I was fourteen when I met James. He was the cute guy who sat next to me in history class, freshman year. Dark hair, dark eyes, tall, had a smile that left me completely breathless. He liked to mess with me, tease me about little things, like the way I laughed, which he made me do a lot. I liked his attention, liked the way he called me “Blondie,” as if somehow he was branding […]
Hi Readers! Happy October. I’m excited to share this month’s picks: a fantastic indie short fiction book, the bad-ass tarot deck I just bought, the quirky indie bookshop I found it at, the zine creator I’m obsessed with, and three shows I’m streaming. Let’s dive in. Publisher’s Picks: October 2024 Last week, I visited my hometown in Eastern Washington—Spokane—a city celebrated for its vibrant display of all four seasons. Coming from the intense Arizona heat, the […]
Have you ever felt like your world was completely turned upside down, only to realize it was exactly what you needed? Australian poet Erin Hanson is celebrated for her inspirational poetry, reflecting themes of courage and self-discovery. If you’re anything like me, you might have a crippling fear of failure that keeps you from trying anything new or stepping outside your comfort zone. After all, what if you fall? Sometimes, I feel like falling is […]
Stephanie Johnson Lawson, founder of Unencumbered Press 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 […]
