2021 Book Groups
So much has changed, and a few things have stayed the same
For the last couple of years, I have book my book group announcements here on Medium. It felt strange not to do it again this year, even though I really only write poetry here these days.
It just felt like there might be someone here that would want to know about this, and who wouldn’t have been able to find out any other way.
So here’s the new 2021 Book Group announcement. I hope you will consider joining us!
Welcome! This is your official invitation to join us for the 2021 Book Groups — the 2nd full year of books, and our third reading of The Artist’s Way.
Do you enjoy reading books that will change your life, if you let them? Do you like the idea of being a part of a community of like-minded, open-hearted, creative people? Will you take this journey seriously, and have some fun too? You have come to the right place!
What are the Book Groups?
Short answer: They are a cross between a mastermind, a course, and a book club.
It is a full year program if you choose to read all three books with us (which you don’t have to do — you can ready one or two, too).
There is a reading schedule that everyone agrees to follow. I set up weekly Zoom calls that everyone can attend (yes, even if you’re international, you can join us!), and a Slack environment where we keep in touch during the week. I also assign partners each week so that people have the opportunity to get to know one another.
The book groups are a learning community, and they continue to be one of my favorite things that I am involved in creating. We create the experience together.
It is a commitment of your time and energy, much like a course, but it goes well beyond the bounds of learning. We learn together, we share our lives, our dreams, and everything in between.
Why these three books?
Well, I guess the first question is, why only three books? That’s because of timing. We like to read these books slowly and really dig into them. We read them and integrate them into our lives. We take in what’s useful, and question what’s not. We take on new perspectives and open ourselves to new possibilities.
One of the main points of these groups is community — there’s no point in rushing through the books. We will take our time, and go through them thoroughly to maximize the benefit for everyone.
Also, reading the books slowly means it’s more likely people will actually do the reading. If I were to assign a lot of chapters at one time, not only would we have trouble discussing all of that information on one call, it’s less likely that anyone would do the reading, and what’s the fun in that?
This is meant to be transformative, not overwhelming. It’s meant to be fun, not a chore. I want this to be genuinely meaningful for everyone involved — that’s why we move slowly.
Ok, now that that’s covered, here’s a little bit about each of the three books, and why I chose them for this year.
- Steering by Starlight by Martha Beck
This is the new book for this year, and it will be the first one we read starting in January.
Steering by Starlight is about finding your purpose, but it’s also about really listening to your inner light — your inner stargazer. It’s about negotiating fear, and learning from your inner wisdom. It’s about being genuinely yourself even when it’s scary — something many creatives are very familiar with feeling and navigating.
Martha Beck is a life coach, and has worked with all sorts — from drug addicts to Oprah. In Steering by Starlight, Beck provides fascinating revelations about the value of a human life, and what it means to actually live. It will be a great book for us to start off 2021 on the right foot.
- You Are a Badass at Making Money by Jen Sincero
The next book on the 2021 agenda is You Are a Badass at Making Money by Jen Sincero.
This book dives deep into our money issues — where they come from, and how we can begin to change and unwind them.
It is very important for everyone, and in particular here, Creatives who want to monetize their art, to address our money mindset issues. This book makes it less intimidating, and dare I say even a bit fun. It’s not easy to work on our money mindset, but Sincero makes the work accessible for all.
On a more personal level, You Are a Badass at Making Money taught me how to regain control over my life. It completely changed my relationship with money. So many of us have money mindset issues — why not address them with supportive peers who can help you and hold you accountable?
Also, for those who don’t know about Jen Sincero, she literally picked herself up off the floor, and became one of the most successful self-help coaches in the world. She was homeless couch-surfing at one point in her 30s. She’s the real deal, and she’s an inspiration.
- The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
The Artist’s Way is known as one of the most transformative books for people who want to reconnect with their more authentically, creative selves. It moves you, and pushes you, and you come out with a changed perspective.
Elizabeth Gilbert and Jenna Fisher are among the famous professionals who credit their professional success to reading and doing The Artist’s Way. It is powerful.
What does the 2021 schedule look like?
We will start Steering by Starlight in January, and I expect we will finish reading it during the last week in March.
We will then begin reading You Are a Badass at Making Money in mid-April, and that book will end in July.
We will take August off for a summer break, and then begin with The Artist’s Way again in September.
*Schedule is subject to change. These are estimates.
Do you have to read all three books to be a part of this group?
Answer: No, if you only want to read one or two of the books, that’s fine. I will be posting information as each individual book group nears.
Commitment
Here are a few specifics with regard to the commitment involved in joining this community, and reading each book:
- Read the assigned chapters for the week
- Do whatever “homework” is in the chapters — like morning pages, for example.
- Attend the majority of the zoom calls
- Register on Slack and participate at least once a week
- Engage with group members, as appropriate
- Be generally appropriate.. nice and funny are a bonus.
Can you miss a zoom call or 2? YES! Can you miss an entire month in a row? Not ideally, but if you’re actively engaging on our other platforms it might be ok.
It’s important to maintain communication. This is a community, and we worry when people go missing from it and stop participating and showing up. So, there is a level of commitment needed and expected.
COSTS
Join for ONE book at $150 here
Join for TWO books at $250 (save $50) here
Join for ALL THREE books at $350 (save $100) here (until December 14th)
PLEASE NOTE: Costs do NOT include the books themselves — you will need to purchase them on your own.
DEADLINES
The deadline to sign up for all three books OR Steering by Starlight ONLY is December 14th.
You are a badass at Making Money and The Artist’s Way will have different individual deadlines later in the year.
PLEASE NOTE: I only accept 15 people into each book group. So if you want to secure your spot, it’s best to do so ahead of time. However, I do not issue refunds.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions — I’m happy to chat with you about this.
I want to make this a truly positive experience for everyone who wants to get involved.
Thank you, and I look forward to including you in the 2021 Book Groups!
Testimonials
Creative Life Scholars provides a weekly dose of self-reflection and forward momentum for my life, my craft, and my business. The community is incredibly supportive and Sam continues to be the perfect balance of badass and nurturer that every creative needs in their life. — Nicole Rivera Writer, Coach, Host of the Stop Writing Alone Podcast
When I joined The Artist’s Way book group hosted by Sam Kimberle, I had no idea how much it would change my life. Book group doesn’t even begin to describe this community, no, this is family. Not only are we learning and growing together, we have support, accountability, kindness, and most of all acceptance. — Heather L Huffman Author and Poet
I have felt so lucky to have gotten involved in Sam’s Artist’s Way group. I have met some awesome people from all over the world! And I have made great progress toward recovering my creative self. I’ve always been a reader, but reading in community changes the way a person interacts with a book. I think you get so much more out of a book when you can hear other people’s thoughts and take-aways. I would HIGHLY recommend getting involved in the 2020 book clubs! — Susie Taylor Copywriter, Blogger and Professional Creative
I had tried to read The Artist’s Way three or four times in the last decade, but each time I quit before starting the work — this is not a passive book, it’s a self-directed creative counseling course. Not this time, though! With the support of the community Sam has attracted I am doing the work. It’s been a game-changer. I can’t recommend this experience highly enough. — Donna Barker Author & Co-Founder of the Creative Academy for Writers
