Welcome!

I’m the author of The Drunken Botanist, Wicked Plants, Girl Waits with Gun, and many other books. I’m also an artist, and I teach both art and writing classes online.

This is a hand-drawn newsletter I make just for you.

It’s pretty much lifted from my sketchbook, so you’ll see a lot of birds and trees and interesting views and whatever I saw on my morning walk.

Sometimes I send out illustrated stories, which could be about haunted brewpubs, the connection between book research and collage, or whatever else I’m curious about.

I often recommend a book, a movie, or a podcast. I answer your questions about writing, books, art, or really anything you’d like to ask.

It’s free and fun and lands in your inbox every week or two.

For paid subscribers, I’m teaching art lessons

If you’d like to chip in a few bucks every month, you’ll get:

My endless gratitude! If you appreciate this free version, this is a great reason to subscribe, even if you’re not ready to dive into….

Art lessons! I’m doing art tutorial videos, live Zooms, “ask me anythings,” reviews of art supplies, giveaways, maybe some IRL meet-ups, and…well, you’ll probably let me know what you’d like, and I’d like to hear about it.

Here’s a free preview of the kind of thing you’ll see if you’re a subscriber.

These art tutorials are for everyone! Beginners welcome! Also, there’s no such thing as talent. Drawing and painting are technical skills. Anyone can learn how. Join us! Try it out for a month and see what you think. I hope to see you there.