Nan’s Notebook
East Coast USA
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Wanted: Ink Drinkers
New indie author N.G. Swett from the Outer Lands Archipelago, east coast USA, puts the reader right in the action as co-pilot to the Clerk and a leading protagonist. This blog post lists this and more than a dozen other things the author did in the new illustrated novel “The Clerk and the Ink Drinker in the Outer Lands Mission” to help the reader and writer to complete the mission.
Author seeks adventurous readers for new indie novel
A new 2026 release novel from a self-published new author challenges readers to try something different, rewarding those who complete “the mission.”
“The Clerk and the Ink Drinker in the Outer Lands Mission” (ISBN: 979-8-9893342-3-0) is an illustrated paperback novel by N.G. Swett published as part of the 4seasonshelf Project.
“At the heart of my novel is a vulnerable, child-like tale, but it’s wrapped in what IndieReader calls ‘an apocalyptic adventure,’ ” said N.G. Swett, author of The Clerk and the Ink Drinker in the Outer Lands Mission.
The novel recognizes the key role the reader plays in the creative process, recruiting the reader early in the book as the “Ink Drinker” named in the book’s title. “I basically pull up on readers and tell them to get in. We go on an important adventure, and I try to not leave anyone behind,” said Swett.
Readers take a scenic off-road trip with a mission. “Readers as a group are open minded and brave, and I’m happy to report that many early readers got the assignment and completed the mission with flying colors. The worldwide league of Ink Drinkers is off to a good start!”
15 novel features for readers
In the decade it took the author to write, edit, illustrate, design and publish the novel, Swett crafted a unique reading experience for today’s readers by:
giving the reader a main character role as the Ink Drinker, and successful completion of the book equals successful completion of the mission
using present tense so that action unfolds as the reader reads, adding to the sense of adventure
using gender neutral language for the Clerk and the Ink Drinker to help all genders relate to the main characters and connect beyond gender
drawing a map
literally painting a picture with a series of graphics and acrylic paintings depicting scenes from the novel and adding them to the book
using a classic modernist style with simple language, short paragraphs, short chapters, and four seasonal parts
using large print, which is easier to read but also eases and enchants the reader as a book of fairytales would
deciding to launch the novel in full color illustrated paperback format only (no ebook, hard cover or audio) for a digital detox, analog, personal, tangible experience in real life
keeping the action moving through memorable characters
using within the plot a “gamelit RPG” point system, like a contemporary virtual game, to highlight a sci-fi reality and contemporary timeline of the novel for intergenerational adult readers of all ages
interacting with the reader within the story, expressing gratitude, and adding a plan for how and where to meet back up if separated
giving each chapter a title that hints at its contents and including a table of contents
offering a signed, stamped first edition through the 4seasonshelf.com website (USA only) to establish a direct connection between the writer and the reader, ensure authenticity, and enhance collectible value
publishing the book through Ingram Spark for worldwide distribution, including to libraries and independent booksellers, to give readers a sense of worldwide membership in a growing league of Ink Drinkers
keeping the novel’s digital files away from bots and thieves trolling the internet, thereby preserving the novel for the benefit of the author and the reader and not undercutting the vital creative spirit of civilization
Bonus: offering a free list of 20+ Book Discussion Questions (spoilers alert!!) to get readers talking and thinking about the novel
Please allow 2-4 weeks for delivery.
Written and Illustrated by N.G. Swett
Illustrated Paperback
Copyright 2026 by N.G. Swett
292 pages
First Edition
Where / What is the Outer Lands Archipelago?
The Outer Lands Archipelago along the American east coast is an inspiration for author and painter N.G. Swett. The islands, which include Long Island, Block Island, Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, Cape Cod, New York City and many others, share a unique ecology, history and economy. In this blog post you can find a Google map, an excellent book, and examples of creative works by N.G. Swett including a short video of the Outer Lands beach and surf, and the illustrated novel ‘The Clerk and the Ink Drinker in the Outer Lands Mission’.
The spirit of these great primordial islands, which so many have felt, also shapes the 4seasonshelf Project
4.75×3” oval sticker
Black & white
Mailed in protective cello wrapper
Original graphic design for the 4seasonshelf Project by N.G. Swett
Authentic - stamped with artist seal
Author and painter N.G. Swett lives in the Outer Lands Archipelago, the string of islands along the American east coast including Cape Cod, Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, Block Island, Long Island, New York City and many more. The archipelago’s spirit, beauty and challenges sets the scene for Swett’s 4seasonshelf Project.
Many say the special lighting of these islands, its four season climate, beautiful beaches, and the sheer scale and drama of the skies give the archipelago a special potency in the dream realm. More than a backdrop, author N.G. Swett says the islands are alive with the invisible forces of the universe. Have you felt it?
The Natural History of the Outer Lands Archipelago, east coast, USA
”No continent is entire of itself,” begins the preface to The Outer Lands: A Natural History Guide To Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, Block Island and Long Island by Dorothy Sterling. “Between the Atlantic Ocean and the rocky rim of New England lies a chain of islands and a peninsula. Long Island points northeast across open stretches of water to Block Island, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket and the flexed arm of Cape Cod. Isolated by the awesome processes of the earth’s evolution, these sandy, windswept outlands are the remnants of an ancient coastline.”
