Kaitlin, I am a new subscriber to your Substack, and I just want to tell you how grateful I was to read this today. Like you, writing was a stable and steady source of grounding for me as a child. Reading, too, connects me to other worlds and imaginations and ideas and cultures that I could never, in this lifetime, achieve on my own.
And relationships matter, perhaps now more than ever. In this isolating society, we need the reminder you offer to us today that authentic connections are the basis of writer-reader relationships. They strengthen, encourage, and uplift us. They're the reason we do what we do. It's a powerful testament to how books can change lives and hearts.
I'm currently in a graduate certificate program and my class this semster is on narrative ethics and theopoetics. This week in our reading there is this idea that says "the birth of the reader must be at the cost of the death of the Author." I'm grateful that it's not either authors or readers but rather a sacred kinship.
Thank you for sharing your wise words and tangible suggested actions.
In a world full of deep and giant systems that need changing, one small purchase or note may feel insignificant. However, these small acts of kindness and connection reaffirm our humanity and disrupt the consume-like-digest-repeat cycle. I hope you get LOTS of love from your readers!
Thank you for this series, Kaitlin. My older brother was a writer, poet and teacher, and our youngest son is a writer as well. I write, too, but it feels like the difference between someone who can fix things at home and someone who is an actual tradesperson, such as a carpenter. Regardless I have shared your series with our son, and I know my brother would be resonating with your words and your work, and I wish we could share our excitement for your work with each other. Even with all of the privileges he and my family have because of our identies and placement in the world, he was harmed and traumatized by a publjshing system and an academic climate that seemed to value things differently than he did.
Your work and writing have been one of the most influential and essential sources I have found to sustain me through the rigors and wierdness of these pandemic and quasi/post pandemic times. I have written poetry and such since 7th grade, gasp, over 50 years ago, and rarely if ever shared any of it except in rare circumstances. After participating simply by reading in your May poetry prompts in May of 2022, this past year, 2023, I shared each day with the group and it was transformative. The kind and gracious space you created and held, and the honesty and depth of your wisdom said to me, this person of privelege, that this is a safe place to share, listen and respond. I am forever grateful.
One other way that I have tried to share your incredible work is donating your books to local libraries and with groups doing justice, anti-racism and post colonial work. I'll keep doing that!
The words below are the words that grabbed me spiritually and quickly penetrated my heart and just held me in a place of silence for a moment. This sounds like me and I definitely want to follow your words and connect with your heart as you express yourself to all who are connected to your journey.
“I am a writer because: Words have always been my safe place, my haven, Words have held me close when people couldn’t. Words have allowed me to move through so many different seasons of my life. Become a better reader and learn and use the life experiences of others.”
I agree with to be a better Human Being comes from an incredibly sacred relationship with those in your life who love and respect you.
My DNA has me linked to many nations throughout the world, but Indigenous is not one of them. I do have an Indigenous link that comes from my Half Brother and the term half brother seems demeaning when your love for each other is that of Brother. My brother is part Cherokee. I Love how his dad excepted me fully and cared for me and loved me just as much as my brother. He excepted me into his tribe as an equal and showed me kindness, compassion and a love that is indescribable in a way. There was definitely a father connection and I will never forget him.
I’m going to continue to follow you and get to know you better through your words. I look forward to what’s next.
Human beings are all created from God and I know that God loves all of us, because His Word tells how we are made.
God formed our inward parts; He knitted us together in our mother's womb.
He tells us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Gods works; my soul knows it very well.
I'm so grateful to have found your writing, Kaitlin. The work you do here and through your books is so meaningful. Living Resistance was one of the most beautiful and important books I have ever read. I pre-ordered your newest book and can't wait to share it with my kids. We already love Winter's Gifts.
Kaitlin, I am a new subscriber to your Substack, and I just want to tell you how grateful I was to read this today. Like you, writing was a stable and steady source of grounding for me as a child. Reading, too, connects me to other worlds and imaginations and ideas and cultures that I could never, in this lifetime, achieve on my own.
And relationships matter, perhaps now more than ever. In this isolating society, we need the reminder you offer to us today that authentic connections are the basis of writer-reader relationships. They strengthen, encourage, and uplift us. They're the reason we do what we do. It's a powerful testament to how books can change lives and hearts.
Thank you thank you for this.
I'm currently in a graduate certificate program and my class this semster is on narrative ethics and theopoetics. This week in our reading there is this idea that says "the birth of the reader must be at the cost of the death of the Author." I'm grateful that it's not either authors or readers but rather a sacred kinship.
Thank you for sharing your wise words and tangible suggested actions.
In a world full of deep and giant systems that need changing, one small purchase or note may feel insignificant. However, these small acts of kindness and connection reaffirm our humanity and disrupt the consume-like-digest-repeat cycle. I hope you get LOTS of love from your readers!
Thank you for this series, Kaitlin. My older brother was a writer, poet and teacher, and our youngest son is a writer as well. I write, too, but it feels like the difference between someone who can fix things at home and someone who is an actual tradesperson, such as a carpenter. Regardless I have shared your series with our son, and I know my brother would be resonating with your words and your work, and I wish we could share our excitement for your work with each other. Even with all of the privileges he and my family have because of our identies and placement in the world, he was harmed and traumatized by a publjshing system and an academic climate that seemed to value things differently than he did.
Your work and writing have been one of the most influential and essential sources I have found to sustain me through the rigors and wierdness of these pandemic and quasi/post pandemic times. I have written poetry and such since 7th grade, gasp, over 50 years ago, and rarely if ever shared any of it except in rare circumstances. After participating simply by reading in your May poetry prompts in May of 2022, this past year, 2023, I shared each day with the group and it was transformative. The kind and gracious space you created and held, and the honesty and depth of your wisdom said to me, this person of privelege, that this is a safe place to share, listen and respond. I am forever grateful.
One other way that I have tried to share your incredible work is donating your books to local libraries and with groups doing justice, anti-racism and post colonial work. I'll keep doing that!
I just preordered Summer's Magic! I am so grateful to follow your work and for you allowing us into your life with the words you write!
Kaitlin,
The words below are the words that grabbed me spiritually and quickly penetrated my heart and just held me in a place of silence for a moment. This sounds like me and I definitely want to follow your words and connect with your heart as you express yourself to all who are connected to your journey.
“I am a writer because: Words have always been my safe place, my haven, Words have held me close when people couldn’t. Words have allowed me to move through so many different seasons of my life. Become a better reader and learn and use the life experiences of others.”
I agree with to be a better Human Being comes from an incredibly sacred relationship with those in your life who love and respect you.
My DNA has me linked to many nations throughout the world, but Indigenous is not one of them. I do have an Indigenous link that comes from my Half Brother and the term half brother seems demeaning when your love for each other is that of Brother. My brother is part Cherokee. I Love how his dad excepted me fully and cared for me and loved me just as much as my brother. He excepted me into his tribe as an equal and showed me kindness, compassion and a love that is indescribable in a way. There was definitely a father connection and I will never forget him.
I’m going to continue to follow you and get to know you better through your words. I look forward to what’s next.
Human beings are all created from God and I know that God loves all of us, because His Word tells how we are made.
God formed our inward parts; He knitted us together in our mother's womb.
He tells us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Gods works; my soul knows it very well.
Take Care! Larry
I'm so grateful to have found your writing, Kaitlin. The work you do here and through your books is so meaningful. Living Resistance was one of the most beautiful and important books I have ever read. I pre-ordered your newest book and can't wait to share it with my kids. We already love Winter's Gifts.