Two midweek things: A deadline tomorrow + summer reading for Gaza

Julia Smith

30 Jul 2025 — 1 min read

Item 1. Book auction

To raise survival funds for two families in Gaza, Bianca Mabute-Louie and several other writers are auctioning off signed copies of their books on Instagram this week. ➡️ Check out these IG posts and, if you're able, follow the instructions in the slideshows to bid by Friday at 6pm Pacific/9pm Eastern time:

Salt Fat Acid Heat AND/OR the forthcoming GOOD THINGS by Samin Nosrat
Love in a F*cked Up World by Dean Spade (author of Mutual Aid)
Essential Labor by Andrea Garbes

And more.

Item 2. Want to be a hotline text volunteer for folks seeking abortions?

I just learned that Exhale Pro-Voice is recruiting peer counselors. These folks receive lots of training and make a minimum one year commitment. ➡️ Apply by tomorrow (Thursday, July 31) if you're interested!

A spider doing it's thing at the center of an elaborate web that's attached to a thin but strong twig, all in brilliant golden light

Friday's one thing: Complex + simple

Weekend wish: Here's a recent pep talk from Ash-Lee Woodard Henderson that I found grounding. I added a little bit of bold emphasis to help folks skim. You can find and share it on Bluesky, on Facebook, on Instagram, on LinkedIn. Follow and share Ash-Lee on your platform

Wednesday's one thing: "A bigger we."

Chicago-based writer and trainer (and really great friend) LaTanya Lane wrote this poem. If you're in Chicago, you might see a version around town with "ICE" in place of "authoritarians." P.S. You're not imagining things; I took a hiatus from posting

Quote graphic that reads IF YOU'RE WRITING LETTERS TO THE PRISONERS START TEARING DOWN THE BARS. IF YOU'RE HANDING OUT FLASHLIGHTS IN THE DARK START HANDING OUT STARS.

Monday's 3+ things: Say yes.

Item 1. Gaza Can you help a malnourished, orphaned, 18 year old mom? ➡️ Contribute $ toward formula and diapers for her infant (Chuffed, via Joanna E.) No cash to spare? ➡️ Call your reps using the latest script from 5Calls. The phone app makes it very easy. Want to be able to

Graphic that reads "Act like we might have a chance to stop this. - Margaret Killjoy" against a background photo of trees against a blue sky

Today's one thing: "And we're expected to get up in the morning and go to work."

Item 1 How to Live Like the World is Ending, by Margaret Killjoy.