Congratulations - that is great news. I'll be an expat by the time the book comes out (moving from one democracy in need of having to another) but I'm already looking forward to reading it.
We're heading to Israel in August. Major life shift. Looking forward to living in a country that supports families with children with special needs, guarantees universal healthcare, and supports higher-ed, and looking forward to joining many (though not enough) religious voices there in support of democracy.
Congratulations! I’m intrigued by the secret feminist history of butter cows. A friend always makes a pilgrimage to see the butter cow at the Illinois state fair.
Looking forward to the book and all of your insights. And happy to be along for the ride, to do whatever small part I can from way over here in the little Midwest of Western NY to help keep your fires burning.
Having lived in the Midwest (Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, now Minnesota) for all but 8 of my 72 years, your new book definitely piques my interest. I was never aware of a conscious attachment to this region, but when I lived in the DC area those 8 years (for work and grandkids), the contrast was stark, and as soon as I retired and the grandkids moved, it was back to the Midwest I wanted to go. Perhaps your book will help me understand why that pull is so strong. No pressure, though!
Even after living here for 20sih years, I still sometimes feel like a tourist waiting for his visa to run out. But there is something magical up here that I can't quite explain.
I recently crossed paths with a couple of traveling nurses at UIHC. Both were from out of state and both said they were pleasantly surprised by what they found here.
Cannot wait! Excited for the journey of this book. I recently started dating a guy from Missouri and it’s reminding me of all the Midwest things again that my mom talked about. He is still in touch with his conservative family even though they spout hateful stuff all the time about LGBTQ+ folks. It’s such a struggle and the choices we hear on socials are bleak and harsh. I’d sure love that red-blue map to go away too.
This is wonderful news, Lyz! I appreciate the collective and community spirit that you are uplifting in how you are envisioning Middle Kingdom. One element that felt conspicuously missing from your description of the book is the role of Native communities and ways of being, which have deeply influences some of the best of Midwestern culture. I'm mixed German settler/Anishinaabe (White Earth nation descendant), and Indigenous culture and collaboration is also the story of the Midwest. Some of the origins of our Midwestern collectivist focus of sharing food and ideas (not without conflicts) - from the old time rendezvous at Grand Portage to neighborhood potlucks). I hope this is also a part of your forthcoming book. Some resources could include: Minneapolis American Indian Center, NDN Collective, tribal cultural centers and museums, and movements like the protests at Standing Rock, as well as elders, activists, scholars, and authors, like David Treuer who wrote Heartbeat of Wounded Knee or Diane Wilson who wrote the Seed Keeper or the incomparable Louise Erdrich...there are so many! Thanks, miigwetch!
If an inclusion of Native history and present realities is missing from the description, it is not missing in the chapter summaries! But thank you so much for pointing this out. This is why I value my community so much!
YAY! Miigwetch - thanks. I just read today's newsletter and didn't see reference to Native nations in that piece, but I haven't seen the chapter summaries and am SO glad to hear Native ideas and values are there to underpin our current values on these lands. I love all your books and look forward to reading this one. Thanks for taking the time to reply, and for caring.
Congratulations! I look forward to reading your next book.
As someone raised in a tiny town in Ohio, who has subsequently lived on both coasts, I feel connected to all these messy contradictions. (fwiw, I'm now back in the midwest and the stay-or-go is a continual tug of war in my heart).
I love your stories, Lyz! They get me out of my head with its "doom and gloom" plotting and into gratitude for all that is around me (a much better place to start). I hope I am part of what makes my hometown good!
I look forward to this as I have to your other 3, all purchased in hardback since sarah Weinman mentioned your first book. You are my first paid substack and will always be as long as you continue to write. Thanks for also seeing and mentioning the voices in between the two far poles, this nuance is what we always need to remind us that things are complicated.
Congratulations - that is great news. I'll be an expat by the time the book comes out (moving from one democracy in need of having to another) but I'm already looking forward to reading it.
