Spring Wins - Celebrating The Work of Friends and Colleagues

Last year, I had my book come out and many people helped me. I want to put the spotlight on a few, new, valuable contributions to the culture from my people, people I know, my colleagues, and my friends. Each of these merits a full post but this will have to suffice for now. Three are Chicagoans and one (Rosie) is a former Chicagoan now in Grand Rapids, MI.

Jill Riddell's Podcast - Shape of the World - Season 6

Host Jill Riddell has been one of my greatest champions and her ongoing cultural contribution - Shape of the World, a podcast about cities and nature, has gotten off to a bang this season with its first episode featuring artist Laurie Palmer to talk about her book, The Lichen Museum.

We don't realize that lichen are everywhere and when you see them, you can't stop seeing them, and the world around you is sure to be reborn.

Take the summer to go through the episode back catalog, too. These are marvelous, important conversations. This amazing podcast on cities and nature featuring fascinating guests is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and directly on its site where it features great artwork, too.

Jill is also the founder of The Office of Modern Composition, a Chicago-based organization that helps writers and artists with coaching and hosts events.

Sophie Lucido Johnson's New Book - KIN - is available for Pre-Order

Bookshop LINK

Sophie is a tremendous force. She is the author of wonderful books, a New Yorker cartoonist, the mind behind the You Are Doing A Good Enough Job Substack and my friend. She has helped me many times and I can personally attest to her credibility on the subject of her new book-- a richly researched look, infused with her kind, funny voice, into how community support can relieve the seemingly unrelenting stress of modernity.

Bookshop LINK

Jim Stewart - Defiant Acts

Link to Purchase from Acre Books

Jim is a friend and an author and an organizer and I'm so proud (though I have nothing to do with it!) to see his debut novel in print! He was my classmate at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago and right from the beginning I felt his commitment to a) his values -- labor, organizing, racial justice, a commitment to honoring the truth, even when it isn't easy and b) his craft. I heard him read recently from Defiant Acts and he's an outstanding performer, too, and I encourage you to mark at least one of his events on your calendar.

Link to Purchase from Acre Books

Rosie Accola - Supernormal Stimuli

Link to Purchase from Bullshit Lit

Another SAIC alum, Rosie Accola is a singular presence; upbeat, funny, always ready with a quip. Full disclosure: though my copy has arrived, I haven't yet gotten stuck in. But I know Rosie and on the strength of that alone, I'm excited. It's described as a 'gay guido lyric novel' -- you know it's going to be offbeat and bizarre in the best way!

Massive congratulations to my friends and colleagues. Hopefully one or more of these sparked your curiosity and you found yourself hitting the listen or purchase link.

Link to Purchase from Bullshit Lit

Wishing you well this warm, windy Spring.

Raghav

Please Review and Rate MISSY:

If you have read MISSY and enjoyed it, then please leave a review and rating on Goodreads and Amazon. You may think it inconsequential; nothing could be further from the truth.

The best online retailers for my book are currently Waterstones and Blackwells. Here’s the India pre-order link.

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