Nan’s Notebook
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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!
New release novel: cover reveal, unboxing and book signing
Nan is surprised to find she hasn't mentioned her novel much on the blog, though she's been working on it almost a decade. Ready or not, it's coming out soon, and we need to get caught up here. See the video playlist on YouTube featuring the cover reveal, book unboxing and book signing author rituals for “The Clerk and the Ink Drinker in the Outer Lands Mission” by N. G. Swett.
Three author rituals —DONE! — for “The Clerk and the Ink Drinker in the Outer Lands Mission” by N.G. Swett
It surprises me to find that I haven't said much here on this blog about my biggest, longest running project: my novel! I've been working quietly on it for a decade. It's coming out now, ready or not.
You know and I know what authors do when there’s a new book to launch. There are three main rituals:
the cover reveal
the unboxing
the book signing
I performed these virtually and posted the videos (see below).
Thank you to friends and family who helped with the cover design, it made a HUGE difference.
Poetry of Love?
Nan writes about publishing a book of love poems, from original inception to international distribution through print on demand platforms. Topics include why write a book of poems, how to create it, publishing platforms, costs, ISBNs, universal book links, Canva, Amazon, Ingram Spark, Draft2Digital, Books2Read, social media, and book promotion.
TikTok video of Stolen Moment, one of the first poems
in the poetry collection Hold Me Tight.
Why A Poem?
At our wedding, our best man advised us to follow the KISS principle: keep it simple stupid — the shortest speech in the history of weddings. Now that we’ve had a lot of time to think about it, that was darn good advice for a twenty-something guy to give.
And now, what could be simpler than a poem?
And did you know, poetry is alive and well? So I thought I’d give it the old college girl try.
Immediately yes! I loved it. I’m a pen and paper note taker, a list writer, a scrapper, a note hoarder.
Labor of Love
This little poetry collection took six months to write and publish. It’s been a labor of love! The main investment was my time and focus.
Cover reveal
So here is the final cover:
Going Wide, Going Global
The book is available in the United States and around the world.
Final Thoughts for Today
I’ve learned so much, and there’s still a lot to learn.
Writing a love poem can lead to the permanent existence of a book of love poems for posterity, what’s left of it.
~ Nan
Library Haul
Today's Library Haul
Happening by Annie Ernaux
The Climate Book by Greta Thunberg