The Epistle
The dark part of the year, publishing secrets, and everything I've been loving lately.
Welcome back to the Epistle, beloveds. Veil your heads, part your lips, and take a bracing sip of bittersweet wine; I’m here to ring in November with another newsletter.
News
The Literary Tarot is Available for Pre-Order!
After much anticipation, the gorgeous Literary Tarot is now available to buy! This star-studded tarot deck is inspired by literary classics, featuring tarot card and book pairings dreamt up by some amazing authors. Oh, and I'm one of those authors! I’ve chosen my card and my pairing and can’t wait to reveal what classic text I’ll be giving the tarot treatment to. Make sure to pre-order your deck early to avoid supply chain delays!
Last Chance To Book A Tarot Session
As some of you may know, I work as a professional tarot reader, specializing in intuitive, collaborative tarot for writers and other creatives. In some bittersweet news, my tarot practice Holy Roots will be going on indefinite hiatus in the new year and closing to new clients. I feel strongly that I need to focus on my writing and my literary agent clients, and not spread myself too thin. That means there’s only seven weeks left in the year to book your session with me and get onto my roster of returning clients. Returning clients will be able to book sessions with me in 2022.
If you’re interested in working together to use tarot to excavate your gifts and goodness, check out my website! I’m currently running a discounted special for creatives, so if you’re a writer, be sure to take advantage of that promotion!
“Saint’s reading was incredibly affirming. After a year of feeling like I was foundering around, starting out with a focused, joyful reading made me feel ready to kick the new year in the teeth.” - Hannah Whitten, author of FOR THE WOLF.
If you’re interested in tarot readings from me but aren’t ready to take the plunge into a private session, consider checking out my Patreon! I post tarot readings for writers every month, along with exclusive snippets, mini-essays, polls, and more, all for just 2$ a month.
Publishing Secrets
Oh, my beloved heretics and disciples, have I got some n e w s for you. Currently I’m still under a gag order, but I’m hoping that the next time I write to you, it will be with the best career news I’ve received all year. Until then, please indulge my vague-blogging! I can’t wait to share my joy with you before 2021 is wrapped. When it comes, consider it an early New Years present from yours truly ;)
Everything I’ve Been Loving Lately
I have a complicated relationship with the dark part of the year. On the one hand, darkness ushers in some of my favorite holidays, the wild, candlelit, shadowy ones touched by ancient powers. I oftentimes experience a spiritual renaissance during this period, delving back into religious and magical practices that fall by the wayside in the heady languor of summer. The dark part of the year means delicious food and comforting holiday sights and smells and more time with loved ones. But, as a creative, it’s also damn hard for me.
My body and mind wind down as soon as the sun sets, and I find myself becoming irritable or sad the moment the light winks out of the sky at 5:00 pm. Writing and thinking get harder in winter, and I have to expend a lot of energy to keep myself healthy and well, especially as we turn over a new year. But this year I’m determined to enjoy winter as much as humanely possible. I’m implementing new structures and routines, investing in candles and cozy socks, and filling my social candles with visits to the people who matter to me. I hope you’re faring well in all this dim and cold, Northern Hemisphere friends. We’re gonna make it through the dark together.
Audiobooks and Libro.fm
Praise God for audiobooks! Since the pandemic, and especially since starting agenting, my ability to read the written word for pleasure has flown right out the window. But my ability to listen, that is still healthy and well! I recently signed up for Libro.fm, an audiobook subscription model that allows you to buy books from your local bookstore. I love supporting indie businesses while filling my ears with delicious prose. Right now I’m listening to NEON GODS by Katee Robert, a spicy contemporary Hades and Persephone retelling, and THE ROCK THAT IS HIGHER by Madeline L’Engle, a nonfiction memoir interweaving writing and spirituality. My fiancé and I will be travelling to visit family within the week, and these books will be good company to me on the flight.
That’s all I have for you this month, dear reader. Be safe and well until we two meet again!
-Saint