Putting the last sunflowers in a vase , hearing the raindrops fall in the morning, watching the hare rolling in from the sea: September is and always has been my favourite month. The official start of hot chocolate season, though of course, if you know me, that is all year around for me. Anyway this month is also really special for me, as I am deep in the midst of a crowdfunding campaign, more on that below. But first and foremost, here are five things that are very demure, very mindful, very cutesie this month:
Watch ‘La Chimera’ for free at Summerhall with The Skinny & Mubi on Tuesday, September 3. If you’re like me and missed this beautiful film by Alice Rohrwacher earlier this year and also if you have a slight crush on Josh O’Connor since “that tennis movie” came out, I highly recommend it.
And because September is the perfect month to spend inside, another cinematic recommendation to go to the Shortscape Film Festival, that is taking place from the 5th - 7th September at the Leith Arches. They only feature Scottish short films to provide an alternative platform to showcase the works of creatives based in Scotland, and to encourage inclusivity, cooperation and development of new ideas in the field of media production.
Whilst we’re in the mood of supporting new and upcoming artists, how about going to The Stands Monday’s Open Mic and perhaps see some great comedians at the beginning of their career?
As the sun is setting earlier every day now, why not embrace it fully and venture to the Voodoo Rooms and visit this month’s Midnight Lunar Market on the 22nd of September. The alternative night market for all alternative, gothic, witchy, quirky, weird and wonderful small businesses + people.
Or do a good deed this month and volunteer with the Water of Leith Conservation Trust. I spent last Sunday picking up litter around Coalie Park for a few hours, met some new people and had a good chat with the friend who brought me along. The Water of Leith Conservation Trust has different opportunities to get involved, from litter picking to river patrols, find more information on how to volunteer here.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:
As you may or may not know, next to writing The Edinburgh Muse every month, I do actually write books. And currently I am crowdfunding to print the final book of my poetic memoir trilogy.
Within the first 24 hours we’ve already reached over 30% of the funding goal, which is really incredible (I cried in LIDL when I saw it.) Anyway, if you think that this could be something you would want to read as well and if you have the spare cash to support a local writer, see all the info below.
Thanks so much x
The Final Book of the Poetic Memoir Trilogy
A homage to change, why we don‘t want to and how life will make you.
About the book
Things I Have Changed – That Are Different Now
When I started writing about my own life, searching for myself ("Things I Have Noticed," 2020) and for my self-worth ("Things I Have Loved," 2023), this book dedicated to self-narration ("Things I Have Changed") had actually already begun long before. It is a collage of all the blind spots and omissions, the things I couldn't or wouldn't see over the years. It is about the things I don't want to write about: my mother, money, control, obsessive thoughts, fear. – But must.
I started this book in the belief that I could write about change, that I could excavate what constitutes transformation, to understand “the process” and figure out how to trust it along the way. Yet I am finding myself in a constant shift of what feels like performing open heart surgery on myself, trying to explain, whilst understanding, whilst doing. Amidst the constant blind spots sprouting every time I choose a perspective, I lose another. There’s always something. In many ways this book snuck its way onto the page, as if remembering a faint dream in the morning, barely feeling its presence. And then later through the day suddenly rushing in, with all its vividness into the forefront of my mind. It was all there – all real.
So I guess in the end this book is not exactly about change but about being alive in one body, one existence, moving forward.
– No wonder I am struggling.
What is the Kickstarter for?
£5000 is the minimum budget that will ensure a first round of printing high-qualitiy softcover books, hiring a professional editor to finalise the book and creating a marketing campaign to get the word out.
There’s a line I often think of by the German poet Hilde Domin that translated goes something like this:
I put my foot in the air. And it carried me.
(Ich setzte den Fuss in die Luft. Und sie trug.)
Four years ago I started writing a book that literally changed my life: Things I Have Noticed – Essays on leaving/searching/finding. It started with an idea to create a zine, that quickly turned into a full collection and Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign to publish it. Since then I sold thousand of copies, found homes in indie bookshops, was invited to readings, wrote and published the second book Things I Have Loved – A collection (sort of) – but most of all I understood that you don’t need a publisher or an agent to reach people with your writing.
That it’s a special honour to create a book from start to finish, to design the cover, to illustrate it, to be in charge of how it is presented and find its own niche. To create something that feels like a Gesamtkunstwerk – an object that is conceptually, visually, inherently in the way that it is made: art in itself.
That it’s not just about the process of writing a book but also the way it comes into the world: supported by people who believe in my vision, who trust that I can do it all on my own.
Now, the circle is coming to a close.
What is a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign?
I believe a Kickstarter is a way to proof an idea. It’s a way for people to support independent artists. To create work that is different, new and exciting.
But mostly it is 6 weeks of me, pressing the refresh button every ten minutes and hoping that I make the targeted budget, because if not: no money will be transferred. Kickstarter has an all-or-nothing approach, you only get the money if you reach your goal. If you do not reach the goal within the set time frame, all backers get their money back and the project will not happen.
So, I love your writing and I want to support you, what can I do?
Make a pledge as soon as possible. The more people pledge in the beginning the higher the chances are that we will actually reach the target.
Tell your friends about the Kickstarter and/or make a post on social media and show other people that you've made a pledge to encourage them.
The Promise
"Things I Have Changed" will be the third and final book of the poetic memoir trilogy I started in 2020. The collection is nearly finished but will need to go through a round of editing. Just like the first two books it will be illustrated with my own visual artwork. The artwork for the book is currently in the idea stage.
As a backer you will witness the creative process up close and I will give frequent updates on how it's going.
Approx. publishing date: Spring 2025
Approx. pages: 200
Paperback: softcover
SHIPPING Please note: We will be shipping all rewards national and internationally, with duty and tax prepaid. So you don't have to worry about customs at all.
I hope you got something out of this month’s list.
And if you did, why not click on the heart to let others know or forward this to a friend?
Also: there’s always the option to return the favour and treat me to a hot chocolate or become a paid subscriber and support this project. It is greatly appreciated!
x
You’re a local business owner, creator, artist, event manager and want to be featured in the next Edinburgh Muse Edition?
Drop a line to: theedinburghmuse@substack.com