Creating in service

There is an alchemy that happens when you create in service. For me, it gives me a freedom as well as a responsibility. I may be stretched and asked for things that are a little beyond my comfort zone. I must hit a deadline, create the best experience, use my doubts to fuel energy, research, doing and completion, rather than letting those same doubts spiral down into self-defeating anxiety.

You can tell the difference, the alchemy when you look at this reflective blog post (nice, sure, but I’m burying the lead, I’m guiding you into something rather than bravely just going for it) and the blog post I wrote for Uncanny Magazine that went live today! In that post I get straight to the heart of it.

I am Liz, creator of the Things. Thank you so much to everyone who nominated me for a Hugo, simply making it to the long list was one of the best feelings I’ve had this year.

I am launching a Patreon. Patronage does so much! I would love your support. Thank you for supporting me, and thank you for supporting Uncanny Magazine.

^ Only more eloquent, because I was writing it for them, not me. Here is what I wrote for them

THIS IS A VERY LONG WAY OF SAYING my Patreon is live. Through that website, you can nourish creators like me for as little as $1 a month. I can already feel how it’s motivating me as a creator, I want to book more shows and reach out to my neighbors more. I would love your support. Thank you for reading this and go check it out!

August 22 – Patreon Launch day

On August 22 I will launch my Patreon. I’m so excited about it.

Patreon is a nifty place where folks like us can support creators we like

I’m excited about how it can be a central platform, bringing together stuff I do at Thingswithout.com, lizargall.com and in other places. I’ll do logistical updates here, but Patreon will be a fun place to share cool stuff, creative stuff and create a great space for you to give feedback.

Upcoming dates:

Things greeting cards debut at Locus Awards 

At long last “a sad” greeting cards are for sale. They will debut this Saturday at the Locus Awards signing this weekend at the Best Western Executive Inn at 200 Taylor Avenue North, Seattle WA 98109.

The signing is a short window, but check out who will be there!
Saturday 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Autographing session with books available for purchase thanks to University Book Store. Signers include Liz Argall, Greg Bear, Annie Bellet, Robert Jackson Bennett, Neil Clarke, Daryl Gregory, Eileen Gunn, Randy Henderson, Scott James Magner, Julie McGalliard, Seanan McGuire, Raven Oak, Marco Palmieri, Adam Rakunas, Cat Rambo, Matt Ruff, Nisi Shawl, Patrick Swenson, Jack Skillingstead, Patrick Swenson, Bruce Taylor, Michael Damian Thomas, Carrie Vaughn, Connie Willis, Caroline M. Yoachim, and others TBA.

http://locusmag.com/Magazine/2017LocusAwardsAd.html

Prices at the signing!

Greeting cards $3 each or two for $5

Postcards $1

Calendars free with purchase $10 and above or $5 by itself.

Folks at the Locus Awards will get first bite, but I will post these to folks at this cost plus postage. You would be my first online sales that aren’t POD through a third party so it will be via emailing me what you want and PayPal 

More sketches of kind faces and a drawing give away!

I drew a lot at Wiscon. On the last day, I photographed J, for she was so fabulous and definitely had a leader of the rebellion vibe.

If you sign up to my mailing list in June I will put you in the draw to win a free sketch like this one or the other ones I did at Wiscon (their readings were so lovely).

If you are already on my mailing list, tell me the name of someone who you got to join the mailing list in June and you will get two virtual tickets in the draw! So yes if you sign up this month AND get someone else to sign up you could get three virtual tickets or more!

 

Posted in Uncategorized

Mayara responds to “Monster Girls Don’t Cry” over at Uncanny Magazine

Mayara, the tamarin the size of a tamarind seed, brings you her response to “Monster Girls Don’t Cry” by Merc Rustad over at Uncanny Magazine.

Go check it out!

“Monster Girls Don’t Cry” contained a lot of what I was soul food to me when I was teen, speculative fiction with enough teeth, hope and strength. It reminded me of what Merc has said about her mission and vision when she writes stories (you can read more about that from my interview with her over at Lightspeed for her story “Finding Home”).

Don’t forget to sign up for our e-postcards if you would like to get interesting doodles, sketches and links that only subscribers receive!

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Things 2017 Calendar, fabric, giftwrap or wallpaper!

It’s been a busy time at Things Without headquarters. We are proud to announce that 2017 calendars are now available on Spoonflower. It’s a teatowel! It’s a reminder of just a few of the interesting days throughout the year.

2017 calendar

http://www.spoonflower.com/fabric/4748675

World Braille Day
World Day of Social Justice
Pi Day
World Sparrow Day
International Day of the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
World Poetry Day
International Dance Day
World Laughter Day
World Refugee Day
International Day of Friendship
International Day of the World’s Indigenous People
International Literacy Day
World Teachers Day
World Philosophy Day
Human Rights Day
World Peace Day

Posted in Uncategorized

Things DIY Calendar Teatowels!

It’s been a busy time at Things Without headquarters. We are proud to announce that 2017 calendars are now available on Spoonflower. It’s a teatowel! It’s a reminder of just a few of the interesting days throughout the year.

2017 calendar

http://www.spoonflower.com/fabric/4748675

World Braille Day
World Day of Social Justice
Pi Day
World Sparrow Day
International Day of the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
World Poetry Day
International Dance Day
World Laughter Day
World Refugee Day
International Day of Friendship
International Day of the World’s Indigenous People
International Literacy Day
World Teachers Day
World Philosophy Day
Human Rights Day
World Peace Day