[Alex Pepple]

Hello, Jennifer!

That’s wonderful news—congratulations on the readings and the book sales! Seeing your titles not only find readers but also land in school and state libraries is a real testament to their lasting impact.

And yes, given the current climate around libraries and book removals, your work being selected as an "appropriate" replacement is... well, certainly open to interpretation—and I'm taking the positive one! Either way, it’s wonderful that your poetry is finding its rightful place on shelves where it can continue to inspire and find even more readers.

Cheers,
...Alex

[Max Goodman]

Just got this message from the president of my teachers' union. It made me think of the exchange at posts 26 and 27, so I'm adding it here:

People's Union USA, a consumer activist group, is calling for a 24 hour "economic blackout" tomorrow, Feb. 28, in which consumers will refuse to make any purchases except for the absolute essentials (food, medicine emergency supplies), and those from small, local businesses, NOT the corporate behemoths.

They are asking supporters not to shop either online or in-store, and not to spend money on fast food, gas or major retailers, particularly not at Amazon, Walmart and Best Buy, for which they have future consumer protests planned. Do not use Credit or Debit Cards for non-essential spending.

You can read more about the blackout in Forbes, among other places. Please participate in this important display of consumer solidarity and show who really runs our economy.