First Chapter: Starting the Year, One Page at a Time
January 2026 Edition
✒️A Message from Bootstrap
We welcome this year with cold hands but warm hearts.
Writers have always found the new year to be a chance to begin again, or better yet, to continue the path we’ve deliberately chosen. Perhaps with new inspiration, a warm cup of tea, and a steadfast vision for the next twelve months. Life as a writer becomes a cycle of finding grit and inspiration, time and time again.
January is a chance to pause, rethink, and work toward bringing our visions to life.
As a boutique publisher, we aspire to make this year a notable one. We believe in taking chances and knocking on doors. We believe in braving all storms.
Thank you for turning the page with us. We’re excited to see how this year unfolds.
📢 Author Spotlight: Dr. Baham at Ridge Writers
Last January 8, 2026, Dr. Nicholas Louis Baham was invited by the Ridge Writers, the East Sierra Branch of the California Writers Club, a resource and organization for writers and readers. He gave a talk on the matters surrounding “The Inseparability of Noir and Place: A Fundamental Rethinking of What Noir Can Be and Who it Can Speak For.” Dr. Baham highlighted his debut novel The People’s Detective as a case study showing how intertwined noir and place could be.
The talk also became a venue for a collective brainstorming session, with the audience zeroing in on the query, “What would a Ridgecrest noir look like?”.
Dr. Baham states that Ridgecrest has all the elements needed for a great noir fiction, and as an ode to the place, it takes only one brilliant mind to unravel that.
To look further into Dr. Baham’s thoughts, he shared that:
“Spending time with the Ridge Writers reminded me of something essential: great writing can emerge from anywhere. You don’t need to be in New York or Los Angeles to do important literary work.
You need curiosity, dedication, a community that supports you, and stories worth telling.”
Overall, the experience of the author of The People’s Detective underscores a powerful truth: rich stories, complex identities, and creative communities exist well beyond where we’re taught to look for them. Read more of his insights on his recent Substack Post.
Tell Me Your Best Joke: Launching Soon!
Jokes are the ultimate icebreakers—and sometimes, the best (or worst) pick-up lines!
Don’t miss the much-awaited gem in the online dating world! Tell Me Your Best Joke by Miriam Dorsett, foreword by Alexis Germany Fox, is launching this February.
Tell Me Your Best Joke is a hilarious collection of jokes gathered straight from dating apps, featuring the funniest, quirkiest, and naughtiest lines ever shared. Whether you’re searching for a witty opening line, a groan-worthy dad joke, or a clever pun to make your friends laugh (or cringe), this book has it all—neatly categorized for easy browsing.
Packed with humor for every occasion, Tell Me Your Best Joke is perfect for joke lovers, dating app veterans, and anyone who enjoys a good laugh. Get ready to swipe right on comedy and find your next favorite joke!
Scan the QR Code above to pre-order your copy now.
Tell Me Your Best Dating Story Swag Bag Partner Brands
We are so grateful to team up with minority-owned brands to bring some lucky readres the ultimate pre-date swag bag. 🎁
Behind every prize is a story of entrepreneurship, innovation, and heart:
Just Sipiwe‑Skin: Helping you find your pre-date glow with their Scudo Serum. Born from the runway to build skin resilience and natural radiance through simple, nourishing ingredients.
Nailstry: Taking the guesswork out of the perfect manicure. Their AI-powered marketplace ensures a custom, luxury fit every time—just measure, order, and press on.
Haiti Coffee Co.: Providing the gourmet energy boost you need. Every sip of their single-source Arabica coffee supports young entrepreneurs and helps rebuild Haiti’s historic coffee legacy.
and
Alexis Germany Fox: A complimentary 30-minute professional dating profile review with our partner influencer, dating coach and relationship expert, Alexis Germany Fox.
Thank you for helping our community turn dating chaos into a moment of self-care and confidence! 💅☕️✨
Blogs 2026: A Mini Workshop Series
Writing a book rarely happens in one bold leap. It happens in small, steady steps—the kind taken between drafts, doubts, breakthroughs, and quiet moments at the desk. This year, we’re inviting you into those moments.
Our 2026 Mini Workshop Series is a year-long collection of short, focused reads (each just 2–5 minutes), released every mid of the month, designed to meet you exactly where you are in your writing journey. From shaping an idea into a workable outline, to building worlds, revising with intention, navigating feedback, and surviving the emotional highs and lows of the craft, each month tackles one essential part of writing a story—and staying with it.
These aren’t overwhelming masterclasses or rigid formulas. They’re practical, thoughtful guides meant to spark clarity, restore momentum, and remind you that you’re not alone in this process. Whether you’re drafting your first chapter, revising a manuscript, or wondering what comes next, this series is here to support your growth—one small workshop at a time.
Welcome to a year of writing with purpose, patience, and progress.
📝 Blog Bites - From Idea to Outline: A Smarter Way to Start Your Novel (Mini Workshop - January 2026)
Writing a novel is a marathon, not a sprint. A strong outline can be the roadmap that keeps you moving forward. While inspiration sparks the story, structure sustains it. Outlining helps clarify your core idea, plot points, and character arcs before you dive into drafting, saving you from overwhelm (and endless rewrites) later on.
Whether you’re a plotter or a former pantser, many award-winning authors swear by having a plan. From defining your central conflict to shaping a simple three-act structure and tracking how your characters grow, an outline gives your creativity a solid foundation. When you know where you’re headed, you can write with more confidence, momentum, and joy, propelling you to reach the finish line.
📔The Reading Room: Trauma Recovery by Jolyn Armstrong, CTRC
Trauma Recovery is a gentle yet practical companion for anyone navigating life after trauma. Jolyn Armstrong offers a clear, 90-day framework that breaks healing into manageable steps, making recovery feel possible rather than overwhelming. Thoughtfully designed and trauma-informed, this guidebook supports readers in rebuilding stability, confidence, and hope at their own pace. A reassuring resource for those ready to move forward with intention and care.
We had the privilege of hearing Jolyn share her insights during her talk at BFF Tahoe, an experience that was both deeply healing and empowering.
📔Our Bookshelf
Our bookshelf is expanding soon.
Check out our website and follow us on socials to be updated!
🛍️ Find Your Treasure: Bootstrap’s Exclusive Merch
Ready to explore our exclusive finds? Click the button below and dive into our world of merch – your next favorite piece is just a click away!
Stay Connected!
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