This is the introduction thread. Say hi, tell us where you’re from and what your writing is all about! In your introduction, answer these 4 questions: ➡️ What is your name (preferred pronouns as well, if you don't mind) ➡️ Why did you decide to join The Unexpected Shape Café? ➡️ What is your favorite book? ➡️ What are you interested in writing about? We can’t wait to meet you! If you'd like to share anything else as well, feel free! And welcome!

Still Moving is published! This is my memoir of my first 3 years of Long Covid. (Appropriately enough, my proof copy of the paperback arrived when I was dealing with a migraine. I know y'all can understand that detail differently than most folks.) I arranged distribution through Ingram, so you should have options wherever you live. My site has more details + excerpts: https://skyeris.art/still-moving I hope the book illuminates ways to face pain, grief, and illness, that more deeply connect you to love.

Right now, I’m reading and rereading Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail, which is a comfort read for me—a sapphic romance novel. It’s interesting to go outside of my usual genres; I never read romance novels until very recently. At the same time, I’m reading a forthcoming memoir by Morgan Parker. What are you reading, and how are you feeling/thinking about it?

I recently wrote a blog post on my Substack that seemed to really resonate with a lot of people. It’s about what’s often missing from gratitude practices: https://madelleine.substack.com/p/the-missing-ingredient-in-gratitude

What are some of everyone’s favorite writing tools—pens, pencils, programs, things to help focus, etc.? Over the last few years I’ve found myself incredibly fond of .25mm pens because I press so hard on the page (I think it may be a mobility thing), but I also love Evernote. I’m not good at keeping organized, but I find the notes less intimidating than a Word doc.