Publisher’s Picks for September 2024

Welcome to the inaugural post in my “Publisher’s Picks” series🙌🏻.

Each month, I’ll share some of the shit—the creators, products, media, etc.—that is currently helping me navigate the beautiful/intense/wild… chaos of daily life. 

I don’t subscribe to the idea that everything happens for a reason or that life has a predetermined purpose. Instead, I believe in being present and finding joy in the here and now. In an uncertain world, it is our actions, thoughts, and behaviors that create meaning, hopefully shaping a safe and happy world—which is really all I want for myself and all of us. 

With these posts, I aim to elevate voices and projects that align with Unencumbered Press’s mission while also connecting with you personally. By sharing what I love, I’m being transparent and vulnerable, letting you in on some of what I’m digging right now and why. It’s my way of fostering a deeper connection with you, my readers.

And so, to borrow a phrase from one of my favorite news commentary content creators, the ever-relevant Philip DeFranco: Let’s just jump into it!

You Need Muses!

Although fueled by an entrepreneurial spirit, I understand that drive and motivation alone won’t guarantee success, especially as a newcomer in any industry. You need muses!

(I have so many.) I look to publishers and media producers who push boundaries and forge deep connections with audiences to remind me of the transformative power of independent publishing and inspire me to carry that same bold spirit into my own journey.

This month, I want to spotlight one of my muse indie publishers: Melville House.

With a thought-provoking catalog, Melville House resonates with me. Their books aren’t just stories—they’re invitations to think, question, and engage with the world more profoundly. If you’re interested in lit-fic, creative nonfiction, and poetry, I highly recommend exploring their catalog and adding a few titles to your TBR lists.

While their mission and vision might not be explicitly stated on their website, you can easily infer it through their published works and excellent blog content.

I’m currently reading Technofeudalism: What Killed Capitalism by Yanis Varoufakis.

—or at least I was until my library hold expired. I’ll dive back in as soon as it’s available again. If you’ve read it, or have thoughts on it, please comment!

Yanis Varoufakis is an economist, author, and former Greek finance minister known for insightful global politics and economics critiques.

I had the ebook checked out on my Libby app but procrastinated until I had just one week left. I can’t read 300+ pages of creative nonfiction in a week, but I figured I’d start and see if it was worth renewing the hold.

Once I finally dove in, Varoufakis’s storytelling—his voice and personal anecdotes—made complex ideas surprisingly intimate and accessible. I’m only through chapter one, but it feels like I’ve been invited into his childhood, sitting by the fire with him and his father, discovering the properties of metals. Now, I’m in an eleven-week queue, eagerly waiting to delve deeper into his argument that technofeudalism is reshaping our world, threatening liberal individualism, climate efforts, and democracy itself. This book exemplifies the thought-provoking work that Melville House consistently delivers, challenging us to rethink the forces shaping our world today.

Dive deeper by reading or watching the author’s video essay on the press’s MobyLives blog. Until, of course, you can get your hands on a copy from the publisher or your local library or bookshop. 

Discovering a New Old Film

Why am I always so surprised when I stumble upon a Hollywood flick from the 90s or 2000s that I haven’t seen? Maybe it’s because I assume I’ve already absorbed all the significant cultural touchstones from that era, which obviously can’t be true, lol.

But I love it 🤷🏼‍♀️. I love the “I can’t believe you haven’t seen that?!!” moments.

There’s always more to discover, even in what we think we know well. The impact of something shifts depending on when and where we encounter it—how it resonates with who we are at that moment. Watching something for the first time now, with the perspective that age and experience bring, adds a depth of meaning that might (and likely would) have been lost on a younger version of myself.

Still, I was all, “How have I not seen this?! ” in disbelief and feeling nostalgic when I was recently shown the preview of the 1998 Warren Beatty dark comedy Bulworth. With a big bowl of microwaved popcorn and the lights dimmed, I agreed to watch the thing. I thoroughly enjoyed it. 

The movie is wild. It’s satirical, cynical, goofy, and even problematic. Beatty plays Senator Jay Bulworth, a disillusioned, quintessentially privileged white politician overwhelmed by the corrupt and superficial nature of his career. He hires a hitman to assassinate himself, but the impending doom liberates him to speak with unprecedented honesty, confronting everything from political power and suicidal ideation to systemic racism and class inequality.

It hit hard and felt grossly relevant. The movie’s sharp commentary exposes uncomfortable truths about our society. While the rapping and romantic subplot are cringy, the film’s more profound points still resonate.

It’s an unfiltered exploration of what happens when someone at the pinnacle of power decides they’ve had enough of pretense. Bulworth forces us to confront societal contradictions while making us laugh—and sometimes scoff. It challenges us to consider how much has changed and what stubbornly remains the same.

Allison Russell’s Music is My Creative Companion

Lately, I’ve been deep into the production and design work for our upcoming Altered Tarot deck (stay tuned for info), and let’s be real—working creatively can be taxing. That’s where Allison Russell comes in. I recently (finally) discovered her, and I am OBSESSED. Her music is funky, uplifting, and deeply resonant. Tracks like Persephone, Hy-Brasil, Springtime, and Demons are on repeat for me. They weave personal stories with themes of mythology, resilience, healing, and transformation. It complements my work and helps me stay reflective and self-compassionate. If you haven’t experienced her music yet, I highly recommend streaming her albums or playlists.

Three Kickstarter Campaigns Worthy of Your Support