Wonderful book on the subject:
The Outer Lands by Dorothy Sterling and illustrated by Winifred Lubell
This richly illustrated and well written book details the natural history of the Outer Lands Archipelago. It can be found in the collections of most libraries in the Archipelago!
Author Endows Archipelago with Special Powers
To its natural history, author N.G. Swett has added a spiritual dimension to the archipelago, giving it the power to enchant and transform, in her new illustrated novel The Clerk and the Ink Drinker in the Outer Lands Mission.
More About the Outer Lands Archipelago
Please allow 2-4 weeks for delivery.
Written and Illustrated by N.G. Swett
Illustrated Paperback
Copyright 2026 by N.G. Swett
292 pages
First Edition
New release novel: cover reveal, unboxing and book signing
Nan is surprised to find she hasn't mentioned her novel much on the blog, though she's been working on it almost a decade. Ready or not, it's coming out soon, and we need to get caught up here. See the video playlist on YouTube featuring the cover reveal, book unboxing and book signing author rituals for “The Clerk and the Ink Drinker in the Outer Lands Mission” by N. G. Swett.
Three author rituals —DONE! — for “The Clerk and the Ink Drinker in the Outer Lands Mission” by N.G. Swett
It surprises me to find that I haven't said much here on this blog about my biggest, longest running project: my novel! I've been working quietly on it for a decade. It's coming out now, ready or not.
You know and I know what authors do when there’s a new book to launch. There are three main rituals:
the cover reveal
the unboxing
the book signing
I performed these virtually and posted the videos (see below).
Thank you to friends and family who helped with the cover design, it made a HUGE difference.
“More Babies!” — video with short rhyming poem, artwork
by New York poet NG Swett
Just a quick video post today, including a couple of extra pieces of material:
notes about the substance of the poem
when and how I wrote it
creating and posting the video
The substance of the poem
The billionaires, plutocrats, oligarchs — some are calling for more babies.
Women should have more babies, some say. Women shouldn’t be able to end a pregnancy under any circumstances, some say. Life is too… precious!
Over a lifetime, families can easily shell out hundreds of thousands of dollars per person for taxes, health care, child care, education, shelter, food, transportation, weddings, and finally assisted living. The willingness to pay is only limited by our means. The value of a statistical life was estimated at $7.5 million in 2020 according to FEMA. Oh how the shareholders must drool at a number like that!
Other happy civilized countries don’t have things set up this way. Every heartstring we have is tapped for all it’s worth. Every fear stoked for our last dime.
There’s pushback on social media to this idea of women as livestock, especially among women. But the good news for the owner class is that they can mute ‘em with algorithms. (Studies show that social media is terrible for women’s mental health, especially secular liberals.)
Scientists proved that the human race is stripping the planet of resources, causing mass extinction, and polluting it to the brink of extinction. So do we really need more people? Or should we get our house in order first?
Writing the poem
So this all tickled my funny bone a little, so I jotted down this little rhyming poem in a big black journal that I’ve been using lately for sketching and writing.
To illustrate the poem, I pulled up a painting I did some time ago of a made-up plutocrat, “One.” It’s from a series of mini acrylic paintings I made as art therapy to get me through writing and editing my first novel — a very, very challenging project! The paintings are all illustrations from scenes of the novel.
In the painting, One lounges god-like across a royal-looking chair in front of a glass window at night. You can see a bridge lit up behind him. The rug under his shiny black boots is a rough map of the Outer Lands Archipelago.
Making the videos
I made a short video in two formats, wide and vertical mobile. I added two audio tracks, one with the sound of a typewriter and another with the sound of an eerie lullaby…
I’m placing the wide format video here on 4seasonshelf.com first.
Then they will go on the billionaires’ platforms…
Poetry of Love?
Nan writes about publishing a book of love poems, from original inception to international distribution through print on demand platforms. Topics include why write a book of poems, how to create it, publishing platforms, costs, ISBNs, universal book links, Canva, Amazon, Ingram Spark, Draft2Digital, Books2Read, social media, and book promotion.
TikTok video of Stolen Moment, one of the first poems
in the poetry collection Hold Me Tight.
Why A Poem?
At our wedding, our best man advised us to follow the KISS principle: keep it simple stupid — the shortest speech in the history of weddings. Now that we’ve had a lot of time to think about it, that was darn good advice for a twenty-something guy to give.
And now, what could be simpler than a poem?
And did you know, poetry is alive and well? So I thought I’d give it the old college girl try.
Immediately yes! I loved it. I’m a pen and paper note taker, a list writer, a scrapper, a note hoarder.
Labor of Love
This little poetry collection took six months to write and publish. It’s been a labor of love! The main investment was my time and focus.
Cover reveal
So here is the final cover:
Going Wide, Going Global
The book is available in the United States and around the world.
Final Thoughts for Today
I’ve learned so much, and there’s still a lot to learn.
Writing a love poem can lead to the permanent existence of a book of love poems for posterity, what’s left of it.
Please allow 2-4 weeks for delivery.
Written and Illustrated by N.G. Swett
Illustrated Paperback
Copyright 2026 by N.G. Swett
292 pages
First Edition