Hi First name / love, Happy June!

 

This year for my birthday, my dad and I installed a Free Little Library in front of my house. (I'm obsessed with it, and you can scroll down for photos.)

 

This project actually started back in January, when we spent many cold Saturdays building the library. My dad is a woodworker and chose a rather involved pattern, so we used the weekends to construct the box, add the custom siding, install windows, and even shingle the roof.

 

We got the library about 80% done, then I stalled out for spring. The weather warmed. Family members passed. I got busy, and the library languished.

 

But a few days before my birthday, we brought it to the finish line, and that weekend we installed it in all its glory! Look how beautifully it matches my house. I even put a little pride flag inside it!

 

 

Since the library's been up, I've checked it almost daily to see which books have been taken, what titles have been dropped off, and how else I might make it more fun for the neighborhood.

 

So far, I've put in bookmarks for my podcast pleasure reading and added flyers advertising the Queer Liberation Library. 

 

The other free libraries in my neighborhood seem to be religiously-oriented or primarily for kids, so mine is unabashedly for the girls, gays, and theys (as we say). And I've already noticed that's exactly who's browsing through it most days. 🏳️‍🌈

 

 

The biggest surprise of putting up the library has been how excited my neighbors are about the books. None of them claim to be readers, but they check in with the stock regularly and ask me about things I include. 

 

A few of them also noticed that I put copies of my own book in the library, and my very sweet neighbor Tobi brought me popcorn and champagne to celebrate being a published author! Almost 5 years after my book came out!

 

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If you've published a book of your own, and you'd like to contribute it to my library, you're welcome to send it to me at P.O. Box 6364 Lincoln, NE 68506. I'd love to share your book with my neighbors.

 

And if you'd be willing to put a few pleasure reading bookmarks in a Free Little Library in your neighborhood, please reply to the email with your address, so I can send them your way! I'm always trying to connect more readers with the show.

 

❊ ❊ ❊

 

And finally, if there's a project that you'd like to make some progress on this summer (maybe even a Free Little Library of your own?!) — I'd love to invite you to my Summer Mondays Coworking Club, where I'll be gathering a group of lovely, creative people for virtual coworking each Monday from 10am - 12pm CT.  We start June 9th and run through August 25th. Here's the link to learn more and sign up. 

 

Thanks for being here and reading this, First name / my friend. I hope I'll get to see you and/or your books this summer. Until next time, take care. ♡

xoxo, Amelia

P.S. My wonderful Assistant Producer, Joi, will be transitioning out of her role at Softer Sounds soon and open for new freelance or part-time opportunities!

If you—or someone in your circle—needs calm, creative support with business systems, copywriting, or graphic design, I recommend her wholeheartedly. 

 

She's brilliant, kind, great at listening, stellar at follow-through, and as a former biz owner herself—she knows how it really works behind the scenes. Reply to this email, so I can introduce you. 💓

 

 

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