Field Notes #3

From the desk of Ana-Maria, Earthborn's Editor in Chief

It’s been a little while since I’ve updated you on the first volume of Earthborn Magazine, and much has happened since. These field notes are the behind the scenes of bringing together an indie magazine, and I hope you enjoy the sneak peek.

My last field notes were a little over a month ago and in that time, I’ve been enjoying every contributor’s submission. Through this process, I got to know many of them a little better, and I could not have asked for a better group of humans to get together and make the first issues of Earthborn Magazine special.

That was the fun part. The part that I wish I did not have to share is that I almost delayed the launch. February hit me hard with two separate colds that had me running at half speed. I decided a long time ago I would prioritize rest, but this lingered for so long that I was walking on the uncomfortable line of running out of rest time to allow myself and still move my goals forward.

And so it was a mad dash to the finish line to work on the design of the magazine. That part was creative and fun, but it did take triple the amount of time I thought it would. To say I was not nervous I would make it is an understatement.

As it stands, I printed it off and I am going through the physical version making design notes and later this week I’ll be adding the finishing touches so that the digital version will be ready on Saturday!

I was sharing the news with our contributors, and a few were delighted a print edition will also be available. It won’t be ready this Saturday, but the pre-order window will open for the print edition, and it will be ready to ship in the next 6-8 weeks. This means you can enjoy the digital version now while you wait for your keepsake print edition.

The vision is to create the kind of magazine you leave on your coffee table, within hand’s reach. The kind you pick up on cozy mornings or when your nervous system desperately needs an exhale. The kind that feels as beautiful in your hands as it does in your mind.

Each page is thoughtfully designed with spaciousness. Generous white space invites you to pause, underline, jot notes in the margins, and reflect in your own words. It is not busy with ads or with hype designed to distract you.

The theme is initiation and you can expect to be transported into the exploration of what this means for you.

It’s surreal arriving at this moment. Let me tell you a little bit about why.

Last summer, I was at work at Hasmark Publishing hosting a retreat on the most beautiful lavender farm with our team and authors who joined us. After everyone had a turn, moving through the ritual, in the most circular leadership example I’ve witnessed in real time, I was lovingly coaxed to give it a go. When it came time to bury what was holding me back, I decided to let go of this idea: I cannot finish projects I start if they are for my own happiness, joy and passions. After dirt was placed on that piece of paper along with rocks, one participant placed a flower instead. It was game over in that moment.

I broke down crying hard when I realized I never complete projects for myself because I am not deserving of the dedication, love and care that go into something like this. Once that wave of awareness came, it was like an avalanche of ugly crying leaving me hanging on tight to our loving guest Jeff Orr who happens to be an impeccable space holder and moves folks through grief for a living. I should have told you I get to work with some incredible people, and in that moment, he had my back. I still have his flower to this day.

Now you see how important it was for me to bring Earthborn Magazine to completion. It was my initiation into active participation in shaping what comes next. It felt more important than ever to take this step. To feel the discomfort buzzing through the layers of my body. To feel the waves of the fear of failure and let them keep on flowing. And to be comfortable not exactly knowing what will come of this endeavour. More than ever, I am convinced each and everyone one of us is called into active participation in shaping our world in whatever way is available to us.

Earthborn is my offering. It’s me extending my hand to yours as we look at these changing times in the face and have the courage to explore different ways societies can organize themselves.

The first theme is Initiation. Each and every contributor had faced their own. They never told me with these words, but you can tell from the depth of their poetry or from the fire in their essays. These souls were brave enough to enter the uncertain and unknown territory of letting their gifts flow into the world and participate in the best way they know how.

I cannot wait for you to meet them through their writing, both inside Earthborn and out in the world.

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Next issue is available March 21 2026.

xo,

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