I love the idea of books as “radical technology.” That phrase stayed with me. Reading does feel quietly rebellious in a world that is constantly trying to fragment our attention. To sit with a book is to slow down, to think, to enter another consciousness for a while. That alone can feel like a small act of resistance.
At the same time, what I appreciate most about spaces like book fairs, libraries, and even Substack is the sense of literary community you describe. That feeling of wandering into conversations, unexpected connections, and shared obsession with words. It reminds me that books are not only solitary experiences. They are communal ones too.
I also smiled at the description of the “uniform” of the literary world. The glasses, boots, slightly rumpled energy of people who are clearly here because they cannot help themselves. That line about doing this work because it is what you would be doing anyway really rang true. For many of us, reading and writing are not hobbies so much as ways of being in the world.
And I agree with you about libraries. If books are radical technology, libraries are the infrastructure that keeps that technology democratic. They are one of the few places left where access to ideas is not determined by wealth or status.
Reading may feel quiet, but its impact travels far. Every reader carries a book’s ideas into the world in ways we cannot fully predict. That is its real power.
Loved the Substack event sooo much (I was sitting behind you, asked a question about self-publishing). As I've already messaged to Mark below, it was so lovely to hear people talking as evangelically about Substack as I feel. After over 40 years as a journalist I feel like Black Beauty when he was finally able to run around in a lovely field without a harness on.
Love this inside peek at the vibe, the scene, the characters, and the tenacity of writers and readers. The ancient (radical) technology of words and stories endures — and nowhere better than here on Substack.
Wooh, that's 'some' fair and its all only about books!
Isn't it unreal to think that human's innate desire to communicate and scrawl symbols on cave walls and stone, then papyrus, then paper, led to all this and so much more. And.......to think about the zillions of books that were involved in getting to those 2 days. Not specifically those being shown those days but those books who taught the steelmakers, the engineers, the architects, who built Olympia, the print machine makers, the printers, teachers, the computer builders and not to mention all the other books along the eons that now allow the likes of you and me to make a book! Surreal. And I love that. I so miss libraries too! Thank you for sharing your time there. I feel people overwhelm just reading it. 😬
Amen
🙌
Oh, I wish I were there!
I love the idea of books as “radical technology.” That phrase stayed with me. Reading does feel quietly rebellious in a world that is constantly trying to fragment our attention. To sit with a book is to slow down, to think, to enter another consciousness for a while. That alone can feel like a small act of resistance.
At the same time, what I appreciate most about spaces like book fairs, libraries, and even Substack is the sense of literary community you describe. That feeling of wandering into conversations, unexpected connections, and shared obsession with words. It reminds me that books are not only solitary experiences. They are communal ones too.
I also smiled at the description of the “uniform” of the literary world. The glasses, boots, slightly rumpled energy of people who are clearly here because they cannot help themselves. That line about doing this work because it is what you would be doing anyway really rang true. For many of us, reading and writing are not hobbies so much as ways of being in the world.
And I agree with you about libraries. If books are radical technology, libraries are the infrastructure that keeps that technology democratic. They are one of the few places left where access to ideas is not determined by wealth or status.
Reading may feel quiet, but its impact travels far. Every reader carries a book’s ideas into the world in ways we cannot fully predict. That is its real power.
Beautifully put. And yes, libraries is where it’s at. It made me want to volunteer and my local primary immediately.
Loved the Substack event sooo much (I was sitting behind you, asked a question about self-publishing). As I've already messaged to Mark below, it was so lovely to hear people talking as evangelically about Substack as I feel. After over 40 years as a journalist I feel like Black Beauty when he was finally able to run around in a lovely field without a harness on.
🐴❤️
Lots of lovely serendipity.
Yes!
People and places so beautifully described as always, Eleanor.
Thank you for taking our hands and leading us through.
I’m glad you enjoyed your time there, and great that you found out who to call to get FALLOUT into prison libraries.
Yes, really excited by this prospect. Thanks.
Love this inside peek at the vibe, the scene, the characters, and the tenacity of writers and readers. The ancient (radical) technology of words and stories endures — and nowhere better than here on Substack.
Right 🙌
Love this! Was great to bump into you x
So great. I’ll be in touch x
I like this peek behind the scenes of your version of the fair!
Do you need to be invited to the fair or is anyone allowed?
Anyone. It’s ticketed.
Perfectly captured! Recommend seeing the documentary The Librarians about school libraries in the states. It’s dystopian times over here I’m afraid.
Loooove
Wooh, that's 'some' fair and its all only about books!
Isn't it unreal to think that human's innate desire to communicate and scrawl symbols on cave walls and stone, then papyrus, then paper, led to all this and so much more. And.......to think about the zillions of books that were involved in getting to those 2 days. Not specifically those being shown those days but those books who taught the steelmakers, the engineers, the architects, who built Olympia, the print machine makers, the printers, teachers, the computer builders and not to mention all the other books along the eons that now allow the likes of you and me to make a book! Surreal. And I love that. I so miss libraries too! Thank you for sharing your time there. I feel people overwhelm just reading it. 😬
I love that zoom out on what it took to get us all there. And yes, our love of communication is the hope that springs eternal.
❤️🫶🏻
Festival know how always handy Sounds amazing , engaging , exciting and tiring all in one
I employed years of experience 😂. Unfortunately no one ended up face down on the dance floor.
Not doing it right then !!!!
Exciting!! Thanks for taking us along for the ride.
A pleasure ❤️
Lovely glimpse inside--and so glad to see your book on display!
Always a thrill 🙃