The Creative Independent

Visual artist Wendy Red Star on collaborating with your ancestors – The Creative Independent Visual artist Wendy Red Star discusses how she approaches an archive, her MFA experience, and betting on herself.

“I was just a maniac, saying yes to everything and feeling like I was going to be doomed at any point. … You should always bet on yourself. It always turns out well, making that investment.”

wendy red star by me for @thecreativeindependent.com
thecreativeindependent.com/people/visua...

Visual artist David Hendren on building community as an introvert – The Creative Independent Visual artist David Hendren discusses dealing with rejection, sustaining an art practice, and working with intention

Check out my latest conversation for @thecreativeindependent.com with artist David Hendren. ✨ thecreativeindependent.com/people/visua...

Writer and translator Neige Sinno on understanding the power of your creative work – The Creative Independent Writer and translator Neige Sinno discusses the narrative form as an act of resistance, unexpected turns in a creative career, and believing in what you've built

We were so lucky to have @veryhotmomm.bsky.social and Neige in conversation this spring--read them talking about writing and power in their own words on @thecreativeindependent.com: thecreativeindependent.com/people/write...

Football player and author Christian Benford on the power of sharing what you learn with younger generations – The Creative Independent Professional football player (Buffalo Bills) and author Christian Benford discusses fostering creativity in your kids, how creative processes can keep you from burning out, and the impact of teaching ...

"I would never want to kill my kid’s creativity. The way to kill somebody's creativity is to take control. You choose them for them."

- Buffalo Bills' cornerback and children's book author, Christian Benford

thecreativeindependent.com/people/footb...

I'm using this @thecreativeindependent.com Q&A in a class I'm teaching tonight; every time I read it I notice something new.

"Having a really rigid artificial structure allows me freedom ... Having an alarm go off and saying, 'That's the end of my creative day,' that allows you to relax into it."

TCI is looking rl prutty today ✨ @thecreativeindependent.com

Journalist Brian Anderson on having patience with the time it takes to succeed – The Creative Independent Journalist Brian Anderson discusses the long journey from idea to finished project, the power of obsession, and how to persevere

Grateful to have this convo with my buddy Laura Feinstein for @thecreativeindependent.com on the ultra marathon of writing a book. thecreativeindependent.com/people/journ...

Writer and translator Neige Sinno on understanding the power of your creative work – The Creative Independent Writer and translator Neige Sinno discusses the narrative form as an act of resistance, unexpected turns in a creative career, and believing in what you've built

"But it’s hard. I am not a spokesperson. Every trauma is different, but we must realize, also, there are commonalities. You are never in [total] solitude." The incomprable Neige Sinno breaks down her process today in the @thecreativeindependent.com thecreativeindependent.com/people/write...

Writer and artist Aiden Arata on dealing with dread – The Creative Independent Writer and artist Aiden Arata discusses the magic of relatability, refuting the tortured artist trope, and not writing every day.

LOVE our conversation for @thecreativeindependent.com @aidenarata.bsky.social thecreativeindependent.com/people/write...

Writer Maris Kreizman on offering and asking for help – The Creative Independent Writer Maris Kreizman discusses defining herself outside of a corporate job, becoming a morning person, and how she decides what book to read.

I interviewed @maris.bsky.social for @thecreativeindependent.com about burning down the publishing industry thecreativeindependent.com/people/write...

🌱 yes! so happy to have you on the site.

Why did you make the move from working within the publishing industry to critiquing it? I had so many different jobs in and around the book publishing industry. I thought I was going to be a book editor. I worked at Simon & Schuster, and I was sure there was a direct career path for me. If I just worked hard enough, I could get the corner office one day. And that is not what happened. I was laid off from a job and then couldn’t get back in. After that, I was pursuing jobs that put me near books in some way. That includes working at Barnes & Noble Corporate, and also at Kickstarter, and trying to look at the publishing industry from a different angle. By the time I started critiquing the industry—much like when I started critiquing the systems in which I lived—it was because I had enough experience that I was able to see a bigger picture.

It was a particular thrill to talk to @scarletteharris.bsky.social for the Creative Independent given that it was started mere weeks after I left my job at Kickstarter. thecreativeindependent.com/people/write...

Writer Boris Fishman on balancing passion and practicality – The Creative Independent Writer Boris Fishman discusses growing up as an immigrant, artistic rituals, and keeping one foot on the ground

Really enjoyed my conversation with writer Boris Fishman for @thecreativeindependent.com thecreativeindependent.com/people/write...

Ian MacKaye and Brandon Stosuy on independence, creativity, and The Creative Independent – The Creative Independent Ian MacKaye and Brandon Stosuy sit down for a discussion about independence, creativity, punk, social media, and more.

