Phoenix rising
Welcome to Helen's Word!
Dear fellow writer,
I’m thrilled to announce the launch of Helen’s Word, my new Substack newsletter.
Rising from the ashes of my old Mailchimp list, Helen’s Word is more than just another newsletter. It’s a creative space for thinking, experimenting, and sharing ideas about writing. Here’s what you can look forward to:
Free weekly posts
At the start of every week, I’ll send you a free post with up-to-the-minute news about writing-related courses, events, publications, and special offers.Bonus posts for paid subscribers
Towards the end of each week, I’ll send out an inspirational bonus post for paid subscribers — an essay, experiment, poem, podcast, or creative reflection on writing, illustrated with an original paper collage.A creative community of writers
Paid subscribers can comment on individual posts, chat, upload images, and participate in online discussions. I can’t wait to hear from you!Free access for WriteSPACE members
Join the WriteSPACE for just $15/month or $150/year and receive a complimentary paid subscription to Helen’s Word as part of your membership.
These changes mark the launch of my newly renovated WriteSPACE international writing community. Sign up for a free 30-day trial to find out how the WriteSPACE can help you write more stylishly, productively, creatively, and joyfully — or simply more.
In the WriteSPACE
Weekly Wayfinder for July 17-23
NEW! Every week in the WriteSPACE, WriteSPACE and WS Studio members will find a playful pomodoro timer to help you keep your writing on track, a featured writing resource to expand your horizons, and a writing-related challenge to sharpen your skills.
This week’s timer: Purple Cow
This week’s resource: Our new fabulous new website!
This week’s challenge: Scavenger hunt
On the website
Open Chalet at Mountain Rise (June 22)
If you missed out on this WriteSPACE Special Event last month, you can now watch the video in the WriteSPACE Library or via this link. Take a tour of Chalet Alpenheim, my gorgeous writing retreat venue in the Swiss village of Wengen, and join me for a writing exercise that will lead you on a reflective journey through the surrounding Alpine landscape. Feeling inspired? The dates for next year’s writing retreats are already up on my website, and we’ll start calling for applications in August.
Coming soon
Open Writing Studio (July 26)
Join me for a free 2-hour Open Writing Studio on July 26 and discover the power of the Live Writing Studio, where you can hone your writing skills and meet other writers in a friendly, supportive, craft-focused environment. Whether you’re new to the WriteSPACE community or a loyal member who has been waiting for the Virtual Writing Studio to return, this is your chance to check out our new membership area, the WriteSPACE Studio, and write with me and other writers from around the world. Sign up here to save your spot.
Other writing news
Do you have writing-related news, events, or resources to share? Contact me with a brief description (50 words max), a hyperlink, and a high-quality image.
In April 2023, I was honored to be named a Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand (He Ahurei a Te Apārangi) for my writing studies scholarship. In my inaugural lecture, “Writing with Pleasure,” I reflected on how my background as a literary scholar and poet has influenced my research and publications on the writing styles, habits, and emotions of academic writers from across the disciplines. I am deeply grateful to the Royal Society / Te Apārangi for this honor and to all the colleagues, mentors, and friends who have supported me along the way. You can watch the 15-minute video here.
Spread the joy! Please forward this email to your friends, colleagues, and students, and encourage them to join us in the WriteSPACE, a vibrant, low-cost writing community with members in 30+ countries. Your USD $15/month or $150/year contribution helps me bring creative, colorful writing resources to academic, professional, and creative writers around the world.
Kia pai tō koutou rā (have a great day) – and keep on writing!
Helen