updates & recommendations
I know, you haven’t heard from me in a while, and I’m afraid this is only going to be a brief message with a few updates about what I’ve been doing lately and some recommendations of things that have been inspiring me lately. I’m busy, busy, busy, but I wanted to at least send something out to y’all.
I’ll start with the updates:
For two weeks in late September/early October, I took a two-week intensive (online) writing workshop with Winter Tangerine. It was an amazing experience, I completed and started on what I think may be some of my best work ever. If you ever have the chance to take a Winter Tangerine workshop, I highly recommend it.
I published a compilation zine of Racine and Kenosha poets, which will soon be available for purchase in my Etsy shop. All proceeds go to the Kenosha/Racine Poets Laureate Committee.
I have a couple paintings in the October show at Left of the Lake Gallery in Kenosha.
I’m working on an essay about ghosts (sorta) that will be published in the next couple weeks. I’m also working on finishing up the revised edition of Major Arcana of the Punk Rock Tarot so I can have it out by Halloween. After I finish that up, I’ll be finishing up Reckless Chants #25.
Pioneers Press is running a contest based around my work. The deadline was originally the 1st of October, but we’ve extended it to October 31st. All the prizes are one-of-a-kind (made by me!). You can find more information here, then post your entries either on Tumblr or Instagram (#jessielynnmcmainscontest), or email them to press@wearepioneerspress.com.
As for recommendations, here's a short list of some of the books I've read and loved lately:
Sunshine State, by Sarah Gerard
Salt is for Curing, by Sonya Vatomsky
There Are More Beautiful Things Than Beyoncé, by Morgan Parker
I've also recently reread Kissing Dead Girls by Daphne Gottlieb, and The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter, and I still love them just as much as (if not more than) I did the last time I read them. I'm currently halfway through You Don't Have To Say You Love Me, by Sherman Alexie and just. Goddamn. Fuck. It's devastating and it's a must-read. And I've been floored by recent articles by Rebecca Solnit and Jeanann Verlee.
What music have I been listening to, you ask? Again, a short list:
Chelsea Wolfe - Hiss Spun
Entrance - "Not Gonna Say Your Name"
gSp - 12"
Ibeyi - Ash
Nickel & Rose
Rainer Maria - S/T
Solange - "Cranes in the Sky"
Tanya Tagaq
Tori Amos - Native Invader
+ a lot of Hüsker Dü/Grant Hart and a lot of Tom Petty (I'm so sad)
There's a lot of other stuff going on, of course, both in my life and in the world, and there's a lot I could say. But since I've got so many projects going right now, I'll end this here. I hope you're all doing well--creating, loving, holding on to hope.
xoxo,
Jessie Lynn