No Wasted Ink Newsletter & Ramblecast - May 2025
a newsletter and voiceover podcast by Poet Laureate Emerita Wendy Van Camp
Welcome to the monthly No Wasted Ink Newsletter. My name is Wendy Van Camp and I’m Poet Laureate Emerita from the City of Anaheim, California. This newsletter is not affiliated with the city. All views stated here are my own.
RAMBLE
LitFest in the Dena was the first weekend of May, and it was a full day of poetry, conversation, and creative energy. This poetry festival takes place in Alta Dena, CA, but this year because of the Los Angeles fires, we lost our usual venue and were moved one city over into Pasadena.
My group, the Starlit Scribes, was scheduled to speak on Saturday at 11:30am, which is a great time on the program. We’re all speculative poets, and it was an honor to share the stage with Bree Wernicke, LK Indigo, Denise Dumars, and Pedro Iniguez. Each of us write with a different voice, but together we create a powerful blend of science fiction, fantasy, and horror poetry.
As moderator, I did a quick intro and shared a little about SFWA (Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Association) and their new Nebula Award for Poetry. I also spoke about the SFPA (Science Fiction & Fantasy Poetry Association). My co-panelist Denise talked about the HWA (Horror Writers Association). We wanted to help the audience understand how our writing connects with these groups. Speculative poetry is not considered mainstream, so I feel it is beneficial to explain what it is in the hope other poets might give our type of poetry a try.
In the middle of the panel, I asked the audience if they had any questions about speculative poetry, and two people spoke up. Their questions were thoughtful, and it gave us a great chance to explain more about what we do. We ended with a “lightning round,” where each poet read one final piece. I made sure all our poets held up their books afterward, just in case someone in the audience wanted to buy a copy.
Our autograph session was right after our reading. We did make a few sales, but the best part was the chance to relax and talk with each other. I always enjoy catching up with fellow poets, and this was no exception. Later in the day, a few people stopped me in the hallway to say how much they enjoyed our panel. The feedback means a lot.
After that, I needed a little break, so I wandered over to the tea vendor at the festival, called Tea Spectral. We had a lovely chat about tea blends, and I tried a few samples. One of them was called “Plein Air” which reminded me of my urban sketching hobby and smelled amazing. I ended up buying a small pouch to take home. I like to support small businesses when I can, especially ones owned by women.
Then I joined a zine workshop. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it ended up being a lot of fun. I made a small poetry sample zine with my website and newsletter info on the back. I didn’t have time to draw or decorate it much, but I made about six copies and traded them with other workshop attendees. I kept a few extras to hand out at open mics. Even though it’s rough, I’m glad I gave it a try. I’m starting to see how zines could be a fun and creative way to share poems.
The last panel I attended was a reading by the Zephyr Poetry Group. I’d heard them last year and was glad to see them again. They always bring a thoughtful and strong presence to their readings. As a nice surprise, the leader of my haiku group happened to be sitting behind me. Afterward, we had a friendly chat about literary haiku.
At the end of the day, I picked up my unsold books from the bookseller. By the time I got home, I felt tired but happy. It was a good day; our reading went well and I got to spend time with some of my favorite poets. I’m already looking forward to next year.
yours in poetry,
Wendy
ESSAY
Coffee Breaks and Creativity: A Writer’s Guide to Work-Life Balance
Balancing work and life sounds nice on paper, until you're knee-deep in edits at 10PM with cold coffee and no dinner in sight. Writing from home might seem like the dream, but if you're not careful, the lines between your job and your life start to smear like ink in the rain.
Over the years, I’ve had to figure out what keeps me sane. What keeps my writing focused and my personal life… well, personal. If you're trying to make both your work and your life actually work, here are a few things that have helped me keep the peace.
Take Small Breaks That Actually Mean Something
Mornings for me start away from my office. I drink a cup of coffee, check the news and let my mind clear. I find it is a moment of peace that allows my mind to relax and get ready for the day.
When I start my office hours, it is with email. Nothing fancy, just a check-in to see if anything urgent landed in my inbox overnight. Once that’s out of the way, I get up and go grab another cup of coffee.
I could keep the coffee pot right next to my desk. But I don’t. My kitchen is on the opposite end of the house, and that walk of about five minutes round trip, is part of the plan. It gives me a break from the screen, gets my body moving, and lets my brain breathe a little. It’s not wasted time; it’s a reset button.
Those little pauses between tasks are my way of keeping burnout at bay. I treat them like punctuation marks in a long sentence. Tiny breaks that help everything make more sense.
Save the Hard Stuff for Later
After the second cup of coffee, I jump into creative work. That’s when my brain is sharpest. No clutter, no fatigue, just me and the page. Social media posts, emails, or admin stuff? That can wait until later in the day, when my energy dips. I’m not going to waste my best brain hours answering DMs.
It took me a while to stop feeling guilty about that. But honestly? Guarding your mental energy is one of the kindest things you can do for yourself.
Work Hours: Set Them and Stick to Them
Working from home sounds flexible, but the downside is that work can stretch. You tell yourself, “I’ll just write one more paragraph…” and next thing you know, it’s 9 PM and your stomach’s growling.
So I gave myself office hours. Mine start at 10 and wrap up around 5. After that, I shut it down. Desktop off. No more “just one more thing.” It’s not always perfect. Deadlines exist, but it’s made a world of difference. My evenings belong to me, and I like it that way.
And you know what else? It helps the people around you, too. When your household knows when you’re “at work” and when you’re not, it cuts down on confusion (and interruptions).
Make Space. Even if It’s Just a Corner
Your physical space matters more than people think. I’ve got a dedicated home office set up just for writing. It’s quiet, out of the way, and my desk faces a wall so I’m not tempted to stare out the window every five minutes. I use an L-shaped desk, which helps me stay organized. Everything a place, from my coffee mug to my sticky notes. All my supplies live in a tote bag tucked under the desk. It keeps clutter off my workspace but everything I need is still within reach.
