Nan’s Notebook
East Coast USA
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Novel cover reveal
Nan is surprised to find she hasn't mentioned her novel much on her 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. Let's start with the cover reveal for “The Clerk and the Ink Drinker in the Outer Lands Mission” by N. G. Swett. November 2025
“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 nearly a decade. It's coming out now, ready or not.
Let's begin with the cover reveal! That's what authors do, right?! See front and back covers below, followed by a short cover reveal video.
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
How you dune?
How you dune? 10-sec getaway and deep breath brought to you by the Outer Lands Archipelago, the 30,000 Ice Age formation off the East Coast of the USA in the Atlantic Ocean. Dunes and ocean video.
Here's a photo of an ocean dune by the Incredible Mr. C, please enjoy.
Now, turn south and face the ocean.
Take a deep breath!
That gorgeous video was also captured by my husband. I invite you to take a deep breath and a little break from the news and the rest of your life from time to time. Wow, there’s a lot happening these days. Big stuff!
Fun facts
During the Ice Age of 30,000 years ago, the great Labrador Glacier came to a halt here at the ocean, leaving a ridge of moraines that form the Outer Lands Archipelago islands of Long Island, Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, Cape Cod, Block Island, and the many other smaller islands.
These sandy beaches have a lot of quartz — that magical stuff that pulses under pressure (e.g., see quartz watches). Combined with sea mist, it’s a very nice thing. A walk on the shore the cure, body and soul.
Many Atlantic Ocean beaches are accessible in two hours or less from major East Coast cities. Some ocean beaches are within New York City and accessible by bus or subway! (Shout out to Coney Island and the Rockaways!)