Chloe was the first writer on Substack where I realized this was a platform for exceptional talent. This was still back in the day when it felt like there would be a Death & Birds around every corner.
Of course, there wasn't a Death & Birds around every corner. There is wonderful writing everywhere, inventive minds, humor, insight, but there is very little at the level of Chloe's. For me personally, I can count them on two hands. Given that she was the first, she is my right-hand thumb!
Much is made of the glinting light in Chloe's work. Not enough is made, I feel, of the darker waters in. They struck me then. They strike me now. Who would put the word "Death" in their title, focus on it, dare the readers to pay attention. You have to think of the courage to start there, with zero subscribers, betting the house on the approach. There's light, there's darkness, and there's courage. I'll take all three. And so will everybody else it has proven. She will be discovered and reread for years.
At one point I dubbed her the Patron Saint of Substack. She remains so. I'm privileged to share her work and, more importantly, to call her a friend. Thanks, Chloe for what you have created here. ðïļðŠĶ
I think that overwhelm you speak of Chloe is of your own making. Remember that gossamer web you wrote of in your last post? You spun it, and now we're all overwhelmed and tangled up in it.
Thank you for being the words for all of us. If there's another saint in the Substack Heavens (see my comment elsewhere here,) then it's you, Kimberly Warner.
It's an ongoing endeavour, but I swear the more that I keep at it the more I hear that resounding YES echoing back at me from 'out there'. It's the sweetest and most mysterious dialogue. And it's a joy to be in the conversation with you, love.
Kim and Adam both, my adoration for you knows no bounds. Being 'in the world' in this outward facing way feels clunky and weird and uncomfortable (though, less and less so as time goes on), and having your kindness and support and belief in whatever the hell it is I'm doing with Death & Birds makes it not only bearable, but entirely worth it. I love you, both. Thank you.
And, if I am what passes for a Saint, we may be in even deeper trouble than I thought ð
Best Words, best order ; when I think about it, Adam lights the symbolic beacon fire calling together all readers. Sharing his Substack space with us to nominate a wonderful writer, a quote that moves us. And finally the writer is asked to stand and humbly take their bow, invited to take center stage to read the excerpt nominated . What a beautiful chain reaction. Thank you , Adam.
This is deeply appreciated. My vision for this is starting to take shape. I love writers reading their work, and that is where I thought this would have its greatest value, but unexpectedly the real value might be honoring the brave and talented. To honor others is one of the great human gifts: it moves the giver and the recipient both. That's the point here. It's a "feel something" that has as little to do with me as possible.
I'm trying to create a place where a writer can wake up one morning, see their work celebrated, and then read something surprise and glowing about what they've accomplished. There's not enough of this, and we all deserve to have something recorded that "gets us." (we are writers, after all. we move and ar moved by them.) My hope is that is created here is held close to heart when doubts rage. I suspect it is doing that already.
All of which to say, Lor, is that you have just honored me in your comment above. Thank you.
Once you are past the last sparks of your hangover ,and your feet stop thinking theyâre still dancing, Iâm thinking about posting part of your reply to me as an intro to a restack. Unless you think it better if it comes directly from you, which works for me.
Before I post, re-read the sentence or sentences in parentheses) ;There's not enough of this, and we all deserve to have something recorded that "gets us." (we are writers, after all. we move and ar moved by them.)
Yes Kimberly, I agree, this one. When Adam put the call out for nominations, back in September, I scrolled through her incredible work to search for this one particular quote. I too nominated Chloe for the same paragraph. If you donât mind, I will include the last three lines of Chloeâs post, nesting. For me , it has been added to my master script on the art of living.
I fell in love with nebulas as child. Hanging magazine cutouts on my bedroom wall, yes, my mom allowed me to â ruinâ ( her word) one wall in my bedroom. I think a nebula would do nicely . Something like the Butterfly Nebula . I think youâll agree, a very appropriate quote from Carl Sagan;
â We are like butterflies who flutter for a day and think it is forever."
Even less than a butterfly. We are riding a butterfly's wing, soaring sometimes, hanging on for dear life at others, reminding each other to look up to see what carries us.