Where are you going Avraham? I understand this Internet thing is international, so we will still be able to hear from you. ; )
We're heading to Israel in August. Major life shift. Looking forward to living in a country that supports families with children with special needs, guarantees universal healthcare, and supports higher-ed, and looking forward to joining many (though not enough) religious voices there in support of democracy.
And also looking forward to sticking around this corner of the Internet!
This is such an exciting change! I'm interested to hear about your adventures!
Oh, I'm definitely going to be sharing!
Good luck with it all.
In need of **saving, I meant!!
Beautiful
Congratulations! I’m intrigued by the secret feminist history of butter cows. A friend always makes a pilgrimage to see the butter cow at the Illinois state fair.
Looking forward to the book and all of your insights. And happy to be along for the ride, to do whatever small part I can from way over here in the little Midwest of Western NY to help keep your fires burning.
Can't wait for TMK!
Having lived in the Midwest (Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, now Minnesota) for all but 8 of my 72 years, your new book definitely piques my interest. I was never aware of a conscious attachment to this region, but when I lived in the DC area those 8 years (for work and grandkids), the contrast was stark, and as soon as I retired and the grandkids moved, it was back to the Midwest I wanted to go. Perhaps your book will help me understand why that pull is so strong. No pressure, though!
Even after living here for 20sih years, I still sometimes feel like a tourist waiting for his visa to run out. But there is something magical up here that I can't quite explain.
I recently crossed paths with a couple of traveling nurses at UIHC. Both were from out of state and both said they were pleasantly surprised by what they found here.
Belonging is another name for community.
Cannot wait! Excited for the journey of this book. I recently started dating a guy from Missouri and it’s reminding me of all the Midwest things again that my mom talked about. He is still in touch with his conservative family even though they spout hateful stuff all the time about LGBTQ+ folks. It’s such a struggle and the choices we hear on socials are bleak and harsh. I’d sure love that red-blue map to go away too.
This is wonderful news, Lyz! I appreciate the collective and community spirit that you are uplifting in how you are envisioning Middle Kingdom. One element that felt conspicuously missing from your description of the book is the role of Native communities and ways of being, which have deeply influences some of the best of Midwestern culture. I'm mixed German settler/Anishinaabe (White Earth nation descendant), and Indigenous culture and collaboration is also the story of the Midwest. Some of the origins of our Midwestern collectivist focus of sharing food and ideas (not without conflicts) - from the old time rendezvous at Grand Portage to neighborhood potlucks). I hope this is also a part of your forthcoming book. Some resources could include: Minneapolis American Indian Center, NDN Collective, tribal cultural centers and museums, and movements like the protests at Standing Rock, as well as elders, activists, scholars, and authors, like David Treuer who wrote Heartbeat of Wounded Knee or Diane Wilson who wrote the Seed Keeper or the incomparable Louise Erdrich...there are so many! Thanks, miigwetch!
If an inclusion of Native history and present realities is missing from the description, it is not missing in the chapter summaries! But thank you so much for pointing this out. This is why I value my community so much!
YAY! Miigwetch - thanks. I just read today's newsletter and didn't see reference to Native nations in that piece, but I haven't seen the chapter summaries and am SO glad to hear Native ideas and values are there to underpin our current values on these lands. I love all your books and look forward to reading this one. Thanks for taking the time to reply, and for caring.
Excellent suggestions.
Congratulations! I look forward to reading your next book.
As someone raised in a tiny town in Ohio, who has subsequently lived on both coasts, I feel connected to all these messy contradictions. (fwiw, I'm now back in the midwest and the stay-or-go is a continual tug of war in my heart).
I love your stories, Lyz! They get me out of my head with its "doom and gloom" plotting and into gratitude for all that is around me (a much better place to start). I hope I am part of what makes my hometown good!
I look forward to this as I have to your other 3, all purchased in hardback since sarah Weinman mentioned your first book. You are my first paid substack and will always be as long as you continue to write. Thanks for also seeing and mentioning the voices in between the two far poles, this nuance is what we always need to remind us that things are complicated.
Congratulations! I can't wait for the next book! I'm so midwest it's embarrassing and I REALLY hate potlucks.
Looking forward to it!
Congratulations on the book deal. I can't wait to read it!