Storycomic Weekly Newsletter: October 11th
ALWAYS POSTED A WEEK EARLIER ON PATREON
A Memoir That’s More Than a Memoir: A Conversation with Nancy Levine and Rachel Levine-Spates
On this week’s episode of Storycomic Presents, I had the privilege of welcoming back not just one powerful voice—but two. Nancy Levine and her daughter Rachel Levine-Spates joined me to talk about their co-authored memoir, Light, recently released through Rootstock Publishing.
What makes Light so unique is how it braids together Nancy’s voice as a mother with Rachel’s journal entries from her battle with an eating disorder. The result is a deeply moving and honest portrait of a family in crisis—one that doesn’t flinch from the pain, but also never loses sight of love or hope.
During our interview, Rachel reflected on how it felt to revisit her younger self on the page, while Nancy talked about the fine balance between storytelling and safeguarding her daughter’s truth. The conversation is at once emotional, raw, and inspiring—proof that vulnerability can be a source of connection, not just discomfort.
If you’ve ever wondered what healing looks like from the inside out—or how writing can bring people back together—this episode is for you.
Watch or listen now, and get the book here: https://www.rootstockpublishing.com/rootstock-books/p/light
Keeping Rivers Flowing: Nadine Budbill and the Legacy of David Budbill
David Budbill’s writing was steeped in the mountains, the small towns, and the everyday lives of Vermont. After his passing in 2016, his daughter Nadine Budbill has taken on the sacred role of literary executor, preserving and promoting his voluminous work—from powerful poems and essays to plays and beloved rural fiction.
On Storycomic Presents, Nadine shares what it means to steward a father’s creative legacy: selecting new editions, hosting readings, and bringing his voice to contemporary audiences. She’ll take us behind the scenes of the revised edition of Judevine: A Love Song for a Place & Its People, and talk about upcoming public talks (like the August 2025 event in Brownington) that introduce David’s work anew. Rootstock Publishing
This interview isn’t just about honoring a writer—it’s about making sure timeless words continue to breathe, resonate, and inspire. For anyone who cares about poetry, memory, or how we pass stories between generations, Nadine’s experience offers insight, emotion, and respect for a life in letters.
Project Update: Slow but Steady Momentum
Progress on my projects has been moving at a slower pace lately, but it’s still moving forward—and that’s what counts. I’ve been continuing to develop ideas and refine some of the world-building for Appliance, inching closer to where I want everything to be.
It’s one of those stretches where the work isn’t fast or flashy, but each small adjustment helps solidify the bigger picture. Even with everything else going on, I’m glad to see steady momentum, however gradual. Sometimes the quiet weeks are the ones where the best ideas simmer in the background.
Book Review: My, Oh My—A Butterfly! – Fluttering Fun and Learning with My 5-Year-Old
This week, I read My, Oh My—A Butterfly! by Tish Rabe with my 5-year-old, and it was an absolute hit! There’s something magical about finding a book that makes learning fun, and this one does exactly that. Written in the playful rhyming style of Dr. Seuss, it’s both educational and entertaining—a perfect combo for curious little readers (and their parents).
The story follows the Cat in the Hat as he takes kids on a colorful adventure through the world of butterflies—covering everything from caterpillars and cocoons to migration and metamorphosis. The rhymes make the science easy to follow, and my 5-year-old was completely hooked, especially during the parts about how caterpillars change into butterflies.
The illustrations by Aristides Ruiz and Joe Mathieu are bright and full of movement, perfectly matching the rhythm and excitement of the text. We stopped on nearly every page to look closer at the butterflies and talk about what was happening. It’s always fun when a book becomes both a story and a mini science lesson without feeling like one.
Reading My, Oh My—A Butterfly! together was a reminder of how wonderful it is to explore nature through stories. My 5-year-old loved it, and I have to admit—I did too. It’s a book that’s equal parts learning and laughter, and one that’s sure to flutter its way into our regular reading rotation.
Personal Update: Full Days, Fall Colors, and Firsts
This past week was a full one in the best kind of way. We’ve been putting in extra effort to line up more sponsors for the upcoming basketball season and to start prepping for our holiday greetings. It’s a busy stretch, but there’s something exciting about seeing the pieces start to come together as we head toward the end of the year.
Saturday was a standout day—we had the Fall Foliage Festival, and I took the kids along with me. We spent the whole day there, enjoying the crisp air, good food, and that unmistakable small-town autumn charm. It was one of those days that felt packed from start to finish, but in the most satisfying way.
On top of that, I got to do something new—I wrote my very first feature article, reporting on the festival’s events! It was a long day of both fun and work, but I loved every minute of it. There’s a different kind of pride in seeing your own byline in print, especially when it’s about something that celebrates the community you love.
Have the bags and ready to get the candy at the parade
The Famous Chicken Pie Supper!
🎙️ Been Here. Still Awesome. Still Limited. 🎨📚🎲
For a while now, we’ve been offering a tried-and-true promotional opportunity through the Storycomic Patreon—and if you’re an independent creative, it’s still one of the best ways to sustainably share your work and grow your audience.
Here’s what our Patreon members have been benefiting from:
✅ Permanent Promotion
Your website or project link is featured in the show notes of all podcast episodes for as long as you're a patron. That’s long-term visibility across every platform where our show is streamed.
🏆 Founders Club Access
The Founders Club remains limited to just 15 spots. No expansions, no waiting list—once it’s full, that’s it. These early supporters have their names (and links) locked into the Storycomic platform.
📢 Monthly Promotion at the Super Club Level
At the Super Club tier, members receive a minimum of one promotional post per month—whether it's a new release, project update, or spotlight on their creative work.
Founders Club patrons include amazing creators like:
Michael Winn, Higgins802, Von Allan, Stephanie Nina Pitsirilos, Marek Bennett, Donna Carr Roberts, Andrew Gronosky, Simki Kuznick, and Matt & Therese.
Explore their work:
🎯 If you're a creator—author, game designer, comic artist—this is your signal. This system is working. Don't wait until the last spot is gone.
Let’s keep building the kind of community that lifts each other up.
—Barney Smith