(As I'm launching myself off the trampoline right now, I wish to point out that I partied, sang, danced rather, um, intensely, last night and everything is coming out a little charged. It may, in fact, be that we're only wings and not riding them. I'll check in again when this weepy-hangover settles.)
There's a wonderful synapse-overlap happening over here the last 24 hours Lor. I spent a better part of last night and this morning thinking about nebulasâand am just now reading your commentâhow important their imagery has been to me and my own inner cultivation of stillness. (Which ironically happened first by me projecting my imagination a gazillion miles away from my inner experience.) But meditating on those images, their impossible silence and stillness, helped me eventually find their microcosmic version within myself. I'm in love with your childhood wallpaper.
I think the overlap is still continuing in these threads. Oh I know, letâs all meet for lunch,there might possibly be an electric current still happening when we get there, weâll have to be extra cautious on the initial meet and greet, a bit of a shock passed with a handshake or a hug. I know a great sushi placeðą
Each day is a gift to learn more of the beauty that surrounds us. I did not know there was such a thing as the butterfly nebula until today. But now that I do and I have seen this wonder (thank you), I have fallen in love with them too, the child that lives within me is so very grateful. I am endlessly inspired by the words I find here âĻð
To Chloe for these amazing words that move us to be more fully human, we give gratitude.
Kimberly, as always, thank you for shining your light on another great writer. Even if we already read Chloeâs work itâs great to have this quote highlighted.
Doesnât it seem, Donna, that we could throw a dart at Chloeâs work and find something exceptional? Ditto with Kimberly. Itâs great to share them both here.
Props to Adam for making this special triangle of goodness happen. I love how he stated it in a comment above, "I love writers reading their work, and that is where I thought this would have its greatest value, but unexpectedly the real value might be honoring the brave and talented. To honor others is one of the great human gifts: it moves the giver and the recipient both."
Kimberly's perfectly brief introduction does beautiful justice to Chloe's inspired perceptions, which include this one, too:
". . . imagine if we were all able to attune to the fervent excitement which the suggestion of new life truly deserves; it would be almost too painful to look away. Wars would cease."
Wonderful choice! Iâm also moved by Kimberlyâs beautiful words about it. I wanted to nominate Chloe but finding anything worthy to say was too daunting. ðŦ
So very perfect in every way to see Chloeâs words here. They often leave me without words of my own, and you have found words as beautiful in your nomination to honour them, Kimberly âĻð
What a gorgeous except and an even more stunning essay! I love when words can both transport me and also wake me up to my own divinty.... thank you for this offering!
Can we encourage Chloe to publish a book someday with all her essays? Though I think I might need it pocket-sized so I can carry it with me everywhere. Maybe even into the afterlife.:)
I can't imagine at this point, she won't end up on the front shelf at the bookstores with or without any of help. That is, provided there are still bookstores in 2025.
I've made no secret of my love for Chloe's work, writing about it here what seems ages ago: https://www.adamnathan.com/p/death-and-birds-chloe-hope.
Chloe was the first writer on Substack where I realized this was a platform for exceptional talent. This was still back in the day when it felt like there would be a Death & Birds around every corner.
Of course, there wasn't a Death & Birds around every corner. There is wonderful writing everywhere, inventive minds, humor, insight, but there is very little at the level of Chloe's. For me personally, I can count them on two hands. Given that she was the first, she is my right-hand thumb!
Much is made of the glinting light in Chloe's work. Not enough is made, I feel, of the darker waters in. They struck me then. They strike me now. Who would put the word "Death" in their title, focus on it, dare the readers to pay attention. You have to think of the courage to start there, with zero subscribers, betting the house on the approach. There's light, there's darkness, and there's courage. I'll take all three. And so will everybody else it has proven. She will be discovered and reread for years.
At one point I dubbed her the Patron Saint of Substack. She remains so. I'm privileged to share her work and, more importantly, to call her a friend. Thanks, Chloe for what you have created here. ðïļðŠĶ
I'm fully overwhelmed at this point. And you're hungover. So, again, thank you. You are woven into all things Death & Birds.
