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

  • 3 days ago
  • 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.”



Sacramento Attorney and Author Miles Whitney Wins 2025 New Feathers Award for “Artifact of Death, Artifact of Life”

  • Feb 15
  • 2 min read


Tahoe City, CA - Bootstrap Publications is proud to announce that author Miles Whitney has been named the first-place winner of the 2025 New Feathers Award. Selected by the editorial team at New Feathers Anthology, Whitney’s winning nonfiction piece, “Artifact of Death, Artifact of Life,” was honored for its profound emotional resonance and masterful use of historical imagery.


“Artifact of Death, Artifact of Life” provides a powerful exploration of identity and survival. A queer, trans, Jewish research attorney based in Sacramento, Whitney channels his passion for justice into both the legal field and his creative work. The winning piece weaves together the haunting history of "bone music"—clandestine Soviet-era records pressed onto discarded X-ray film—with a contemporary narrative of the trans experience. Drawing on his unique ability to connect personal vulnerability with global history, Whitney presents a compelling look at the search for safety and the "indestructible music" of the human spirit.


“This is such an honor. There were so many other great works this year. Here's to a year with lots of great creativity, reading, and appreciating art!” — Miles Whitney


Key Highlights of “Artifact of Death, Artifact of Life”:

  • 2025 First Place Winner: Distinguished as the premier entry in the annual New Feathers Award cycle, selected from a competitive field of nominees across fiction, poetry, and art.

  • The Symbolism of "Bone Music": A central exploration of how banned art survived on radiographic film—literally turning images of death into vessels for music.

  • A Timely Narrative: A poignant reflection on the Passover story, drawing parallels between ancient flight and the modern challenges facing the trans community.


Since its publication in the Summer 2025 issue of New Feathers Anthology, the piece has moved readers and critics alike. This milestone arrives as Whitney prepares for the 2026 release of his debut novel with Bootstrap Publications, Midlife Musical, a richly layered exploration of art, memory, and the courage it takes to live authentically.


About Miles Whitney: Miles Whitney is an attorney, author, and advocate. With his work in the legal field and the literary arts, Whitney explores themes of grief, identity, and resilience—themes he has championed since the loss of his daughter, Isabel, in 2022. His writing has appeared in Slate, Freedom Fiction Journal, and Homo Works. Outside of writing and law, he enjoys reading Torah and training dogs in Northern California, weaving together his love for storytelling, faith, and community.


Connect with [Author Name]:

For more information on Midlife Musical or to schedule an interview with Miles Whitney, please contact:info@bootstrappublications.com


Tags: Miles Whitney, New Feathers Award, Nonfiction, Trans Literature, Midlife Musical, Sacramento Authors, Bootstrap Publications

Industries: Publishing, Literature, Social Justice, Legal



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