My friends, my lovely subscribers, all you magic humans that have joined this Signal Fire, this community of Light Chasers scattered across a planet…I love you. All. One year ago on Monday (the 25th) I sent out what would become my first official post on this here Signal Fire, and I asked you all to take a chance on stepping a bit away from social media, and into this space. I wanted something more intimate, I wanted some place WE control, not some algorithm, and now, a year later, what we have is so much more beautiful than I could have ever imagined. The free subscription list has grown, and continues to grow, and for that I am eternally thankful. Twice a week I send out my photography, and my words, and to see how far it’s reaching, far away from all things Facebook has created, is humbling, and I feel so very lucky.
Those of you who have hopped behind the paywall, I don’t have the words to express how grateful I am, and will always be that you trust me with your money each month. I’ve always dreamed of creating art, of sharing my words and trying to make a living as a strange man with autism who loves poetry, and slowly, magnificently, you are all making that dream a reality. For nearly 12 years I gave all my art away, and was one of many who made Instagram very, very, wealthy. To know that you all value me enough to help me out each month, that you’re willing to support the work I make, means more than I know to say thank you for. So again, I love you, so much. In honor of that, and in honor of a new year beginning, I want to offer more up to all of you who pay each month, or who are about to (hopefully!) renew your subscriptions. I want to give more back, and so, I have some really fun extras that I will message you privately about soon. In the meantime, for you, and for all you free signups, I have just one more question I want to revisit as I want this place to be as special as possible, and I believe in listening to the experts…You.
In the simplest terms…What can I do to make this place better? What would you like to see, to hear, to participate in? What would you like to wake up to, what would make this a more meaningful community? If you’re a free signup, what would be the incentive that would make you want to join all of us in our Writing Prompts, our Discussions, our threads, our conversations, but mostly, our Familythat we’ve been creating?
Sound off, please, share with me your thoughts. This discussion thread is open to you all, and I would love to hear. I’ll be sticking with the bones of this Signal Fire as the way forward, the bi-weekly posts, but I would just love to hear your brainstorms about what would make this magical little corner of the internets more meaningful.
Thank you, for being here this year, thank you for supporting me, thank you for creating such a beautiful place. For those who DO want to join us and become supporters, the little button is below. Whatever you choose, know how valued you are.
Your words have amazed me for 10 years. You dig into places most fear to go. Thank you for sharing your life, your heart, and your woes. You are transparent, real, and gentle. Please continue to do what you do. I have not seen the Haiku lately, would like those daily messages again. God Bless you and your family, and continue to do your magic with words!
I know you low-key/ not-so-low-key hate the videos you just started doing on FaceySpace, but they're so compelling! So, anyone not seeing them on social would likely love them in your bi-weekly posts. That's it. You're brilliant and lovely and inspiring -- and I'm so grateful that you and yours share your lives here, there, and everywhere. xo
I’m already part of the paid community and will continue to be. It is an honor to support your art because your words have supported so many of us through so many things in life. 🖤
It's been a year already?! WOW! This has definitely made my life more meaningful and enjoyable the past year. Some weeks, your emails and this community were what kept me going. What gave me hope. To feel seen and heard and know I'm not alone has been invaluable. I will happily keep paying to be part of this beautiful little family you've created. I can't imagine my life now without this group. Thank you a million times over for everything that you've done and provided for us. Can't wait to see what the next year brings.
Your art provokes thought and feels like an invitation to turn inwards to explore, and that is priceless to me. I must admit, I do not prioritise time to write on Wednesday's, even though on the couple of occasions I have, it's truly helped me move and heal a little more through the things. I love handwriting and I also like reducing my screen time - so I feel like it would be cool to have the option to upload a picture of our writing's on Wednesday's (apologies if this is already a function!). If not, well hey, I've just given myself a solution (write it and then type it), which may help me prioritise it more in my week!
I like the 'song of the day' too - would love a thread on that for the community to contribute to.
Hi Tyler! I’ve been a follower for years and that’s not about to change any time soon! Happy to be, and remain, a subscriber and support you and your art in any ways possible. Your poetry is my favorite, but I also love hearing about what inspires you - maybe a book or poetry club to talk about other work we love together. Maybe giveaways for top participants in the community (send a haiku or just one of your beautiful photographs). Maybe virtual poetry readings that end with a discussion with you - just throwing some ideas out. being able to open an email and be comforted by your words is really what keeps me coming back tho. appreciate your willingness to grow this and keep us engaged. you’re the best ♥️
Tough to start an online community from scratch, but I think you're handling it with grace! One quite tiny detail is that sometimes the weekly writing prompt or discussion thread emails come through without a direct link to the post, and it always takes me a few frustrating clicks to find my way there. So a direct link in the email would be helpful or if the other Chasers have a handy trick they could share?
