(#4) Rock bottom + deep time + creativity + 8 words that changed my life
Hello! Welcome to issue #4 of The Joy Rise.
This issue includes a recap of Latest News + a personal essay for This Writer’s Life, Dog of the Month, and On My Corkboard, a collection of words that have nourished me.
There’s so much asking for our attention - thanks for sharing your time with my words.
In case you missed it, I shared some big writing news recently that still gives me the emotion sweats:
I’ve signed a multi-book-deal to write three new books!
My new non-fiction book will be published in late 2026!
Two new novels will follow in 2028 and 2030!
But first, my next and newest novel, THE WORLD BENEATH HER FEET, is coming in early 2026! (It’s clearly no time to be an exclamation mark minimalist!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
I don’t know how to be measured about sharing this update. Why, I ask myself, would I want to be? My knees genuinely gave out while Sam was hugging me after the green light email came. I’m keenly aware of what an extraordinary and privileged position this is to be in. And, of course, fear in all its facets is ready to pounce and list all the ways I don’t measure up, or could fail, or this could go wrong. However. Fear isn’t welcome at the wheel in this magnificent moment. In the words of my beloved Pearl Jam: I’ve tasted a life wasted, I’m never going back again. I believe in myself, and my ability to do this work, writing the stories that call to me. Give me the signing pen! I’m extremely grateful to booksellers and readers at home and around the world for their support, and I’m very excited to continue growing my connection with you all through FOUR NEW BOOKS!!!!
Read the full post here:
Rock
The best thing about rock bottom is the rock part. You discover the solid bit of you. The bit that can’t be broken down further. The thing that you might sentimentally call a soul. At our lowest we find the solid ground of our foundation. And we can build ourselves anew.
- MATT HAIG
Matt Haig posted this quote from The Comfort Book on his Instagram recently and when I read it, his words reverberated through the layers of my soul with deep recognition. The rock part of rock bottom.