I think that overwhelm you speak of Chloe is of your own making. Remember that gossamer web you wrote of in your last post? You spun it, and now we're all overwhelmed and tangled up in it.
âbloodied and battle-worn from having refused nothingâ -this is the YES I will be seeking my entire life.
Thanks Adam for creating an opportunity to share my gratitude for St. Chloe.
Thank you for being the words for all of us. If there's another saint in the Substack Heavens (see my comment elsewhere here,) then it's you, Kimberly Warner.
Gah! If I'm a saint, then what does that make my kitties? I am most certainly (and happily) their slave.
It's an ongoing endeavour, but I swear the more that I keep at it the more I hear that resounding YES echoing back at me from 'out there'. It's the sweetest and most mysterious dialogue. And it's a joy to be in the conversation with you, love.
Kim and Adam both, my adoration for you knows no bounds. Being 'in the world' in this outward facing way feels clunky and weird and uncomfortable (though, less and less so as time goes on), and having your kindness and support and belief in whatever the hell it is I'm doing with Death & Birds makes it not only bearable, but entirely worth it. I love you, both. Thank you.
And, if I am what passes for a Saint, we may be in even deeper trouble than I thought ð
Best Words, best order ; when I think about it, Adam lights the symbolic beacon fire calling together all readers. Sharing his Substack space with us to nominate a wonderful writer, a quote that moves us. And finally the writer is asked to stand and humbly take their bow, invited to take center stage to read the excerpt nominated . What a beautiful chain reaction. Thank you , Adam.
This is deeply appreciated. My vision for this is starting to take shape. I love writers reading their work, and that is where I thought this would have its greatest value, but unexpectedly the real value might be honoring the brave and talented. To honor others is one of the great human gifts: it moves the giver and the recipient both. That's the point here. It's a "feel something" that has as little to do with me as possible.
I'm trying to create a place where a writer can wake up one morning, see their work celebrated, and then read something surprise and glowing about what they've accomplished. There's not enough of this, and we all deserve to have something recorded that "gets us." (we are writers, after all. we move and ar moved by them.) My hope is that is created here is held close to heart when doubts rage. I suspect it is doing that already.
All of which to say, Lor, is that you have just honored me in your comment above. Thank you.
Once you are past the last sparks of your hangover ,and your feet stop thinking theyâre still dancing, Iâm thinking about posting part of your reply to me as an intro to a restack. Unless you think it better if it comes directly from you, which works for me.
I consider all my published words to be adult children who must go and fend for themselves.
You mean like , go my children , be fruitful and multiply ð.
Better coming from othersâĶ thanks, Lâor. <â That autocorrect is so perfect Iâm leaving it.
Le oracle. ;)
Before I post, re-read the sentence or sentences in parentheses) ;There's not enough of this, and we all deserve to have something recorded that "gets us." (we are writers, after all. we move and ar moved by them.)
ð§
What a beautiful way to see it Lor!!!
Amen ðâĨïļ
Yes Kimberly, I agree, this one. When Adam put the call out for nominations, back in September, I scrolled through her incredible work to search for this one particular quote. I too nominated Chloe for the same paragraph. If you donât mind, I will include the last three lines of Chloeâs post, nesting. For me , it has been added to my master script on the art of living.
âWe are promised nothing.
We are owed nothing.
Every spin, a gift.â
Love that you highlighted the same text, though Iâm hardly surprised. It should be written in the sky, a Chloe constellation.
I fell in love with nebulas as child. Hanging magazine cutouts on my bedroom wall, yes, my mom allowed me to â ruinâ ( her word) one wall in my bedroom. I think a nebula would do nicely . Something like the Butterfly Nebula . I think youâll agree, a very appropriate quote from Carl Sagan;
â We are like butterflies who flutter for a day and think it is forever."
https://static3.businessinsider.com/image/56b62e942e5265b9008b56fd-1200/we-are-like-butterflies-who-flutter-for-a-day-and-think-it-is-forever.jpg
Even less than a butterfly. We are riding a butterfly's wing, soaring sometimes, hanging on for dear life at others, reminding each other to look up to see what carries us.
