Happy Friday!
This newsletter is all about making art as resistance, providing inspiration, ideas, and more.
In this issue: a hidden gem, what comes after, and resistance links.
Casa Susanna: A hidden history
I find many stories of artistic resistance from the past that don't make it into the main Art of Resistance Podcast. But they're powerful, and should be known.
That's the case with Casa Susanna:
Here is the story of a private resort in the 1950s and 1960s located in Hunter, New York, in the Catskill Mountains. Casa Susanna was a safe haven for cross-dressers and transgender women during a time when societal acceptance and understanding of gender identity were extremely limited.
Read the full story on a lesser-known treasure of trans history:
What comes after
I'm writing a column over at Hushmarrow Press about the aftermath of success. I decided to get honest about what happened after I published books, especially my memoir, because it was pretty bad. And we do a disservice to creative people when we only tell one story.
Isn’t that what writing advice tells us? There’s a before publication, and an after. That after is portrayed as heaven, a just reward for a writing life following the rules. But the launch days came and went. And I felt…empty. And my memoir? It became the worst thing I’d ever done.
If you've ever wondered why achieving goals doesn't feel the way it should, you might like it : )
Linkapalooza
I'm reading: I went straight fantasy in The Unwilling. It's dark and gripping.
I'm watching: The original Superman (1978). If you haven't seen it in a bit, it's well worth a rewatch. Before the constant remakes, it was the dreamy Christopher Reeves, and it was awesome. And I watched it and Superman II (1980) over and over on VHS as a kid. Here's some of best villains (and costumes), General Zod and Ursa.
I'm listening to: A mixtape of hidden gems.
I'm sharing:
- Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine) on "rebellion as self care," and the power of music and art as resistance right now.
- We are not immune to propaganda
- Women collaborators is not a new phenomenon
- Your zodiac as a weird website
- Protests this year and this week. Note: As an autistic person, I find in-person protests too difficult. That's part of the reason I created this podcast and newsletter, to use our creative skills as resistance. So if you can't do in-person rallies protests, don't feel guilty or ashamed; protest in the way you can!
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🎙️LISTEN TO THE PODCAST: Get empowered with the Art of Resistance Podcast
🦄 EXPLORE THE RESISTANCE LIBRARY: Guides, resources, and recommended reading
📕Read books by Amy in free installments
See you next week!
P.S. If you're on an algorithm like mine, you've probably seen that Brandi Carlile has been covering Alanis Morrisette's classic "Uninvited." And then, a special appearance we needed for a master class of feminine rock and rage.
