Demonstratively Extending Relativity
Eminent progression
Hi Friends:
Because writer’s block isn’t a highly sought-after form of personal growth, this issue includes:
A sip…
When things appear serialized, the muse will suggest a second Honeymoon…
Are the summer breezes making you feel fine, paid Subscribers? Hope your 3-day weekend was relaxing!
A shout out…
In numerology, two is all about balance, recognizing growth, and appreciating the interconnectedness of things. It also represents sophistication, long-lasting endurance despite fragility, and hidden weaknesses. Represented by red, this number signifies enhancement, elegance, and a perfected life force.
Interestingly, red is the first color that humans recognize. It is also the first color that humans learn to produce and break down into various shades. Additionally, red is believed to evoke strong interest and enthusiasm and to convey confidence in one's abilities and qualities.
It is a given that abstract reasoning isn’t proof of concept; however, 1,600+ organic subscribers continue to provide sufficient validity that A Sip, A Shout Out & A Sentence was never a wishful illusion.
And because experience continues to dictate that, however hard… walking my way in search of reality isn’t the same as piddling time, this is an extra special THANKS for this 2nd anniversary.
Let’s celebrate with:
The postings that required the most extensive research to date:
-and-
The postings with the most significant engagement to date:
-and-
The postings with more restacks than anticipated:
-and-
The postings with more engagement than anticipated:
-and-
Committed, Unapologetic and Unrepentant
Without giving a damn about the adage and speaking impolitely… are you aware that abstract painter, author, teacher, and voice actor, William S. Burroughs, is considered the third most famous drug addict in literary history?
The posting that extended collaboration beyond writing:
A sentence…
Prompts to inspire personal purpose:
"I am stronger than I am broken." -Roxane Gay, Hunger
"When I discover who I am, I’ll be free." -Ralph Ellison, Invisible Man
"Courage does not always roar." -Tomi Adeyemi, Children of Blood and Bone
"No woman has to be respectable to be valuable." -Mikki Kendall, Hood Feminism
"When the world tells you to shrink, expand." -Elaine Welteroth, More Than Enough
"I knew my life would be a fight, and I realized this: I had it in me." -Viola Davis, Finding Me
Question yourself, yes, but don't doubt yourself. There is a difference." -Charmaine Wilkerson, Black Cake
"To soar toward what's possible, you must leave behind what's comfortable." -Cicely Tyson, Just as I Am
"There's nothing easy about finding your way through a world loaded with obstacles that others can't or don't see." -Michelle Obama, The Light We Carry
"Don't sell yourself short. You will meet people along the way who will be lining up to place limits on you. You don't need to beat them to the punch." -Leslie Odom Jr., Failing Up
"You are growing into consciousness, and my wish for you is that you feel no need to constrict yourself to make other people comfortable.” -Ta-Nehisi Coates, Between the World and Me
"I prefer to be true to myself, even at the hazard of incurring the ridicule of others, rather than to be false, and incur my own abhorrence." -Frederick Douglass, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
“The caged bird sings with a fearful trill, of things unknown, but longed for still, and his tune is heard on the distant hill, for the caged bird sings of freedom.” -Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
A book list…
A few titles to inspire the pursuit of personal growth and development:
Pretty, by KB Brookins
Sula, by Toni Morrison
Their Eyes Were Watching God, by Zora Neale Hurston
We Should All Be Feminists, by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
And Then We Rise: A Guide to Loving and Taking Care of Self, by Common
After the Rain: Gentle Reminders for Healing, Courage, and Self-Love, by Alexandra Elle
Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In the Sun and Be Your Own Person, by Shonda Rhimes
The Book of Juju: Africana Spirituality for Healing, Liberation, and Self-Discovery, by Juju Bae
One Day My Soul Just Opened Up: 40 Days and 40 Nights Toward Spiritual Strength and Personal Growth, by Iyanla Vanzant
A literary listicle…
It's summer, and because it is, find creative inspiration in:
Asakusa, JP at Gallery éf;
Seattle, WA at Henry Art Gallery;
Selma, AL at Old Depot Museum;
Accra, GH at Artist Alliance Gallery;
Memphis, TN at Stax Museum of American Soul;
Liverpool, UK at The International Slave Museum; or
Buffalo, NY at The Historic Colored Musicians Club and Jazz Museum.
A few useful tips…
On developing/maintaining creative audacity:
Make time;
If it feels realistic and meaningful, do it;
Artistic exploration includes following your advice;
Know that surprises and shifts will shape your progress;
When progress is being hindered, take and maintain control;
It’s reciprocal -if you spit poison, venom will eventually blow back;
Know that the creative who didn’t follow through did you a huge favor;
Stay close to the voice in your head, the one telling you that you’ve got this;
If it’s collaborative, it is required that you do not accept if you are unwilling to give;
Know that clutter includes family, foes, or friends who do not align with your endeavors;
Always listen to and heed intuition, and make a clean exit before the haters suck the oxygen out of the room;
Know that the universe is giving you opportunities to dismantle the personal, societal, and emotional lies you’ve told and been told; and
Limit company and competition to those who recognize that there is space for everyone to define and exceed their respective successes.
