Surprise! I’m back in Hudson! I kind of love this little town. Right off the train from NYC, quiet, sweet, great food, incredibly over-priced antiques, but otherwise lovely. I think every once in a while I miss a quaint little town in the middle of nowhere. Mon would be thrilled.

I have to admit, I feel like I’ve been spinning my wheels a bit, with everything, but mainly with the publishing company. I’m tired from turning up empty-handed. I told myself I was coming up here to search more shops and jumble sales for the books, but if I’m being honest, this is where I first thought to re-open Ackerly Green and now I’ve come up here to re think it.

I have the ability, right now at least, to do whatever I want. Yes, I could find those half-dozen books and do the grandfather I never knew proud. OR…
Maybe I could use AGP to bring about some positive change in the world. I know, I know…

I’m thinking lots of crazy things. Digital, interactive, uncovering fresh talent, children’s authors, young adult… explore what an un-publisher publisher could do with the resources I’ve been gifted. Respect the past, but look forward. I wouldn’t say I’m exactly talented, though I do enjoy writing, but the idea of fostering other people’s talent gets me really excited.

I realise (almost with a “z”) if I only pursued those old books I’d be falling into the same trap my grandfather and his partner fell into… playing it safe. Playing it traditionally. This world, especially right now, needs more people willing to risk everything for change. To be a voice. The work can be dark, edgy, scary, it doesn’t have to be sunshine and rainbows, but it should be new, exciting, different. If I find something that excites me maybe it will excite someone else? That’s really all I have to go on, having absolutely no experience in this industry.

So that’s where I am.

I think I’ll still republish what I’ve found, keep feelers out for the other books, but also start to look forward. I woke up this morning really excited!

And today I finally stopped looking at old musty books and ended up finding the strangest, most wonderful little things… A wax skull, a beautiful bottle of green ink, a candle that smells like blackberries and cassis, a chunk of amethyst crystal, a bottle filled with keys that have seahorse heads on them (and the bottle smells like something wonderful used to be in it) and finally, a little green dragon finger puppet that no one can tell me isn’t actually Herman The Hippocampus.

I just felt drawn to them for some reason and wanted to take them home with me. But I think I’ll spend a few more days soaking in the inspiration and clean air, then home.

Ha. Home. It is home, I guess… Green Manor. Home of the all new Ackerly Green Publishing.