I jumped at the chance to support you and your work a year ago and will continue to do so. Because, so often, your perspective allows me to see the world, and my place in it, from such a different point of view. And there are no words for how grateful I am for that perspective. For how many times, in the many years since I first found you, that that perspective has saved me. Shown me the way to my own shifts and vision. Opened the doors joy and peace and so much beauty. Thank you. <3
I am not a big social media person. I was born in the sixties and to be honest, half the time I don't understand what I should be doing to respond to the invitations I receive from you by email, yet I am grateful to receive them and your words and images and earnest thoughtfulness and playful meanderings enrich my life. Soon I will be diving into miracle in the mundane, as I have a read-a-poem-a-day practice. I love the new recorded offerings, its great to hear your voice and brings your humor even more alive. The way you stay dedicated to your unique creativity is what inspires me most and I am exceedingly happy to support that. I work full time on a modest salary and I am single mom to two adult kids with life limiting behavioral health conditions, so I don't have a lot of room for my own creativity (yet, she said hopefully). To witness your craft - how you keep in touch with your inspiration, and make relevant offerings from that fire for all of us, gives me hope. Thank you for the gift of you.
There aren’t many things I care enough about to pay for but your words make my very short list. The amount of joy and I love I get from your poetry tells me a lot.
I’ve not been super active here because I’m in nursing school but I look forward to the emails every day ❤️ I got a subscription last year as a “get through your first semester of nursing school” gift to myself 🤣
Your words have amazed me for 10 years. You dig into places most fear to go. Thank you for sharing your life, your heart, and your woes. You are transparent, real, and gentle. Please continue to do what you do. I have not seen the Haiku lately, would like those daily messages again. God Bless you and your family, and continue to do your magic with words!
I know you low-key/ not-so-low-key hate the videos you just started doing on FaceySpace, but they're so compelling! So, anyone not seeing them on social would likely love them in your bi-weekly posts. That's it. You're brilliant and lovely and inspiring -- and I'm so grateful that you and yours share your lives here, there, and everywhere. xo
I’m already part of the paid community and will continue to be. It is an honor to support your art because your words have supported so many of us through so many things in life. 🖤
It's been a year already?! WOW! This has definitely made my life more meaningful and enjoyable the past year. Some weeks, your emails and this community were what kept me going. What gave me hope. To feel seen and heard and know I'm not alone has been invaluable. I will happily keep paying to be part of this beautiful little family you've created. I can't imagine my life now without this group. Thank you a million times over for everything that you've done and provided for us. Can't wait to see what the next year brings.
Your art provokes thought and feels like an invitation to turn inwards to explore, and that is priceless to me. I must admit, I do not prioritise time to write on Wednesday's, even though on the couple of occasions I have, it's truly helped me move and heal a little more through the things. I love handwriting and I also like reducing my screen time - so I feel like it would be cool to have the option to upload a picture of our writing's on Wednesday's (apologies if this is already a function!). If not, well hey, I've just given myself a solution (write it and then type it), which may help me prioritise it more in my week!
I like the 'song of the day' too - would love a thread on that for the community to contribute to.
Hi Tyler! I’ve been a follower for years and that’s not about to change any time soon! Happy to be, and remain, a subscriber and support you and your art in any ways possible. Your poetry is my favorite, but I also love hearing about what inspires you - maybe a book or poetry club to talk about other work we love together. Maybe giveaways for top participants in the community (send a haiku or just one of your beautiful photographs). Maybe virtual poetry readings that end with a discussion with you - just throwing some ideas out. being able to open an email and be comforted by your words is really what keeps me coming back tho. appreciate your willingness to grow this and keep us engaged. you’re the best ♥️
Tough to start an online community from scratch, but I think you're handling it with grace! One quite tiny detail is that sometimes the weekly writing prompt or discussion thread emails come through without a direct link to the post, and it always takes me a few frustrating clicks to find my way there. So a direct link in the email would be helpful or if the other Chasers have a handy trick they could share?
I jumped at the chance to support you and your work a year ago and will continue to do so. Because, so often, your perspective allows me to see the world, and my place in it, from such a different point of view. And there are no words for how grateful I am for that perspective. For how many times, in the many years since I first found you, that that perspective has saved me. Shown me the way to my own shifts and vision. Opened the doors joy and peace and so much beauty. Thank you. <3
I am not a big social media person. I was born in the sixties and to be honest, half the time I don't understand what I should be doing to respond to the invitations I receive from you by email, yet I am grateful to receive them and your words and images and earnest thoughtfulness and playful meanderings enrich my life. Soon I will be diving into miracle in the mundane, as I have a read-a-poem-a-day practice. I love the new recorded offerings, its great to hear your voice and brings your humor even more alive. The way you stay dedicated to your unique creativity is what inspires me most and I am exceedingly happy to support that. I work full time on a modest salary and I am single mom to two adult kids with life limiting behavioral health conditions, so I don't have a lot of room for my own creativity (yet, she said hopefully). To witness your craft - how you keep in touch with your inspiration, and make relevant offerings from that fire for all of us, gives me hope. Thank you for the gift of you.
There aren’t many things I care enough about to pay for but your words make my very short list. The amount of joy and I love I get from your poetry tells me a lot.
I’ve not been super active here because I’m in nursing school but I look forward to the emails every day ❤️ I got a subscription last year as a “get through your first semester of nursing school” gift to myself 🤣