From the desk of James Salimes (J. Ellis Blaise)

Autumn 2026 Newsletter

Autumn greetings!

I'm excited to reveal to you the cover of Sacred Weavings, Threads From an Earthy Mystic (see below) BIG NEWS: Sacred Weavings will be available for pre-order in the next few weeks and released in December! Stay tuned!

Sacred Weavings pauses at waymarks along three threads that make up my rule of life. On the threads of place, pace, and practice are stories, thoughts, and reflections, pivotal in untangling theological rebar in my soul. I follow three threads that stretch into my past and touch parts of my life where I felt it essential to stop and examine. The book is not a chronological account of my life journey. It does not follow a character arc that curves up and over a mound of difficulties and comes down in a clearing on the other side. That is for another time. What I share are significant understandings and foundations from my youth, the immense value of mentors, and quotes from a wide gamut of poets, theologians, and teachers, that helped me to unlearn and begin again.

A BIG thank you Drazenka Kimpel of Creative Dust for her amazing work on the cover of Sacred Weavings.

What started as a short-story may become a novella before I am through. As a way to hone some skills for Treasure in a Field Book II, I'm two drafts into The Plague. The Plague is a satire about politics and religion. Young Seb, helps his good friend Adi to care for street children in the city of Bavvel. In helping the children Seb and Adi must contend with absurd government policy while confronting grievous religious doctrine, the worst Seb worries about is contracting the plague.

It was great to meet many new readers and authors last summer over the course of attending book fairs and festivals. Thanks to the many who have signed up to receive my quarterly newsletter. On the home page you can see upcoming appearance dates. Please don't hesitate to reach out with an email to ask questions, share books your are reading, or to tell me about significant waymarks in your life!

Thanks for reading, as always. Peace to you!

James Salimes (J. Ellis Blaise)