After Ciasdish issue one came out, the response was enthusiastic enough that I started created issue two the day after it came out. And I knew that issue two of Ciadish had to be bigger to fit in everything I was hearing about. Quite a bit bigger...
There are so many great books being written by chronically ill and disabled writers. There are too few people writing about them. So I want to make sure Ciadish writes about as many books as possible - new and old as health issues can mean publicity week doesn't go quite as planned (I was on a drip and largely unconscious the week that one of my books came out, which isn't great for doing launch interviews and blog tours).
Some books are seasonal. And issue two is bulging at the seams with 42 pages of reviews, interviews, writing competitions, self care supports, writing opportunities and ideas, and more besides. So I decided to create issue 1.5 of Ciadish - it seemed a suitably 'cripped' a thing to do - in the form of this mini mag to say happy whatever you celebrate at this time of year (and happy doing nothing at all too/sorry if it's a hard time of year for you.)
For me, it's a time of feasting and crafting, solar powered fairy lights, home made decorations using lots of natural foliage and berries, contemplation, time on the phone with family and friends, and lots of resting with hot water bottles, as it's a painful time of year - if one that means I get to listen to lots of audiobooks.
Health allowing, I join in with #JoinIn on Twitter (created by Sarah Millican) on Christmas Day to chat to people who are having a tough time. It helped me hugely when I was having A Very Bad Year and seems right to give back - plus it's a lovely community and is fun.
There's also #12DaysWild - A Wildlife Trusts campaign encouraging people to connecti with nature every day for 12 days. I find it's a fun and uplifting way to spend time, and can be done even when I'm housebound by looking at clouds through the window, taking a photo of a moth, or looking after my pet lichen (a huge amount more information on my pet lichen available on request)
Whatever you're doing over the festive season, there's a reasonable chance it will involve reading, writing, or both, If you're using this time as a chance to write, you may want to enter writing competitions, so I've included a sneak preview of the competitions section of issue 2 of Ciadish in this magazine. There's also a tiny preview of Ciadish's interview with Robin Ince - and it's only a very small snippet of the full, fantastic thought storm that emerged.
Ciadish Issue 2 is out on 1st January and also features Alice Wong, Sami Schalk, Leah Laksmi Piepzna-Samarasinha , Richard O' Neill, Penny Batchelor and many more authors besides. And it's free.
Read Ciadish and share it, please. Together, a few tiny ripples can turn into mighty waves of change. Have a joyful time, full of hope for the future, and please give yourself as much time for rest and play as you can, with no guilt.
Happy festive season.
Emily
Editor's Letter