A New Chapter in my Own Story...

Well, here we go, gang.

Let's start with an introduction, just in case you're new here. I am Callixta/Calix King: an autistic, queer, and bi-gender artist living in the Kansas City, Missouri area. I attended college at Wichita State, and hold a degree in creative writing and theater. When I'm not trying to create some sort of eloquent narrative (or banging my head into a keyboard as an attempt to do so), they sing karaoke, bake bread, and enjoy a quiet cottagecore life.

And I am doing one of the scariest things I have ever done: I am making all work that I publish, free, from now on. Why, I am sure, is going to be the number one question.

At this point in my life, I am privileged enough that my partner and mine's combined income, makes it so I don't rely on my art to survive. Years and years ago, I thought that would be my ticket to getting the life I wanted. I think, like any author with big plans and a shiny new degree, I had dreams of grandeur. But now, I just want my work to be out there. To be enjoyed and remembered.

I want people to READ my stories AND have access to them. In this capitalistic nightmare, people deserve to have things they enjoy. Art they can dive into. I want my art to be fully accessible. And if I put ANY sort of paywall for it, that takes away that accessibility. I remember struggling financially, and it was free art that kept be going. It was the ability to dive into a book, or video essay, or free film, that helped me in my darkest moments.

This is NOT a move to knock any artist who creates to pay the bills. There are artists who work themselves to the bone, who create amazing things, that DESERVE their coin. But I am literally a hobbyist who just wants people to enjoy what I write. I don't need the coin like that anymore. I want to use the good fortune I now have, to support other artists, and I want my own creations to give the same comfort I received from accessible art. I want you to take your coin and support artists that need it, because believe me, there are human artists that NEED it right now.

So, here is what won't change going forward:

1: The quality of my work.

I will still be paying diverse editors and consultants. I will still have beta readers. I will still strive to make sure that what I put into the world is GOOD. I just no longer will have the capitalistic pressure to "make back" what I spent. I will still credit those people as they choose to be credited.

2: I will NOT use AI in my art

I will continue to refuse the aid of AI for my cover art, editing, or help with writing. I will use the talents of real people, time and time again. I will not be part of the problem when it comes to tech taking jobs away from my community. Even though I'm using Wix to host my site, I have not touched their AI tools either.

Now, here is what will change:

As you can see...I now have a new website that I will casually blog on and make writing announcements! I am so excited. I might drop inclusive sneak peeks, share pictures o fmy cat, that sort of thing. I want to make being a writer...just fun for me again. Without deadlines or pressure.

Well, without further ado: My first short story collection, "The Things We Dream at Night" is now free on Smashwords. Here's the link:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1101474

However, if anyone DOES want to do anything to help me out...please just share my work. If you have an idea of anyone who would enjoy what I do, please tell them. People enjoying my work is the greatest gift I could be given at this point in my life.

Thanks for being along for the ride, my friends and family. I love you all.

Image description: The book cover of "The Things We Dream at Night" by Callix/Calixta King. It has a blue and black gradient-ish background, with the title in swirly white font. A picture of a young woman wearing round, silver rimmed glasses and black, short cut hair, is in the center of the book, holding sparkling lights.