Ever since I put out a call for self-publishers two weeks ago, I was swamped with emails. Hundreds in fact. I was stunned – I never would have thought that the blurry picture I took create such a stir. Never mind that the quality of the picture was bad or that it was blurry (it came from my 7-year old iPhone 3GS which I still use to this day because I have a weird attachment to things that I use often, like my 18-year old car!); it was shared via emails and I got to know so many new talented people because of it, so a very big thank you to everyone who got involved – whether you re-tweeted, re-grammed it or shared it though Facebook or email.
I like to start things off good news first: YES there will still be a gift guide! Although I should have thought of this way, way earlier before the crazy mad holiday season (and not to mention that I was planning to take the whole of December slow, because oh, for no other reason besides the fact it was my birthday). Ramblings aside though, I had big ambitions for it: a downloadable PDF! Beautiful layouts! Some lovely doodles on the pages (yes, how adorable!) And then, it hit me that I didn’t have enough time if I were to do up this PDF before Christmas – you’d be sighing at turkey leftovers in the fridge and stockings that would already be stuffed before I’m done.
So while I’m cutting this dangerously close to the cutoff dates of shopping deadlines for Christmas, I’ve decided to forego the nice PDF idea. No more beautiful layouts. No more doodles on the pages (oh no!), but instead, I’ll make my gift guide into short blog posts. I’ll do my best to post everyday until I’ve uncovered my finds for all to see and scavenge. So this isn’t just a gift guide for Christmas. It will be a gift guide for all seasons, because it will be a gift of words, prose, pictures and joy. And who doesn’t love a gift that will stay with you for all time, even if it isn’t on Christmas?
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Aijung Kim will be helping me with my first post – her finds are about zines (I love zines!) and they’re fantastic enough to warrant a post by itself. She’s also creates her own zines at Sprout Head and they’re one of my favourites! (Thanks Aijung!)
Celia C. Perez aka Chibrarian
I like the way she writes, makes lists, and she’s half-Mexican and half-Cuban (I think), so it’s good to hear from a different cultural perspective. I like her “Ofrenda” zine, and she did one awhile ago about turning 40, listing 40 of her favorite things. But I don’t think she offers that right now.
Katie Haegele at La La Theory Books
Katie writes prose about language and yard sales (her White Elephants series) and she also writes poetry.
Mel Stringer aka Girliepains
Mel makes cool drawings and little comics!
Maranda Elizabeth at School for Maps
Maranda writes about mental health, living in small towns, gender issues, and self-care.
Trevor Grail of flatmountainpress
I haven’t read his comics yet, but they visually look awesome.
Katie Green
Katie and I have become friends through Pikaland! I think that we first “met” when she purchased a card reading from me, and we’ve been in contact since. She makes amazing zines.
Lizzy Stewart
I love the illustrated books of Lizzy Stewart.
Jon Porcellino of King Cat
After all these years, John Porcellino is still self-publishing King Cat!
Corinne Mucha
Corinne Mucha does funny, awesome comics. She self-publishes some, and is also published by others.
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Thanks Aijung!
Thanks for including my list, Amy! I’m enjoying the rest of the self-published series as well – this is perfect for people obsessed with books and printed matter, like me!