If you can’t carve out a full room or even a desk, try this: keep your writing gear in a tote or basket. Set it up when you start. Pack it away when you finish. It sounds small, but those actions send a message: “Now I’m writing.” Later, “Now I’m done.”
Schedule Joy Like You Mean It
Here’s the trap: when you love what you do, it’s easy to let it fill every corner. But that’s not sustainable. That’s just another kind of burnout.
So I started putting joy on the calendar. Dinner with my husband? On the calendar. A movie night with friends? Yep. A watercolor painting session? It’s in there. If I can make time for deadlines, I can make time for things that refill me.
And the funny thing? When I take time to live, I write better. I feel sharper. More grounded. Turns out, you don’t have to earn rest. You just have to protect it.
No, It’s Not Always Perfect
There are days when the boundaries blur. A crisis comes up, a deadline looms, the writing won’t stop buzzing in your brain. And that’s okay. This isn’t about perfection. It’s about intention.
What matters is that I keep coming back to these practices. They’re not rules. They’re support beams. They hold me up when things get chaotic.
Balancing work and life as a writer is messy sometimes. But it’s possible. It’s personal. And it’s worth figuring out.
Because your life deserves as much attention as your writing. Maybe even more.
SCIFAIKU
whale circles the boat singing with the hydrophone practice for ET
This is a poem from “Eccentric Orbits 5” from a series of Scifaiku science poems about the study of whales and their language. By using ChatGTP, scientists are creating a “whale chatbot” in order to learn how to communicate with humpback whales. They have had success when a female whale nicknamed “Twain” circled their boat for twenty minutes answering their acoustic call. The whale eventually gave up in frustration, but this was a serious sign the scientists are on the right track. Poem is by Wendy Van Camp
UPCOMING APPEARANCES
LitFest in the Dena
Pasadena, CA
May 3rd & 4th
I appear in-person as a reader and coordinator for our speculative poetry panel.
VALUES IN THE VOID: poems on integrity in the speculative realm
Join the Starlit Scribes for a reading of speculative poetry that probes the essence of human integrity, through the imaginative landscapes of science fiction, fantasy and horror.
Poets: Bree Wernicke, LK Indigo, Denis Dumars, Pedro Iniguez and Poet Laureate Emerita Wendy Van Camp.
Balticon 59
Baltimore, MD
May 23rd - 26th
balticon.org
I appear virtually as a panelist and workshop instructor this year. I am also one of the poetry judges for the Steve Miller BSFS Annual Poetry Contest. You must register to attend at the website.
PANELS:
Self-Editing Strategies
May 24th at 10am PT - Panelist - Virtual Panel Room 2
Marketing for the Indie
May 24th at 11:30am PT - Panelist - Virtual Room 3
WORKSHOP:
Chapbook Craft: Your Words, Your Way
May 25th at 10am PT - Instructor - Virtual Room 3
This is a workshop with power point presentation about creating your own chapbook of either poetry or short stories. Good for both those seeking representation via a small press or independant publishing.
WisCon 47
Madison, WI
May 23rd - 26th
wiscon.net/
I appear virtually as a reader and panelist. You must register to attend at the website.
PANELS:
Good News!
May 23rd at Noon PT - Panelist - What good news is out there in the world? Advances in medicine, breakthroughs in climate change, what do you have for us? Does it come with a Professor Farnsworth caveat?
Wheel of Time
May 23rd at 6pm PT - Roundtable Moderator - Fans of the Books and Prime TV Series talk about their favorite characters, plotlines, and magic!
READING:
May 24th at 5pm PT - Solo Reading - I am part of a group virtual reading with three other writers. Each of us will read around 12 minutes from our work. We are all independent writers that share the speculative genre, but are a mix of authors and poets.
PUBLICATIONS
Verse-Virtual
May 2025 Issue
Free to Read On-Line Poetry Journal
www.verse-virtual.org
My essay is reprinted:
"Rain Forest Writers Retreat Retrospective:
what it is like to be a poet at a novelist writing retreat"
Writing Coach Services
with Poet Laureate Emerita Wendy Van Camp
I have opened my consultation service at Indigoskye Press. I offer single hour coaching via Skype. I can help you navigate through the complex process of organizing a poetry chapbook, to either publish Indie or to prepare to entice a small press to pick up your book. I can explain how to Indie Publish your novel. I can also help on board potential science fiction authors and poets into the convention scene. If you need help with a long project, let me be your guide.
You can also order a block of three sessions at a discount.
Please visit my shop via the link at the top of my portfolio website or go there direct: https://indigoskye.com
LINKS TO SOCIAL MEDIA
Portfolio - http://wendyvancamp.com
Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/author/wendyvancamp
Medium - https://medium.com/@wvancamp
Indigoskye Press - https://indigoskye.com
X (Twitter) - https://twitter.com/wvancamp
Instagram - https://instagram.com/nowastedink
Mastodon - https://me.dm/@wvancamp
Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/indigoskye.bsky.social
BOOKS
The Planets: a scifaiku poetry collection - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Z8HMPF2
The Curate’s Brother: A Jane Austen Variation of Persuasion - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OU1V45A
ANTHOLOGIES
Eccentric Orbits: An Anthology of Science Fiction Poetry
Volumes 1 - 5
Editor
Available for purchase: https://dimensionfold.com
Anaheim Poetry Review 2023
Volumes 1 - 2
Editor
Free to Read: https://anaheimpoetry.com
Eye To The Telescope: Quests #46 - Fall 2022
Guest Editor
Free to Read: https://eyetothetelescope.com/archives/046issue.html
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