As We Close This Year

Posted on December 30, 2019 by

81 Comments

2019 has been, well, it’s been, for me, full. This year I achieved a dream I first imagined when I was seven years old, and that was to become a published author. Technically, this happened in 2018 with my inclusion in Indie Blu(e)‘s We Will Not Be Silenced anthology. But I am more specifically referring to a full book, by me.

Many years ago I sent a book I wrote through the snail mail (this WAS is 1992 after all) to a publisher, who mailed me a letter back a few months later to say they would be happy to publish my book… but I ended up asking them to mail my book back to me. I still have it in my file box.

Fast forward, eh, 27 years and I published my first book Fallen Star Rising through Raw Earth Ink. I realized a dream. I still look at it with pride and happiness and there’s just nothing like signing a copy and mailing it off to a fan or reader or someone I’ve never heard of previously.

I’ve definitely got more in me.

But honestly, storytelling is my true heart. Whether I tell a piece of a story through poetry or through actual, you know, stories. (Which may explain why my book of poetry tells an overall story itself.) Add that to my passion for reading excellent work… well, the next dream for me was to publish a book of short stories by excellent writers. To allow them to see their own potential. To get their work into people’s hands.

Thus was Static Dreams: A Dark Anthology from Twisted Minds born. To see these authors published feels nearly as amazing as seeing my first book published. (I actually mean that.) I am so proud of these two books. Every story is unique and wonderful and twisted in its own way. I am so completely honored that these guys trusted me with their work and took this gamble with me. I couldn’t be more humbled or excited.

During this time Indie Blu(e) also published a few more of my poems in their book Smitten. I wasn’t sure editor Candice Daquin would approve any of my pieces as my writing tends to be a bit sensual (cough) but she approved a couple of them and I am immensely honored to be a part of that project.

So where to from here? I’ve got plans and books in the works. But I also am looking for more authors to publish under Raw Earth Ink. Because I am passionate about reading and excellent writing. Because I believe your art is worth the time and energy. Many authors find publishing initially with small house publishers gives their work credence and they have a better chance at being picked up by a large house later on. And some authors just prefer working with small house publishers because of the personal care and attention they receive. Either way, I’m hoping to find like-minded writers to partner with. Starting next year. 2020. Seems like a good time for new(ish) beginnings, right?

Love and light to you all, friends.

~tara caribou, Raw Earth Ink

Let me know in the comments some highlights of your year. What sort of plans do you have for this next year?

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81 Comments on “As We Close This Year”

  1. Congratulations Tara on a fruitful year. Wishing this is just the beggining and looking forward to reading more of published work. Peace and joy to you also in 2020. Xoxo

    Liked by 1 person

    • Yes!! To both! For the short story, do you already have some publications in mind or is that a ‘no’ and why you haven’t yet? Or something else entirely?

      Liked by 1 person

      • I searched a few places online when I finished it, but a short film company in England wanted to make a film out of it. So I held off. But they haven’t done anything in about 6 months and apparently want to do other things first. I’m getting impatient haha

        Liked by 1 person

        • Oh okay! Six months is a long time to wait for some sort of moving-forward. Ugh. But it bodes well if someone wanted to make it multi-media. I’d love to know who ends up picking it up. Get it out there!! You know… in between finishing the novel and reading and reviews and blogging and life and all lol

          Liked by 1 person

        • Yea, so little time and so many things 😂 may start keeping my peepers out for anthologies. Writing a short amidst writing a novel at least gives that little break 🙂

          Liked by 1 person

        • Absolutely! Death’s Head Press does horror anthologies, you might want to check them out. My friend Mike Ennenbach has had a few things published by them, so I figure they must be good! I don’t write horror myself (though I did have a bit of a debate with someone about that when they read my first story in Static Dreams Vol 1. Which apparently seemed like horror to him. ha!) I don’t know…. if I think of any other horror publishers I’ll make note of it.

          Liked by 1 person

    • Hey thanks Steven. I was just thinking about you like 30 minutes ago! I hope you are well and I always enjoy your posts and look forward to whatever you put out there next. (Even when you have comments turned off 😩)

      Liked by 1 person

        • Oh I know, I know. I’m not offended or anything. I have on occasion turned off comments myself. And I’m sure with your subject matter, philosophy being SO misunderstood and undervalued in this day… you probably get some pretty ridiculous comments from alllll sides. I’m just grateful you share. I guess especially because our philosophical reasoning is very very similar. In fact, whenever I discuss this sort of thing with people, I always direct them to your site because you word things so perfectly.

