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Behind the Verse: Why CJ is Publishing The Book of Cadence

  • Feb 25
  • 2 min read

For many authors, a book is a product of imagination. For CJ, the author of upcoming book The Book of Cadence, her debut manuscript is something more profound: it is a physical manifestation of a lived philosophy. To understand the world of "tele-empathy" and the "Ether" within her pages, one must first look at the vision board that birthed it.


CJ’s writing journey is rooted in a desire for radical alignment. "My vision is for my life to reflect my core values, and for both to show up organically in my writing," she explains. This isn't just about storytelling; it’s about a holistic lifestyle where the author and the art are indistinguishable.


A Tapestry of Healing and Heritage

The vision board serves as a blueprint for the "Afrocentric stories" CJ is bringing to the world—narratives that prioritize healing, presence, and creativity. By weaving these elements into The Book of Cadence, she honors a lineage of storytelling that is both ancient and futuristic.


Key elements of her vision include:

  • The Wisdom of the Earth: The board is lush with images of nature and healthy herbs. CJ views her creativity as an extension of the natural world, striving to "become more like nature" through her prose.

  • The Power of the Gut and the Crown: Splashed with vibrant purples, oranges, and yellows, the board focuses on the Crown Chakra (spiritual connection) and the Solar Plexus (personal power and intuition). To CJ, these are the essential tools for manifestation.

  • Guided Manifestation: The board is peppered with "suggestions"—guiding words that act as a compass, leading her toward the completion of her trilogy.


Writing the "Uncolonizable"


The Book of Cadence is CJ’s way of celebrating her connection to nature and her spiritual self. By focusing on the "melanated femme family" and their evolution in a post-apocalyptic world, she is creating a space that is, in her own words, uncolonizable.


Through this book, readers aren't just invited to read a story; they are invited to witness a woman’s vision for a life—and a world—lived in full, vibrant color.

Bootstrap Publications Author CJ Spears Awarded Hudson Valley Writers Residency to Finalize Afro-Surrealist Debut

  • Feb 19
  • 2 min read

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



TAHOE CITY, CA - Bootstrap Publications, dedicated to amplifying voices that challenge the status quo and foster deep cultural connection, is proud to announce the upcoming completion of "The Book of Cadence" by Chasejamison Akilah Manar-Spears (CJ). This Afro-surrealist climate fiction brings CJ’s background as a revolutionary thinker, yoga teacher, and ecological advocate to the forefront, offering readers a powerful exploration of Black womanhood, magic, and liberation in the face of a changing world.


Drawing on CJ’s unique insights into the intersection of spirit and ecology, she presents a transformative narrative that offers hope and visionary solutions to the specific challenges of post-capitalistic survival and environmental collapse.


“I am building worlds that feel like rain falling over this forest fire we call capitalism,” CJ said in her artist statement. “I’m excited for what will be born here [in the residency], and I’ll be sharing updates as the work unfolds.” — She further shared on her socials.


Key Highlights of her upcoming book:

  • Afro-Surrealist Vision: A "purple sky" world that explores the intersection of ancient nature connection and futuristic speculative fiction.

  • Matriarchal Frameworks: A centralization of Black womanhood and ancestral wisdom as the primary tools for navigating a dystopian setting.

  • Climate Fiction (Cli-Fi) Innovation: The first in a planned trilogy exploring the Ocean as the mother of all life and the rise of indigenous post-capitalistic societies.


CJ will be spending the first week of March (March 1st–8th) in residence at the Hudson Valley Writers Center in New York. Staying in the historic James Baldwin room, they will complete the final manuscript due for submission on March 10th.


"The Book of Cadence" introduces readers to a world where ecology and spirit blend to shape new realities, providing a compelling narrative that empowers readers to "surrealize" the world as a means of survival and transformation.


About CJ Spears: Chasejamison Akilah Manar-Spears (CJ) is an imaginative writer whose words bloom at the intersection of poetry and speculative fiction. With their work in the Black Seeds Bloom collective, CJ has helped connect the writing process with community building and revolutionary healing, creating lasting change through ancestrally informed storytelling. They are also known for their self-published poetry collection, "Becoming Friends With Trees & Other Creative Prophecies."


Connect with CJ Spears:

Learn more about Bootstrap Publications: https://www.bootstrappublications.com/ 


For more information on The Book of Cadence or to schedule an interview with CJ Spears, please contact:info@bootstrappublications.com



Industries: Book Publishing, Literary Arts, Environmental Justice, Wellness & Spirituality, Social Change, Creative Arts




The Powerful "Why" Behind Carolyn Meers’ Work: Her Vision Boards

  • Feb 19
  • 2 min read

For author Carolyn Meers, a vision board is more than just a collection of clippings—it is a map of a life reclaimed. As she prepares for her upcoming book release, Carolyn is opening up about the deeply personal experiences that fueled her creativity and her mission to spread hope.


A Superpower for Seeing Love



The "Heart" vision board serves as a vibrant testament to her belief that love is a tangible, guiding force in the world. The board features a world shaped like a heart and the bold declaration, "I Have a Superpower.”

For Carolyn, that superpower is the ability to spot hearts in the everyday world—a gift she views as a direct message from her "angels, spirit guides, and mom.”


This isn't just about aesthetics; it’s about survival. "I believe love conquers all," she shares, "because my love saved my life.”


Her board reflects this global perspective, sparking memories of hearts she has encountered across the U.S. and around the world.


Finding Grace in the Struggle


If the heart board represents her "why," the "Finding Grace" board represents her "how.” This second board is a raw, honest look at the obstacles she has overcome. It is a collage of heavy truths:


  • Adversity: References to addiction, drug abuse, and "no more hiding".

  • Health: Her "amazing cancer journey" and her battles with anxiety and depression.

  • Identity: The complexities of adoption, bullying, and revealing secrets that "no one really knew".


Despite the weight of these topics, the board is crowned with words like Grace, Healing, and Risen from the Ashes.


A Message of Hope


The ultimate goal of her book is to provide a lifeline to those currently walking the difficult paths she once navigated. By telling her story on her terms, she hopes to show readers that regardless of the mistakes or the diagnosis, there is a way forward.


"Most of all," Carolyn says, "the vision board represents HOPE.”



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