A few contests…
Black Voices in Children’s Literature Writing Contest
Books Like Us First Novel Contest
Creative Writing Ink Short Story Competition
Driftwood Press Adrift Chapbook Contest
Not Quite Write Prize for Flash Fiction
Omnidawn 2025 Poetry Open Book Contest
Helen Schaible International Sonnet Contest
The Stony Brook Short Fiction Prize
A few creative resets…
July 8th
July 9th
July 13th
Return to Self: Reset, Forgive, Rewire
Ongoing
A few fee-based accountability/retreat/workshop opportunities…
Asynchronous
July 16th
Single Sessions
July 26th
August 2nd
Editing and Publishing (£30)
Series
July 12th – August 2nd
July 22nd – September 9th
August 3rd – October 19th
Lowle Poetry Workshop (£250)
A few fellowship/grant/scholarship opportunities…
Nevada Project Grants for Artists (Cycle B)
Sarasvati Residency Farm Stay Scholarship
A few retreats & residencies…
Grand Canyon Artist-in-Residence
A few freelance opportunities…
The Atavist seeks historical or current stories about crime or science, adventure or romance, and which are rooted in investigative reporting or first-person experiences.
Clarify Digital Marketing is seeking a freelance content writer who doesn't use AI.
Digital Frontier is seeking pitches from freelance tech journalists who were recently laid off from TechCrunch or Business Insider.
Flow Space seeks pitches for science-backed articles, personal stories, and expert interviews on topics such as menopause, chronic illness, and wellbeing from writers who are familiar with the space and can write knowledgeably and sensitively.
GamesRadar+ is open to freelance pitches.
Great Lakes Now seeks pitches that cover the science, ecology, history, culture, economy, and industry of the Great Lakes region.
Mountains Magazine seeks pitches from writers with direct experience of snow sports in Japan.
Negation Magazine seeks pitches on challenging and developing communist thought in the service of societal transformation.
Remezcla seeks to assign a music listicle to a Puerto Rican writer *en la isla* who is knowledgeable about the music scene.
SAD Mag is currently accepting pitches and submissions on the theme of ‘taste’.
The Sojourner seeks pitches for reported pieces, analysis, and commentary that address social justice issues or appeal to a well-informed faith audience.
Stop Caring seeks pitches about video games that focus on the ways they evoke unique cultural conversations, as well as the personal lessons learned from video game artistic media.
Studio Magazine is accepting pitches in English and French for editorial articles, portfolio spreads, interviews, and review essays of craft exhibitions/archives/movements, on the theme of ‘resonance’.
A few submission opportunities…
Brink seeks fiction, nonfiction, poetry, hybrid works, translations, as well as video essays and cinepoetry on the theme of ‘obsession.’
Diabolical Plots seeks science fiction, fantasy, and horror submissions.
Fairy Tale Review seeks fairy tale-informed work including prose fiction, verse fiction, nonfiction, creative scholarship, and poetry.
Flash Fiction Online seeks unthemed literary and speculative flash fiction.
If There’s Anyone Left seeks science fiction and speculative fiction from marginalized writers only, including people of color, the LGBTQ2S+ community, members of marginalized genders, and disabled and neurodiverse people.
Mysterion seeks science fiction, fantasy, and horror stories that engage meaningfully with Christian themes, characters, or cosmology.
SQUID seeks fiction, nonfiction, poetry, artwork, and more from emerging creatives.
A few sessions & workshops…
July 8th
July 9th
Poetic Edge: Let's Get Prompted
Sapphic Writes! Poetry and Prose Workshop
July 10th
July 11th
July 12th
Intro to Free Flow Journal Writing
Shaded Writers x Hackney Libraries Online Writing Group for QTIBiPoC
ShanaiSpace Creative Workshop Series
Writing Sprint: Co-working Session for Writers: Your First Chapter
August 4th
Ongoing
Chinese Character Writing Workshop 中文寫寫樂
Creative Journeys - Space to Create
Shut Up & Write – Friday Happy Hour Edition
A few virtual artist/author/creative events…
July 8th
July 10th
BookWoman 2nd Thursday Poetry: Julie Choffel and Lisa L. Moore
July 12th
A few virtual book/script clubs and discussions…
The Blueprint Summer Book Club
Disability Dialogues Book Club
The Good Life Monthly Book Club
Mystery Book Club: Every Time I Go On Vacation, Someone Dies
Page Turners Monthly Book Club
Spiritual Soul Sister Book Club
TCBHGS Between The Lines Virtual Bookclub
Virtual Graphic Novel Book Club
And a final thought…
Hi there,
It is alleged that a haircut brings about radical change…
Well, I’ve gotten a haircut, and I could be wrong, but concerning this Substack, I am inclined to believe that satisfied customers do not complain. However, please know that I am open to and welcome all suggestions -DM me if you have any.
As usual, this posting is filled with embedded affiliate links. If you are inclined to purchase a book, I will earn a very small commission, and I will be most appreciative!
Take it easy, and stay cool,
Happy Anniversary 🎉
“Question yourself, yes, but don't doubt yourself. There is a difference." -Charmaine Wilkerson, Black Cake”
This quote is lovely. Some time ago, someone told me I wasn’t confident in my writing. I heard the comment but didn’t believe it. Being open to messages the spirit may deliver through others does not mean I am uncertain about my words.
🎉🎂🍰👍🏾 And keep on writing 😁