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Bootstrap Publications Welcomes Three Authors to its Growing Literary Community

  • Feb 17
  • 3 min read

Tahoe City, CA - Bootstrap Publications, in its ongoing mission to publish impactful and meaningful works, is proud to formally welcome three distinct voices to its established community of authors: Carolyn Meers, N. E. Weisberg, and Chasejamison Akilah Manar-Spears (CJ). This collaboration brings together a scholar, a speculative visionary, and a creative survivor to offer readers a range of perspectives on resilience, history, and healing.


A Triptych of Perspectives


Carolyn Meers: Creative Healing and Restorative Wonder An England-born artist, musician, and mother, Carolyn Meers brings a narrative voice shaped by empathy, recovery, and purposeful living. A breast cancer survivor and six years sober, her path is defined by hard-earned self-awareness and a belief that love and creativity can conquer the greatest of challenges. A "drummer at heart," Meers utilizes rhythm as a tool for transformation, while her handmade fairy wands reflect her deep-seated belief in wonder and intention. As a proud mother to a trans son and a steadfast LGBTQ+ ally, her work serves as a compassionate voice for the marginalized, human and animal alike.


N. E. Weisberg: Historical Allegory and Speculative Depth A dedicated educator and historian, N. E. Weisberg offers a literary voice informed by a background in history and psychology. His upcoming novel, The Space Pirate King, evolved from a deconstruction of science-fiction tropes into a political drama focused on the "home front" of a galactic frontier. Drawing inspiration from the historical resistance of non-Western nations against colonialism—such as Japan, Ethiopia, and Iran—Weisberg explores the cultural and economic consequences of first contact and unprecedented threats from space.


Chasejamison Akilah Manar-Spears (CJ): Afro-Surrealism and Revolutionary Healing Born and raised in the Bay Area, CJ Spears creates at the intersection of poetry, Afro-surrealism, and "ancestral world-building." As a Yoga teacher and co-founder of the Black Seeds Bloom collective, CJ crafts stories where ecology and spirit blend to envision life beyond the "forest fire" of capitalism. Bootstrap Publications supports the development of CJ’s climate fiction trilogy, beginning with The Book of Cadence. Rooted in themes of tel-empathy and matriarchal liberation, her work centralizes Black womanhood and organic patterns in nature to re-envision indigenous societies within dystopian settings.


About the Authors


  • Carolyn Meers is a multi-media artist and vegan advocate who finds joy in drumming, gaming, and her cherished cats, Luna and Corn Chip. Her creativity emerged as a form of restoration, proving that healing is possible when we accept our past as part of our power.


  • N. E. Weisberg is a middle school social studies teacher and family man. When not in the classroom or his study, he shares his home with a cherished rabbit and remains committed to the complexities of the human experience.


  • CJ Spears is the author of the poetry collection Becoming Friends With Trees & Other Creative Prophecies. Their work is informed by Afro-surrealism, daydreams, and the silent growth of trees.


About Bootstrap Publications


Bootstrap Publications is dedicated to discovering and championing authors who provide compelling narratives of survival, scholarly insight, and imaginative spirit. By collaborating with these three authors, the press continues to provide readers with the tools to find their own "superpower" in the stories of everyday life and the worlds beyond.


Connect with Carolyn Meers:

Connect with N.E. Weisberg:


Connect with CJ Spears:

Learn more about Bootstrap Publications: https://www.bootstrappublications.com/ 

For more information on our book collection or to schedule an interview with the authors, please contact: info@bootstrappublications.com


Tags: Literary Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Creative Healing, Historical Allegory, Afro-Surrealism, Sobriety & Recovery, Cancer Survivorship, LGBTQ+ Advocacy, Military Sci-Fi, Colonialism Resistance, Climate Fiction, Ancestral World-Building, Black Womanhood, Matriarchal Societies, Political Drama, Multi-media Art, Veganism, Social Studies Education


Industries: Book Publishing, Education & Academia, Arts & Culture, Mental Health & Wellness, Advocacy & Non-Profit, Science Fiction & Fantasy




Signs You’re Ready to Publish

  • Oct 16, 2025
  • 2 min read

Updated: Oct 30, 2025

A picrture of a printing company and a printing machine

Writing is a journey, and publishing can feel like the pinnacle of that journey. Whether you're working on a novel, blog post, article, or academic paper, deciding when your work is ready to face the world can be tricky. If you’re still hesitating, here are five telltale signs you’re ready to publish.


A woman who is revising her work

1. You’ve Revised, and Then Revised Again

First drafts are rarely ready for publishing. In fact, they’re often messy, full of raw ideas and half-formed thoughts. A key sign you're ready to publish is that you've gone through multiple rounds of revision. You've taken the time to clarify your arguments, smooth transitions, fix plot holes, and fine-tune the language. You’ve also allowed yourself time between edits, giving you fresh eyes to catch things you might have missed before.


After countless hours of reworking and polishing, you feel confident that the core message or story is solid, and every sentence contributes to the whole. If this is you, then it's a great indication that your work might be ready.



Someone who is reading a book with a person beside her

2. You’ve Had Someone Else Read It

One of the best ways to know if your work is truly ready for the world is to get feedback. A beta reader, critique partner, or professional editor can provide an outside perspective, pointing out areas you might have overlooked.


You’ve taken this feedback seriously, made adjustments, and refined your work. If your early readers are giving you positive feedback or if their constructive criticism has helped you elevate the piece to new heights, that’s a green flag.



A symbul of target audience

3. You Know Your Audience to Publish

Before publishing, it’s important to ask yourself: Who is this for? Knowing your audience will help you tailor your work to the right readers. Whether you're writing a blog post for entrepreneurs, a fantasy novel for young adults, or an academic paper for fellow researchers, having a clear audience in mind ensures that your content resonates.


If you've written with a specific audience in mind and crafted your piece to meet their needs or interests, this focus is a sign you’re ready to take the plunge.





Someone who is telling a writer her feedback

4. You’re No Longer Afraid of Feedback

Publishing opens the door to feedback—both positive and negative. A strong indicator that you're ready is when the thought of feedback excites you more than it scares you. You understand that constructive criticism is part of the process, and you're ready to learn from it.


If you've moved past the fear of "what if someone doesn’t like it" and instead embrace the opportunity for growth, that’s a solid indicator

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