          Liked by 1 person

        • Aw, you have made my day. Thank you so much. One of the reasons I turn off comments is because, having been doing this since 2012, the same things come up again and again (which is fair enough because I can’t expect people to read all my posts before commenting!). I could let people comment and simply not respond, but that would be rather odd. Also, when I turn the comments off it’s a like a huge weight off my mind because I’m often terrified of what people are going to say in response to my often controversial posts. It’s a real predicament though because I know people like to comment (as do I!) and don’t want people to feel like I’m shutting them out. Perhaps I should put a note at the end of every post where I close comments saying why they are closed?

          Liked by 1 person

        • I don’t know. Personally I don’t feel that you should explain yourself in your posts. I’m of the opinion that most people already understand why…. but I think you should do what you feel the best about. To me, I’m never offended. I’m just a commenter is all lol I know sometimes it will be open and sometimes not. I’m just glad to read your words.

          Liked by 1 person

        • That’s good to know you’re not offended. And I’ll stop commenting here now because I don’t want to hijack your comments section causing you to turn off comments 😁

          Liked by 1 person

        • I read your exchange with Tara regarding your comments.
          What’s the reason for your blogging if you don’t want to have a discussion with others? (This is not an attack on you, just to help me understand why one would do something like that.)

          Liked by 1 person

        • Hey Goldie, I have read a lot of blogs over the years and I’ve seen many who close comments, either sometimes (like I do and Steven) or always. Here are a few observations I’ve made regarding it.
          -closed due to content that may incite rudeness or negative comments
          -closed due to sensitive content
          -closed because the author is in an emotional place and uses the blog as an outlet/journal and cannot bear interactions
          -closed due to not being able to handle or properly respond to the high volume of comments

          Personally I generally close comments when I write about self-harm or suicide. This is because I have observed that I get an influx of comments about seeking help or to not do that or that I am cared for etc etc etc. They are always well-meaning. But I am either in a mindset that I will not respond well (coming off as rude perhaps) or I don’t have the emotional energy to respond kindly.

          In the end, we all blog for different reasons. And while I love having the ability to comment and interact with those I read, sometimes we can’t. In the case of Steven, I know that push comes to shove, I can send him an email and we can discuss something one on one. He is one who is always very thoughtful in his responses and due to his content being of a religious/anti-religion philosophical nature, those comment conversations can be quite lengthy I’ve noticed. And also many times the questions people asks are ones he has thoroughly addressed on many previous occasions. It must get tedious, I imagine.

          These are just some thoughts and things I’ve noticed. Thanks for asking!

          Liked by 2 people

        • Fair enough. Thank you for sharing your observations. I definitely understand some of the reasons. But why wouldn’t you just write a post and make it private if it’s something sensitive that you want to get out, but don’t want others to comment for whatever reason? Would that just be to provoke thought in others?

          Liked by 1 person

        • I can only speak from my own reasons, so that’s what I’ll address. For me, I occasionally write about molestation, deep depression, suicidal thoughts and self harm because I believe that it is important to give voice to those who haven’t found theirs yet or never had the chance. I don’t do this to glamorize or sensationalize these things but to shine light in dark places. By voicing these things, I acknowledge them but remove much of their power. Yes they are my reality, but I use my art (not just my writing) as a way of taking control over the anxiety and OCD and memories and scars and pain. I refuse to just not talk about it because it’s real and happens so very often. Much like in Reverberation, eh?

          So that’s why I post. I began turning off comments because, while well-meaning, the comments were draining my energy. I get emails here and there and I can handle that. But then I have some who don’t understand the full situation (nor will ANYone really) and go off with advice that isn’t helpful. I found I would trigger off these comments. So in these cases I turn comments off.

          Several times I have been in the throes of depression and have thought to myself, no one really cares for real so why let them placate me with shallow niceties and I turned off comments altogether for a while. But I didn’t really believe that. I generally think the best about people (some say I am naive) and I believe if someone says something here, they didn’t have to take the time to say it. So they must mean it. So, I’ve had rude comments and lewd comments and downright mean comments and enlightening comments and excellent discussions and encouraging comments and great ideas and deep thoughts and everything in between.

          Does this answer your question?

          Liked by 2 people

        • I think the “giving voice” was what I was looking for. It’s something that didn’t jump at me at first, but it makes perfect sense.
          Thanks, Tara!