(As I'm launching myself off the trampoline right now, I wish to point out that I partied, sang, danced rather, um, intensely, last night and everything is coming out a little charged. It may, in fact, be that we're only wings and not riding them. I'll check in again when this weepy-hangover settles.)
Wildly impressed that you can write this well while hungover ð
Nothing like prose forming from hangovers
There's a wonderful synapse-overlap happening over here the last 24 hours Lor. I spent a better part of last night and this morning thinking about nebulasâand am just now reading your commentâhow important their imagery has been to me and my own inner cultivation of stillness. (Which ironically happened first by me projecting my imagination a gazillion miles away from my inner experience.) But meditating on those images, their impossible silence and stillness, helped me eventually find their microcosmic version within myself. I'm in love with your childhood wallpaper.
I think the overlap is still continuing in these threads. Oh I know, letâs all meet for lunch,there might possibly be an electric current still happening when we get there, weâll have to be extra cautious on the initial meet and greet, a bit of a shock passed with a handshake or a hug. I know a great sushi placeðą
We would cook the sushi!
ðĢâĄïļðĨ
Each day is a gift to learn more of the beauty that surrounds us. I did not know there was such a thing as the butterfly nebula until today. But now that I do and I have seen this wonder (thank you), I have fallen in love with them too, the child that lives within me is so very grateful. I am endlessly inspired by the words I find here âĻð
I love this because it's my favourite, too (so it's ours). Thank you, Lor âĨïļ
What an amazing collaboration, thank you Adam.
To Chloe for these amazing words that move us to be more fully human, we give gratitude.
Kimberly, as always, thank you for shining your light on another great writer. Even if we already read Chloeâs work itâs great to have this quote highlighted.
Doesnât it seem, Donna, that we could throw a dart at Chloeâs work and find something exceptional? Ditto with Kimberly. Itâs great to share them both here.
Thank you, thank you, Donna
Props to Adam for making this special triangle of goodness happen. I love how he stated it in a comment above, "I love writers reading their work, and that is where I thought this would have its greatest value, but unexpectedly the real value might be honoring the brave and talented. To honor others is one of the great human gifts: it moves the giver and the recipient both."
I wholeheartedly agree!
Kimberly's perfectly brief introduction does beautiful justice to Chloe's inspired perceptions, which include this one, too:
". . . imagine if we were all able to attune to the fervent excitement which the suggestion of new life truly deserves; it would be almost too painful to look away. Wars would cease."
Thank you! I'm overwhelmed by Kimberly's beautiful and kind words on mine. And thank you for mentioning those, I really do think they would...
I've revisited this reflection multiple times too Jay. Even imagining that infant crow's beak resting on my hand. Yes, definitively wars would cease.
Wonderful choice! Iâm also moved by Kimberlyâs beautiful words about it. I wanted to nominate Chloe but finding anything worthy to say was too daunting. ðŦ
I understand that feeling Julie! Words will never wholly capture the way Chloeâs offerings shift the very bedrock of our being.
You would also have been perfect.
So very perfect in every way to see Chloeâs words here. They often leave me without words of my own, and you have found words as beautiful in your nomination to honour them, Kimberly âĻð
I appreciate you, love
I'm with you Emily, Chloe usually leaves me gasping, dumb-founded into supreme silence.
What a gorgeous except and an even more stunning essay! I love when words can both transport me and also wake me up to my own divinty.... thank you for this offering!
Thank you, Kendall!
What beautiful nomination that is so KIMBERLY! And, of course, the beautiful writing of Chloe Hope that soars.
Can we encourage Chloe to publish a book someday with all her essays? Though I think I might need it pocket-sized so I can carry it with me everywhere. Maybe even into the afterlife.:)
I can't imagine at this point, she won't end up on the front shelf at the bookstores with or without any of help. That is, provided there are still bookstores in 2025.
I'm gonna do it! I am. I'm just very slow moving, is all âĨïļ I'll look into making it afterlife-proof
I second this emotion âĪïļ
This is wonderful. Thank you ððž