If you ever wanted to know what @thecreativeindependent.com actually is, beside being my favourite #interview website, this 2016 convo with Ian MacKaye of #Fugazi is a great place to start.

Musician Ela Minus on having more power over your work – The Creative Independent Musician Ela Minus discusses demystifying your industry, questioning yourself and the systems around you, and the importance of teaching others

i spoke with ela minus about broken systems and paths forward.

thecreativeindependent.com/people/music...

Indie comics publisher Zach Clemente on sustaining a life-long project – The Creative Independent Comic artists advocate and indie comics publisher Zach Clemente discusses the past, current day-to-day, and hoped-for future of Bulgilhan Press.

Honored to have an interview up on @thecreativeindependent.com about running a independent comics press. Thank you @slamkusek.bsky.social for making it happen!

thecreativeindependent.com/people/indie...

THIS!

Writer Alejandro Heredia on making art in a world that profits off our time – The Creative Independent Writer Alejandro Heredia discusses difference, community, and dedicating yourself to your calling

Check out my latest interview for @thecreativeindependent.com with the indelible author Alejandro Heredia. thecreativeindependent.com/people/write...

It's our last ACCOMPLISHMENT SUNDAY of the month so we're starting it with nonfiction! 😍 Contributor Elisa Gabbert published the essay "30 Ideas About Writing Nonfiction" in @thecreativeindependent.com. Get your coffee and read it now: buff.ly/LNJMygD

30 Ideas About Writing Nonfiction – The Creative Independent The poet, essayist, and critic Elisa Gabbert offers 30 ideas around making your nonfiction interesting.

The poet, essayist, and critic Elisa Gabbert offers 30 ideas around making your nonfiction interesting.

Deafheaven, billy woods, Fcukers, and more to play Basilica Soundscape 2025 The festival, which will take place September 19-20 in Hudson, NY, features billy woods, Deafheaven, Fcukers, Ho99o99, and more.

Deafheaven, billy woods, Fcukers, and more to play Basilica Soundscape 2025

Podcaster and radio producer Erica Heilman on the value of not knowing – The Creative Independent Podcaster and radio producer Erica Heilman discusses loving strangers, relinquishing control, the substance of silence, and building bridges into people’s lives.

Thank you Fez Gielen and @thecreativeindependent.com for this excellent interview. It included all the stuff that’s important to me. I appreciate it. thecreativeindependent.com/people/podca...

The Creative Independent (limited final edition) t-shirt A long sleeve TCI t-shirt in a final edition of 50. The design is full of snails, spirals, the words of Julia Cameron and Laurel Schwulst, and other TCI easter eggs.

We have some TCI t-shirts available, in a final edition of 50. I thought these were all gone, but found a box in storage. Once they're gone, they're gone. Appreciate the help on getting them out into the world, @metalabel.bsky.social.

tci.metalabel.com/finalshirt?v...

Deafheaven, billy woods, Fcukers, and more are playing this year's edition of Basilica Soundscape www.brooklynvegan.com/deafheaven-b...

A purplish flier with white overlay font. Basillica Soundscape 2025, a weekend of art and music sept 19 and 20. Hudson NY. Early bird weekend pass available until june 19.

Early bird tix for Basilica Hudson’s Soundscape are available until 6/19. First wave of announcements includes Deafheaven, billy woods, Fcukers and more!
#livemusic #hudsonvalley #concerts

Author and literary agent Kate McKean on feeling energized by rejection – The Creative Independent Author and literary agent Kate McKean discusses switching between professional hats, trying again and again while knowing that she might fail, and keeping her eyes on her own page.

Had such a great interview with @katemckean.bsky.social abut juggling agenting with writing her own work, ahead of the publication of her book next week thecreativeindependent.com/people/autho... via @thecreativeindependent.com

Comedian and artist Jasmine Rogers on seizing the creative moment – The Creative Independent Comedian and artist Jasmine Rogers discusses always having a project, pivoting to something new, and following your joy.

I interviewed Jasmine Rogers, a very funny (and very wise) comedian, today at TCI. I'd gone to see my brother in Boise, saw her comedy set, too, and was blown away. Very smart, very on it. She has so much great stuff to say here... Sign her up SNL.

thecreativeindependent.com/people/comed...

i somehow tagged jenn wrong, so... @jennpelly.bsky.social

Waxahatchee: She Lives for the Sake of the Song

this piece by old friend jenn pelly (‪@jennpelly.bsky.social‬) about waxahatchee is so great. ambitious and detailed, heartbreaking and life-affirming, personal and universal--it feels like one of my favorite 90s zines, or something, and it could be a book. oxfordamerican.org/oa-now/on-th...

these will go out soon. i just carried the box to the post office, and they'll be to the distro center shortly.