Nan’s Notebook
East Coast USA
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Where / What is the Outer Lands Archipelago?
The Outer Lands Archipelago along the American east coast is an inspiration for author and painter N.G. Swett. The islands, which include Long Island, Block Island, Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, Cape Cod and many others, share a unique ecology, history and economy. In this blog post you can find a Google map, an excellent library resource, and examples of creative works by N.G. Swett including a poem, short story, videos, and the illustrated novel ‘The Clerk and the Ink Drinker in the Outer Lands Mission’.
The primordial islands that shape the 4seasonshelf Project, including the illustrated novel ‘The Clerk and the Ink Drinker in the Outer Lands Mission’ by N.G. Swett
Credit: Google maps and graphic design by N.G. Swett and 4seasonshelf
The Ice Age islands along the American northeast coast share ecology, history and economies. It’s a rich area creatively as well, a place that seems to speak to those who live there and visit. It inspires the author and painter N.G. Swett, especially the 4seasonshelf Project.
The islands include Long Island, Block Island, Cape Cod, Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard and many more.
Wonderful book on the subject:
The Outer Lands by Dorothy Sterling and illustrated by Winifred Lubell
This richly illustrated and well written book details the natural history of the Outer Lands Archipelago. It can be found in the collections of most libraries in the Archipelago!
More about the Outer Lands Archipelago
How can a place inspire us? Here’s an example, a short rhyming poem by N.G. Swett for the 4seasonshelf Project
Continues >
Even more about the Outer Lands Archipelago
Enjoy a few videotaped moments on an Outer Lands ocean beach HERE.
Take a little bus excursion with Nan to an Outer Lands fishing village HERE.
Read a prize winning short story by N.G. Swett that was an early version of the first chapter of the illustrated novel ‘The Clerk and the Ink Drinker in the Outer Lands Mission’ : HERE.
Last but not least, order the contemporary illustrated novel with an Outer Lands setting:
Please allow 2-4 weeks for delivery.
Written and Illustrated by N.G. Swett
Illustrated Paperback
Copyright 2026 by N.G. Swett
292 pages
First Edition
Highlights of Google search results for the novel
Nan searched on Google for the illustrated paperback novel new release 2026, “The Clerk and the Ink Drinker in the Outer Lands Mission” by author N.G. Swett, and this is what came up on March 6, 2026. Highlights include a Google AI Overview, an Indie Reader review, and the first mention/review in the press.
Early March 2026 Google search shows AI overview first including summary description, purchase links
AI overview, purchase links for multiple platforms including Barnes & Noble, Waterstones and Amazon.
Then the organic listings for the novel began, including this from Indie Reader!
Toward the top of search results for the novel was this local gem from late summer 2025, when the novel had not even launched officially yet!