          Liked by 1 person

  4. You are truly inspiring Tara Caribou of my heart, you have nourished me with your words and helped me grow as very few others ever have. Congratulation on all you have strived for and achieved.
    The highlight of my year was learning a whole lot more about love than I knew before, I’ve had good teachers.
    And my plan for the future is to take myself seriously enough to approach a publisher, I have one mind.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Brilliant, Tara! Well done. Congratulations on your accomplishments and new beginnings. You already know how I feel about the opportunity I received to publish with you. It gave me wings to work on my novel more.
    Cheers to 2020!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Each publishing house has different ways of doing things. That particular one (and you’ll still see this nowadays) required for me to pay them $2,000 to publish. Once printed, I received a stack of books I could sell on my own to ‘make money’ from. Simply put, I didn’t have $2,000 to pay them nor the resources to sell books.

      I may someday actually publish it. But it requires a LOT of work in my opinion. For now, it’s a memory of something that encouraged me to keep writing and creating art, even if the timing was off.

      Liked by 1 person

    • Thanks River. I am so humbled by your continued friendship and support. You have pushed me to be a better writer and I always stretch and grow in your shadow.

      What sort of goals do you have for next year?

      Liked by 1 person

      • Gosh, I don’t know. I don’t usually set goals. I suppose . . . Spend as much time as I can with my daughter. Try not to be an asshole. Keep writing and hopefully improve as I go. Help others to get their work published.

        Liked by 1 person

        • What’s that you say? Another short story collection in the works?? Why River, you positively read my mind!! 😉

          I think, honestly, those are noble goals and ones I do believe you can accomplish. I’ve tossed Potters Grove out a bit here and there for people to investigate. I hope that a few of them have reached out to you and even signed with you.

          Liked by 1 person

        • I’ve got quite a few stories written. Hopefully I’ll get a collection out next year.

          Thanks. I’ve gotten a lot more submissions than I expected, which is a good thing.

          Liked by 1 person

  11. A great year for you, Tara, about which I am delighted. Personally for you to publish one of my stories was/is a dream come true. Some years ago I did submit various stories and began a collection of rejection letters, so when you picked up my submission I was apprehensive to say the leadt: that it met with your approval meant the world. Hopefully, for both of us, there will be plenty more to come!
    All the best
    Chris

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Congratulations on everything this year. As I have said before, one of the highlights of my year has been contributing to Static Dreams. It was such an honor to be included in that project!

    Liked by 1 person

      • There are several stories I have planned that I want to finish and tell here on wordpress. Through those, I hope to become a better writer and learn more about how to hone my process. Basically, I want to be more intentional about writing and set myself some deadlines.

        Liked by 1 person

        • That’s wonderful!! I hope you will post more on your blog. Maybe set a goal of once every two months or something, ANYTHING for those of us who adore your writing.

          I think those are really good goals and I look forward to more of your work. Someday. I want to see your name on my bookshelf, my friend!

          Liked by 1 person

        • Thank you, Tara. I appreciate your kind words, as always. And yes, I do have several long-term goals, one of which will hopefully put my name on your bookshelf 🙂

          Liked by 1 person

  13. Being published in Static Dreams was really a highlight of this year for me and came at a time when I really needed it, and I’m very grateful to you for that. In fact I’m really just grateful for the opportunity to share space with other authors. And speaking of opportunities I work in a library and I always enjoy discovering new writers and recommending that the library purchase their books.
    The library might only purchase one copy of your book but it will be preserved and it also makes it available for discovery by others.

    Liked by 1 person

    • I was honored to include your story, just a really fantastic piece that made me want to read more from you.

      I am hoping a library will pick up some of my books because then I’ll get the library of Congress number plus, just think of how many people would then have access to it! I have plans of going to a local library and asking if they’ll carry a copy. It just takes one to enter in all the information into the system and would actually be another dream come true of mine: for library users to have access to my books. Some people want money, I just want to get the work out there in the hands of true readers.

      As a side note, I have tried quite a few times to leave comments on your posts but every single time it comes up with an error. I don’t know why I can’t comment on it. Maybe you could look in your WordPress spam and junk folders and see if they go there? A lot of times I want to comment but I know it won’t let me.

      Liked by 1 person

  17. Congratulations Tara. It’s amazing that you’ve accomplished so much in a year. I have friends who run publishing houses now! That thought just struck me! I’m glad I watched you grow over the last two years. You’re a brilliant storyteller and a passionate, talented artist. I hope 2020 brings you much joy!

    Liked by 1 person

  18. Congratulations on what has been a great year, I’m so very proud of you and all you’ve achieved.
    Much love for the years ahead xx

    Liked by 1 person

      • I have a goal to get my art into a shop in town where local artists can rent a shelf and sell their work. I would also like to have a go at a craft fair but…..one step at a time xx

        Liked by 1 person

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