New Writing In Keepsake
Keepsake is a new literary zine about journalling and documenting life. I have a small essay published in the first edition.
I’m hesitant to call my attempts at journalling a habit or practice. I’ve tried to keep a journal, or a diary as we used to call it, since childhood. But so many attempts only lasted a few days. So many empty pages in so many notebooks over so many years.
But in recent years my journalling practice has solidified. The pressure comes from three directions. First, as I get older the feeling increases that life is quickly passing. Journalling is a way to document; to hold onto the moment. Second, as part of maintaining mental health, journalling helps slow my mind enough to reflect on experiences. To express gratitude. And put things in context. Finally, as a literary exercise, journalling is a chance to practice writing. To explore my voice. To express feelings, emotions, and observations in a safe way.
I’ve written about journalling a few times recently. Once in a piece simply called Journaling. Another in the personal essay The Bridge Of Resentment.
When Craig Atkinson issued a call on Instagram for submissions to a new zine about journalling, I felt inclined to submit work. Craig is in Tokyo and has been active on the zine scene for several years. He reviews zines from all over the world on Instagram and YouTube, as well as creating his own zines. So I had a feeling the project would flourish.
Keepsake is very much an artisanal independent publication. Craig has collected art and words from nineteen contributors for this first issue. If you’re a fan of raw and honest work, hand lettering, artwork in the marginalia, then this is for you.
My own piece, The Habit, reflects on the role journalling has for me today and how my habit evolved to include elements of my spirituality, academic past, artistic present, and hopes to live well in the future. The artwork is taken from doodles in my past journals. And the whole thing was hand lettered.
If you’d like to order a copy you can contact Craig via Instagram.
The Habit is the fourth essay I’ve had published in the past year. This is part of my continuing project to publish more literary work, beyond what I post on this blog. You can find the other essays at Across The Margin, Writerly, and Wilde Magazine.
