The cat seems to be missing from the local bookstore these days. But the shop smells better. How essential is a feline on the premises anyhow?

One of my favorite things to do in a new city is find the cat living in the local bookstore.

So true. Best thing is to do research on the internet, separately from writing. Make a list of internet research questions, set it aside, and shut down the browser. Agree?

Writing is 10% talent, 20% skill, and 70% not getting distracted by the internet.

That’s a Royal desktop? I miss the one I had long ago. There’s something about a desktop manual that beckons. These are great writing machines. Portable manuals are tiring on the hands. Anyone else agree?

This is a typical day in my house, with my 7-year-old working on a book. Here you can see a manuscript he is working on being edited all around the room, a set of (I think) vintage templates being used for illustrations, ink stamp letters, and of course, his 1949 typewriter being used for the final printing.

I say read the bad stuff too because you can learn from it. Agree? That said, I read a lot of print newspapers. Tuck articles in a pocket and read in a free moment. Anyone do that?

How to read like an artist

Has anyone ever sent a handwritten or typed note in the USPS mail? Just curious.

Normalise sending authors a personal message whenever you’re blown away by one of their works (with no pressure or expectation that they’ll respond).

We’re so quick to tell the world how much we hate stuff, but a quick thank you message can really make a writers’ day/week/year.

Interesting. I approached agents for nearly a year and set a deadline. If I didn’t find an agent, I’d self-publish. So I have.

But I think seeking an agent is a good practice for writing a good pitch letter. Going straight to self-publishing is a mistake for novices, IMO. Agree?

Why Most Aspiring Authors Should Forego Querying Agents

Mine’s about typewriters and letterpress. I’m passionate about both (and writing too). I’d appreciate a restack, SLART.

I'm looking for lesser-known Substacks with under 50 subscribers.

What's your newsletter about?

I’ll restack every single one to reach more readers.

“Maybe we are so entranced by vintage love letters because they feel like a relic of something we have lost.” — Rachel Syme

Agree? Don’t agree? Restack with a note, if you wish.

Book Review: Syme's Letter Writer: A Guide to Modern Correspondence

people will love this. You could build a whole envelope all around one Goodnight Moon stamp. Anyone agree?

counting down the days til the USPS Goodnight Moon stamps are released.

I’m not sure my third draft is great, but that’s OK. I’ll write until a draft is good. Anyone else with me on this?

All good writers write shitty first drafts.

This is how they end up with good second drafts and terrific third drafts.

People tend to look at successful writers who are getting their books published and think that they sit down at their desks every morning and type fully formed passages as fast as a court reporter.

But this is just the fantasy of the uninitiated.

—Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird

Starting with a passion, being consistent, and not taking yourself too seriously! That last one would be key.

I’m passionate about letterpress and typewriters and writing. Such a natural fit for my growing book coach business.

My niece who’s majoring in marketing with a minor in graphic design did an eye roll the last time I mentioned le…

How my son gained 60,000 followers in 90 days