It's certainly an exciting time, Conor. Agree with everything you are thinking through and aiming towards here. Hope to be part of Inkwell's journey in whatever small way I can.
I also think there is a need for quality short fiction in the vein of Lewis' paraphrased quote from 'God In The Dock': "The world does not need more Christian literature. What it needs is more Christians writing good literature."
We will not have great novels (or the great films / TV series they so often lead to) without a robust publishing of quality short fiction.
I've been revisiting Flanney O'Connor's short stories and am convinced of this, as well. We need the poetic in the non-fiction realm of essays and such... but fictional worlds are vital for fostering the creative soul who is sharpened and humbled by these other ways of seeing.
Eager for all of this Conor. I appreciate how you articulate what I’ve often thought is an unnecessary tension between secular and sacred which is usually based on fear or judgement of one or the other. To me, it’s always been about cultural immersion and a love of the city and paying attention to nudges of the spirit to discern along the way.
I could sign up for every single offering listed here! Thank you. It is so refreshing and moving to see the work being done in this space. It feels special and spirit-led. Excited to follow along and hopefully be a part of something offline!
Conor it is a gift to have been part of this from the very beginning, back when you started in your dorm room. I am grateful for the space that Ekstasis online gave me back in the day. What a beautiful journey this has turned into.
(On a practical note, when you mentioned clicking on different links, only about half of them were live.... maybe later?)
Also, are you looking for people to offer guidance, coaching, etc in any area or is the workshop link just if we want to learn from other people? Thanks!)
Despite all of that, I can’t figure out where artists like me fit: isolated in extremely rural places, with no budget for travel, and starving for literary community amid a culturally sparse population. Everything I get from “Inkwell” seems to focus on urban gatherings and local enterprises. Over the past months, as my beloved Ekstasis apparently transitioned into this aloof Inkwell that seems to cater to places where Christian artists are already in abundance (if not connected), I have felt more and more overlooked and confused. I have been called to this place by God and bound to it by a lack of options. Ekstasis made me feel connected somehow to other people like me. Where do I fit in Inkwell, when my nub is so far from that well?
I'm sorry to hear you feel overlooked and confused! Let us know how we can continue to help create connections for you even in remote places. We want to serve anywhere that hungers for literary community.
There will certainly still be a publication. We are currently publishing more than ever here on Substack and on our soon-to-be-released new website. Additionally, we will still have an annual print edition.
That’s great news! Thanks for answering! I misunderstood. How does one get an event in their area? I’m in Chattanooga and would love to help get something going here!
It's been a pleasure to see the expanding reach of Ekstasis/Inkwell over the last several years. I appreciate the vision for branching into new ways of gathering, encouraging, and fostering connections between creative people and the broader culture. Thanks, Conor, for all you've done in curating great work and casting an expansive vision for this project.
It's certainly an exciting time, Conor. Agree with everything you are thinking through and aiming towards here. Hope to be part of Inkwell's journey in whatever small way I can.
I also think there is a need for quality short fiction in the vein of Lewis' paraphrased quote from 'God In The Dock': "The world does not need more Christian literature. What it needs is more Christians writing good literature."
We will not have great novels (or the great films / TV series they so often lead to) without a robust publishing of quality short fiction.
I've been revisiting Flanney O'Connor's short stories and am convinced of this, as well. We need the poetic in the non-fiction realm of essays and such... but fictional worlds are vital for fostering the creative soul who is sharpened and humbled by these other ways of seeing.
Yes! O'Connor is the prime example. The lodestar I will keep aiming at as I write fiction.
I agree, I've been dying to see Inkwell step into short fiction!!
Eager for all of this Conor. I appreciate how you articulate what I’ve often thought is an unnecessary tension between secular and sacred which is usually based on fear or judgement of one or the other. To me, it’s always been about cultural immersion and a love of the city and paying attention to nudges of the spirit to discern along the way.
I could sign up for every single offering listed here! Thank you. It is so refreshing and moving to see the work being done in this space. It feels special and spirit-led. Excited to follow along and hopefully be a part of something offline!
This is very exciting to read about! Well done for pouring yourself into this vision for others.
I’m pleased and excited to participate in your vision. Thanks for including me and mine.
I've never read an Elstatis/Inkwell article that did not strike me as so well composed & thoughtful, never.
Best of luck in this transition & thanks for all your efforts!
This is beautiful. So here for it.
So excited! Thanks for what you are doing for this generation, Conor and the rest of Inkwell team. I'd like to be part of this 🤍
Excited to see this all unfold Conor :)
Conor it is a gift to have been part of this from the very beginning, back when you started in your dorm room. I am grateful for the space that Ekstasis online gave me back in the day. What a beautiful journey this has turned into.
(On a practical note, when you mentioned clicking on different links, only about half of them were live.... maybe later?)
Also, are you looking for people to offer guidance, coaching, etc in any area or is the workshop link just if we want to learn from other people? Thanks!)
Amazing! This is what the Christian world needs right now.
Thank you for all you’re stewarding, and for what will continue to blossom through this.
Despite all of that, I can’t figure out where artists like me fit: isolated in extremely rural places, with no budget for travel, and starving for literary community amid a culturally sparse population. Everything I get from “Inkwell” seems to focus on urban gatherings and local enterprises. Over the past months, as my beloved Ekstasis apparently transitioned into this aloof Inkwell that seems to cater to places where Christian artists are already in abundance (if not connected), I have felt more and more overlooked and confused. I have been called to this place by God and bound to it by a lack of options. Ekstasis made me feel connected somehow to other people like me. Where do I fit in Inkwell, when my nub is so far from that well?
I'm sorry to hear you feel overlooked and confused! Let us know how we can continue to help create connections for you even in remote places. We want to serve anywhere that hungers for literary community.
I am confused a bit by the post. Is this now just a set of events, or will there still be a publication?
There will certainly still be a publication. We are currently publishing more than ever here on Substack and on our soon-to-be-released new website. Additionally, we will still have an annual print edition.
That’s great news! Thanks for answering! I misunderstood. How does one get an event in their area? I’m in Chattanooga and would love to help get something going here!
Exciting time. I’m very hopeful for what will come from this.
It's been a pleasure to see the expanding reach of Ekstasis/Inkwell over the last several years. I appreciate the vision for branching into new ways of gathering, encouraging, and fostering connections between creative people and the broader culture. Thanks, Conor, for all you've done in curating great work and casting an expansive vision for this project.
Looking forward to continuing developments!