Today, I have two fun ways to (possibly) be published in the Jot book.
I will feature some readers' letters and postcards in the book and use the submissions to design one of the signature dust jackets for the Encyclopedia of Inspiration. Submissions might also be posted in an online gallery or in the UPPERCASE newsletter.
1) Write a Letter
Write a letter about why jotting down your thoughts, feelings and ideas on paper is meaningful and important to you.
Your full message should be on one side of the paper only. Write the salutation as "Dear Reader," rather than "Dear Janine" or "Dear UPPERCASE." That way, your message is universal to the folks who will be reading your letter in the book or the online gallery.
Pretend you’re sending a message from the past about what we need to know now (and in the future) about handwriting, correspondence and/or personal connection.
Mail a 4" x 6” postcard to UPPERCASE. Create your own postcard or modify a vintage postcard. Be creative and expressive: Handwriting, lettering, typewriting, calligraphy, doodles, drawings, collage... jot down your thoughts in whatever method best suits you.
Your mailed-in submissions must be received by the end of July. More details and the mailing address are described on the submission form. Please follow the instructions carefully.
This uplifting volume will be about journaling, note-taking, sketching, book-making, handwriting, and other ways of jotting down our thoughts onto paper.
Jot! will include profiles of artists, makers, writers and designers who share their creative process, as well as the people and companies who make the journals, notebooks and writing implements that are part of our daily lives.
This cover mockup uses scanned pages from my notebook, where I listed ideas for this book. I've layered them to represent the brainstorming process—ideas overlapping, intermingling and multiplying. I typed "jot!" on my typewriter, scanned it at high resolution and enlarged it to create the wordmark for the book. It was fun to create an entire cover with my own thoughts handwritten and typed on paper, then brought into the computer.
In a world pushing artificial intelligence, Jot! is a hands-on celebration of originality, inspiration and the beauty of ideas.
Like all previous volumes in the Encyclopedia, the production of this book relies on your pre-orders. I'm also introducing a new option for avid supporters: becoming a Book Patron.
I hope you're excited about this next volume and look forward to adding it to your UPPERCASE library. Thank you so much for your ongoing support of independent publishing!
Finished books planned for December 2026 CA$65 / US$55
This message has been sent to a general list. If you've already pre-ordered Jot, thank you!!! (Please refer to your order receipts from shop@uppercasemagazine.com.)
Want to provide extra support? Become a Book Patron!
Your additional support is appreciated.
Patrons receive the following benefits:
➨ your name and website listed on the book's web page as a patron
➨ an advertisement or profile within the UPPERCASE newsletter, highlighting you as a patron
➨ a selection of UPPERCASE notebooks and paper goodies from the past, mailed now (North America only)
➨ inclusion on the acknowledgement page within the printed book
➨ up to 4 complimentary copies of the book when it is released
I'll send Book Patrons a selection of patterned papers, the last remaining Everyday Notebooks from my archive, a handmade Eclecto notebook from the early days and more paper goodies.
Project Timeline
This is a rough timeline for the project, with the goal of having the books finished by December. (Subject to change, updates will be provided.)
