been overwhelming, with enthusiastic turnouts at the Rose City Book Pub for readings and stories shared by the creators.

Readers have shared heartfelt reviews of how the book helped them navigate their own emotional journeys. The vivid imagery and profound words have resonated deeply, allowing individuals to confront and heal from their past experiences. Some have mentioned that the book gave them a new perspective on their personal relationships, while others found comfort in knowing they were not alone in their struggles. Such feedback underscores the transformative power of The End of Love, reinforcing our commitment to publishing works that inspire and connect with readers on a profound level.

Collaborating with Kristin on the front cover design, featuring the striking flame photograph, was a particularly memorable part of the process. We wanted the cover to capture the intense emotions and themes explored in the book, and I believe we succeeded. 

Looking Ahead

I am pleased to announce our upcoming Tarot card deck from the creators of The End of Love. This exquisitely crafted collection will guide you on a journey of love and self-discovery. The set features a stunning deck of 78 cards, each adorned with a beautiful photograph by Kristin, accompanied by a comprehensive booklet with an introduction and poems by Robyn, all enclosed in a beautifully designed box. This new deck continues our mission of promoting healing and inspiration, offering a unique tool for reflection and growth.

We are preparing to launch a Kickstarter campaign to fund this project, following the success of many creators on this platform. Stay tuned for information and the release date announcement.

Below, you can explore the entire suit of Cups and read the card meanings. Your support will make this journey possible, and we are delighted to share it with you.

The deck invites readers to delve into the depths of love and self-awareness through each card’s unique artistry and profound meanings. Prepare for emotional and spiritual discovery with the Altered Tarot deck. More details about this project will be shared soon.