the beautiful worst

4.14.20 vol. 6 - issue 2

Five years ago, I was getting ready to launch my first book and learning the ropes of being an indie author. When I found out I had to set up a newsletter--something, I was advised, that would educate, entertain, or inspire--I wanted to find a way to explore the creative process and connect with other creators. The conversations I've had in the zine over the years have taught me that creativity is transformation. It comes from seeking a solution to the tension between the beautiful and the worst.

This issue of the beautiful worst is a celebration of our humanity and our ability to create in the face of crisis. Included are resources for supporting creators who may be impacted by the pandemic and ways to bring creativity into your life while quarantined. Keep in mind the news moves really fast and the offerings may have changed since the zine's original publication. I'll be posting a live version of this issue to my blog and updating it as the crisis evolves and our needs change. If you are a creator offering a service, or if you'd like to add a resource to this list, please send me an email at katie.li.writer@gmail.com. We're in this together.

Economic Resources for Creators:

While the CARES Act offers assistance for small businesses, self-employed workers, and freelancers, the application process isn't easy. Here's an online course about navigating the CARES Act as a small business.

The Freelancer's Co-op has created a comprehensive Freelancers Guide to the CARES Act.

Fortune recently published some thorough advice for freelancers impacted by the pandemic.

Poets and Writers has a round-up of resources for writers.

Study Hall, a professional network for freelance writers, made their previously gated content on Patreon available for free.

PEN America has an Emergency Fund for Writers impacted by the Coronavirus.

There's also the Freelancer's Relief Fund.

Here's a master list of resources for artists, including relief programs and grants from Creative Capital.

Resources for Artists and Book Sellers

Resources for Freelance Artists

For musicians, Band Camp is waiving their cut of sales so all the revenue goes directly to musicians. NPR also has this round-up on how fans can support the music industry, which includes a number of relief funds.

The Local Enterprise Assistance Fund has created resources to assist small businesses.

For artists in Boston, the city of Boston started the Boston Artist Relief Fund awarding grants of $500 to individual artists whose creative practices and incomes have been impacted by Covid-19.

If you are looking for remote work, there's this list of 1575 Remote Jobs from 100+ Companies.

For Creative Activities and Enrichment at Home:

Make Sure Your Library Card is Up To Date to access your library's Digital Resources, like Boston's e-Cards.

Your library might also have a virtual story time or activities on Facebook live, like the Kansas City Public Library

Students from Harvard, MIT, UC Berkeley Give Free Tutoring to K-12 Students

Center for Distance and Online Learning is offering free resources.

Draw with children's book author Mo Willem.

or download free coloring pages from Museums.

Tune in to the #AuthorsEverywhere series on YouTube hosted by author Susan Tan.

Coming up in May, the Everywhere Book Fest will kick off it's virtual book festival.

You can also check out the Stay at Home Online Music Festival.

Here's a big google doc of quarantine activities for kids

And 450 Ivy League courses you can take online right now for free.

You can also check out MIT's Open Courseware.

Fender is offering Free Guitar Lessons

Professional Photographers of America is offering free access to its 1,100+ classes

You can take free drawing classes from famous illustrators.

Or virtual cooking classes on Instagram with chefs like Massimo Bottura or Queer Eye's Antoni Porowski. Chef Julia Turshen also offers daily food writing prompts on Instagram.

Here's a list of Live Virtual Concerts to Watch During the Coronavirus Shutdown - via NPR

The Guardian offers a round-up: From Stand-up to the Sistine Chapel: The Best Online Culture for Self-Isolation

These 12 Famous Museums Offer Virtual Tours You Can Take On Your Couch

45 Things You Can Do At Home That Don't Involve A Screen

If You're Looking For Irreverence:

The Coronavirus Is Inspiring Memes, Parodies, and Art in Asia as a Way to Cope - LA Times

Face Masks, Toilet Rolls, and PSAs: The Graffiti and Street Art of the Coronavirus Pandemic

DIY Pandemic Haircuts are the Latest Social Media Trend

The Queen of England Gives a Speech In a Green Dress and Photoshoppers Know What To Do

The Front Steps Project

Reading While Quarantined

There are TONS of social distancing reading lists right now--tons and tons and tons--but these in particular caught my attention:

31 Books to Read While Self-Isolating, Chosen by Boston Booksellers (via Boston Magazine)

Escapist Young Adult Novels Offer a Breath of Fresh Air in the Current Political Climate (via Bitch Media)

Exploring America Through Books (via Book Riot)

16 Uplifting Books To Read In These Dark Times (via Book Riot)

13 Essential Pandemic Novels (via Publishers Weekly)

If purchasing books, consider supporting your local indie bookstore. Many are offering online ordering with free/discounted shipping or curbside pick-up. Dave Eggers has a good piece on why we should support our indie bookstores during this crisis. (Added bonus: your indie bookstore is likely to ship your next book faster to you than Amazon).

Here are some tips on starting a virtual book club, as well as some more ideas on how to use digital tools for your book club.

If you aren't part of a book club, you are welcome to join mine! This month, we're reading Danny Caine's zine, How to Resist Amazon and Why. You can join the discussion here.

If You Need Some Good News:

Here's a look at some of the amazing acts of kindness happening across the country and around the world (via the New York Times)

as well as 5 Reasons to Be Hopeful (via the BBC)

and how the pandemic is leading to a huge drop in air pollution (via The Guardian)

Also, here's the dog sled team delivering supplies to elderly folks in quarantine.

If You're Looking for Ways to Help:

Scientists say the best way for us to help right now is to stay home in order to flatten the curve. Here are some actions you can take either at home or while practicing social distancing:

Contribute to Amy McGrath's senate campaign to kick Mitch McConnell to the curb. Seriously. Fuck that guy.

Social distancing is leading to a severe shortage of blood. Learn more about donating blood with the American Red Cross

There's also been a greater demand at food banks.

Help senior citizens stay connected by joining a group like Dorot.

Support workers by staying on the right side of picket lines.

Speak out against racism by sharing this website for Asian-Americans to report coronavirus-related racism developed by the Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council, or simply reminding folks who use language like 'Chinese virus' that it's called "Covid-19."

Donate to Planned Parenthood because state governments are trying to use the crisis to eliminate abortion rights.

Consider donating to the Trevor Project to support LGBTQ youth who may be quarantined in unsupportive households.

Learn about the impact of the pandemic on the service industry with this recent interview from David Chang and how a collapsed restaurant industry has implications for cultural diversity in America - New York Times.

Frontline Foods is supporting communities by sending meals from local restaurants to frontline workers.

With an influx of abandoned pets, local animal shelters can use support. If you can, consider fostering or adopting a pet. You can also help get the word out that pets can't spread covid-19 so people will stop abandoning their pets.

and, last but not least, Fill Out Your Census Form. A small but mighty contribution. (John Oliver did a great report on why the census is important).

If You've Been Living Under A Rock and Have No Idea What I'm Talking About:

Here's a Timeline of the Coronavirus Pandemic from the New York Times.

As well as a thorough overview from The Atlantic

You can also check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the World Health Organization for updates.

Stay Safe, Stay Home. Wash Your Hands. I'm rooting for you <3

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