Back of Book Scripts - Happy New New!

A list of scripts of the inspiring sort.

January 03, 2025

Happy New Year Friends!

Today (in a separate post) I’ll be sharing an essay I’ve worked on over the last couple of months, and I’d love to hear how it lands with you. Comment below, share with friends, do the things tho! I’ve found that I like the slower approach to writing, though not so much that it prevents me from writing altogether. There’s something about giving myself a little space and time from writing that allows me to stay grounded in other life responsibilities in a supportive way.

I was thinking that other day when I was preparing dinner and I had a good friend and her family over but I was a little bit unsure as to how we were going to get everything on the table that day. But during an afternoon conversation with her I decided to get up and make the greens and we were talking, and we were talking and then I decided to say maybe I can get the chicken done at the same time and before I knew both the chicken and the greens were done. My friend made the macaroni and cheese and I think all that was left was the arroz con gandules. I felt energized, even though everything happened in such an unhurried, but deliberate, way. We got it all done without the usual stress.

I’ve been wondering how to bring that sense of slowness, meditativeness, and bodily presence into my writing. At the same time I am reminding myself that I don't need to be all juiced up to write, writing can take place on a regular day, on a regular morning when nothing, from what I can tell, has happened. Writing can take place always, excitement or not.

As we step into January, I’m excited about a few new developments and opportunities, one of which is a fellowship I recently received. I truly hope you can join us for the Soak Circles this year. We’ll have some spaces available for virtual participation, but in-person attendance will be prioritized.

With best wishes,

N

In-Person Soak Circles

Limited spots for attendees participating virtually

Soak Circle – Sunday, Feb. 9

  • Please register here for our first official soak circle of the year taking place on Sunday the 9th of February. This circle is a special one for children and for Black History Month!

  • We will also gather again on the 9th of March.

We’ve received a fellowship

To share more soon, I recently learned that our work with the soak circles, families, parents & children has earned us a fellowship where we will be able to expand and demonstrate the strengthening power of fellowship and community. Will share more on this soon.

Their most recent exhibition, Making Home, is one of the first collaborations between the Design musuem and the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Creative, interactive and detailed, the work is worth a visit! There’s also a section of the exhibition on birthing and maternal mortality in Alabama.

This Week:

Sowing Good Vibes by Torkwase-Khem Love

Known as T.K. to friends and family, Torkwase-Khem is an artist who contains multitudes. She finds grounding in growing herbs and sewing functional items for the home and kitchen. Today, she offers the Back of Book Scripts community handcrafted bowl cozies (pictured below) and colorful aprons.

These make thoughtful gifts for you and your loved ones. Join us in supporting this talented artist, doula, teacher, and craftswoman. Deliveries will ship from New York. For purchases or pickups, simply reply to this email at [email protected]!

Pricing:

Aprons | $40 - $50

Cozies | $10

Why, Back of Book? or…BOBs 😏

The name "Back of Book Scripts" holds personal significance. It's a combination of my college professor's advice to put useful information in one’s “back-pocket,” as well as my mother's (and now my own) habit of jotting down numbers, notes and all the things on the backs of envelopes, books, etc. These scribbles of import, or SOI for short, contain so many ranges of helpful notes and things to remember.

These scripts are a chronicle of community & relationship, and how we show up in the world. They touch on various topics, experiences, day-to-day and literary notes.

This is a list of scripts of the inspiring sort.