Written by

Katherina

Welcome back returning readers and new readers of this newsletter as we continue entering the year of the snake, which I’ve read is associated with transformation, renewal and spiritual growth! There are many book updates since the last time we sent out this newsletter before the winter holiday in the northern hemisphere. Since then, Mika has landed in India and is on retreat at a Vipassana centre, soon to be visiting the eco-village Auroville for the next month and a week or so after her retreat.

As it says in the title, the first piece of news is that we’ve received the first set of options for the cover. The person designing them, Carolyn Raider, also behind the thumbnail of the podcast conversation on Upstream podcast, very generously gave us 5 more options than the initially agreed upon 2. We’re working together on our first round of feedback and integration. I am really itching to share the cover options on here (I find them absolutely stunning) and to ask for people’s input but think it would be better to share the options of the final round of choosing after we’ve integrated feedback and it has gone through both Mika and I, Shiomi-san and the people reviewing. What I’ve discovered is that linking the cover to the contents of a book is not so simple a task and could benefit from more information about the book than just the book title, a short synopsis and the book’s mission.

Secondly, as we approach the date by which I asked 6 people who agreed to lightly edit and review different sections of the book, 5 of them have confirmed so far! And we have quite the people reading over this. A female carpentry apprentice in Okayama, a young woman going into TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) about to embark on a several monthlong journey to learn tai chi in China, a clothing and textile designer in the process of setting up a place to host various events around food, fiber, craft, film, etc with creativity and regenerative practices at the center, a teacher and last but certainly not least a Dr of environmental sciences on Japanese and Swiss permaculture movements. In telling someone about the people that had agreed to lightly edit parts of the draft, they stopped me and exclaimed, “Where do you find these people?!”. And, you know, I wonder that myself at times – where do I find these people?! I could give literal answers of course but I think they meant in the grander scheme of life. I am immensely grateful for who they are as people and for their support in this project.

Are you interested in what the cover options look like and more about the people behind the reviewing? Have any other questions? Please comment below! We find comments energizing and love receiving genuine interest in this work. That’s all for now.

Katherina