The paywall is down on my favourite posts!
Plus your chance to win Faber's best reads of the summer
Hello,
I am currently full of the very specific emotion of Septemberishness, that simultaneous feeling of anxiety and excitment which arrives without any provocation whatsover, an echo of the old school year. The air has thinned so that the cold is showing through, and the sea has turned colour to the deepest blue. I am craving knitwear.
As this is a kind of new year (and also nearly my birthday), I’m unlocking some of my favourite posts from behind the paywall this week to give you a taste of what I offer - feel free to share them with your friends.
Resting like a writer: I checked my emails on holiday and I’m not sorry, either
For your stray attention this weekend: my favourite reads on creativity and corvids
A Sunday journalling prompt to help when you’re stuck
Full video and audio of my Creative Questions session: how to make promoting your work less daunting
If you enjoyed these posts, please consider taking out a subscription if you can. I cannot tell you what a difference it makes to me as a writer to have a stable income from my newsletter that’s not contingent on the whims of commissioning editors - a place where I can write what I’m desperate to say, speaking directly people who I know will get it.
If you take out or upgrade to an annual subscription, you’ll automatically be entered into a prize draw to win the lovely book stack below, featuring five of Faber’s best September reads - including a signed copy of Enchantment. If you already have an annual subscription, don’t worry - you’ll also be entered into the draw!
The books are:
A rediscovered classic crime novel, in which three sisters try to enjoy the Great British summer holiday, but are haunted by the figure of the mysterious Uncle Paul, recently released from prison after murdering his first wife.
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
Winner of the Women’s Prize for Fiction and the Pulitzer Prize, Barbara Kingsolver transports David Copperfield to the Appalachian Mountains, creating an epic tale of poverty, ambition, love and loss.
The Wisdom of Sheep by Rosamund Young
From the author of The Secret Life of Cows, an affectionate portrait of the animals on Young’s organic farm, including conversing cows, smart chickens and sheep who herd their owners. (This is a special sneak preview - it doesn’t publish until November!)
Old God’s Time by Sebastian Barry
When a retired policeman is drawn back into an old case, time and memory not only collide, but begin to warp. The multi-award winning Sebastian Barry on peak form.
To enter the prize draw, you only need to take out an annual subscription by midnight (UK) on Tuesday 12th September. A name will be drawn at random, and we’ll email to ask your postage details. Good luck!
Thank you for all your support, lovely people 🤍
Coming up at The Clearing
Events for paid subscribers
Next Hangout: Mike Sowden, Tuesday 12th September, 7pm UK
I’m looking forward to chatting with Mike, the creator of the brilliant Everything is Amazing Substack and all-round chronicler of curiosity, attention and wonder. Join us on what’s set to be an amazing ride.
Next True Stories Book Club: Thursday 28th September, 7pm UK
September’s book club guest will be Erica Berry, talking about her book Wolfish: the stories we tell about fear, ferocity and freedom, which explores our fascination with wolves, and asks: “What does it mean to want to embody the same creature from which you are supposed to be running?” Look out for a reading guide next week.
Next Creative Questions: Wednesday 11th October, 7pm UK
If you’re got a problem or query about your creative practice, and you think I can help, send in your dilemma. I’ll pick two people for an in-depth coaching session live on Crowdcast (if you can’t make it there live, no problem!), and I’ll do my best to help you out.
We’ll send links and passwords for subscribers in the chat.
If you think a friend or loved one would enjoy The Clearing by Katherine May, gift subscriptions are available here | Website | Buy: Enchantment UK /US | Buy: Wintering UK / US | Buy: The Electricity of Every Living Thing UK / US
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Thank you for sharing these. I just subscribed. I am also a September birthday and love this time of year, it feels like things are settling and there are such mixed emotions here too - grief and wonder and love and, for me, a slipping into deep time.
p.s. If I may be a little bold - I'd love to invite you to speak in one of my online programmes (paid, obviously!) - what would be the best way for me to tell you more? After reading Wintering and Enchantment and listening to your podcast for a couple of years now, I feel our work is aligned and it would be such an honour to have a chat with you as part of my programme. Thank you