Dear Outer Lands Librarian

From an Outer Lands author with a book for your collection:

‘The Clerk and the Ink Drinker in the Outer Lands Mission’ an illustrated novel

A special shoutout to the librarian in the Outer Lands Archipelago — Long Island, Block Island, Cape Cod, Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, Manhattan, and more.”

An Adventure Begins, Heroes Wanted

Set in the Outer Lands Archipelago, the contemporary modernist illustrated novel is perfect for adult Outer Lands readers of literature and art lovers, who will recognize the beautiful four season setting and island life. About progress, justice, camaraderie and the healing power of storytelling, the book is very much created by and for these extraordinary times.

‍ ‍IndieReader calls the illustrated novel “a cataclysmic adventure.”

The novel’s plot is character-driven, neatly woven together, and multi-layered.

The adventure begins as the world is on the verge of falling apart. The Clerk narrowly escapes the city through the relocation services of the Org and is assigned a reconnaissance mission to its Outer Lands territory. The reader is recruited as the “Ink Drinker” to go along.

Flying to the Outer Lands territory, the duo is forced to make a crash sea landing. They ride a 50-year wave ashore to a terribly beautiful island. Not only must they deliver and pick up dispatches, now they must follow signs to a bridge. From the beach, they enter into a small coastal farming town. As if under an enchantment or spell, they embed with neighbors along a country road and go through a cascade of events and challenges in order to complete the mission.

“This is as much a call to action as it is a story,” said author N.G. Swett. “The world being what it is, a direct connection between writers and readers is essential. The novel came together over the last decade as all hell broke loose in publishing and new alternatives appeared. I specifically added design features in my novel to help readers take a chance on a new book in indie publishing. It’s an adventure, and I want the reader to get in. The language is easy, the plot moves, the type is large, and I even painted illustrations. I made the decision to only publish it in print for the sake of a quality reading experience and the sense of reality and personal connection we get from carrying and holding a book. But the biggest thing is that I added the reader to the title and story itself as the ‘Ink Drinker.’ Together we complete the mission.”

Readers who finish “The Clerk and the Ink Drinker in the Outer Lands Mission” join a growing league of heroes who got the assignment and completed the mission.

A list of 20+ book discussion questions is available for groups and book clubs.

N.G. Swett is a New York multimedia communications pro with extensive experience in all facets of the industry including environmental and financial communications in New York City; regional multimedia marketing and public relations for private clients; and news and feature writing for the New York Times, the East End Independent, and Dan’s Papers. Swett’s advocacy has helped families, local small businesses and professionals, downtown revitalization, and shelter pets. Ten years ago, at 50, Swett started new creative projects including the novel, painting and poetry while learning the ropes of ecommerce and self publishing.

Swett lives on Long Island with her husband, two grown children, and a large dog. She studied political science at SUNY Binghamton and attended Stuyvesant High School in New York City.

Available Globally Through Ingram Spark

The new release 2026 illustrated paperback novel, “The Clerk and the Ink Drinker in the Outer Lands Mission,” is available internationally through Ingram Spark.

The novel is published as part of Swett’s 4seasonshelf Project and is represented by Great Peconic Communications, the author’s own media company (est 1995).

Currently, signed and stamped first edition paperbacks are available at the 4seasonshelf.com online shop (USA orders only). There are no plans for an ebook or hard cover.

Where / What is the Outer Lands Archipelago?

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:

SIGNED & STAMPED PAPERBACK: The Clerk and the Ink Drinker in the Outer Lands Mission ~ An Illustrated Novel by N.G. Swett

$25.00

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

ORDER

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