“’Hear! hear!’ screamed the jay from a neighboring tree, where I had heard a tittering for some time, ‘winter has a concentrated and nutty kernel, if you know where to look for it.’”

- Henry David Thoreau

A Snow Day on Sanity Ranch

As this space grows, I’ve been thinking carefully about how—and when—to open it further. Anything offered here matters to me only if it feels relational rather than transactional, rooted in conversation rather than performance. In 2026, I’m holding a few community offerings with that spirit in mind:

Slow Read Book Clubs

Seasonal book picks (of all genres) with virtual monthly meetings via zoom as well as an additional text-inspired craft talk per book.

We kick off in Spring`26, reading March 1st-May 1st:

Book Vote Opens Now

Gathering in Real Time

In the spring, I’ll be attending AWP. I’m looking forward to being in rooms full of writers again—to the conversations in hallways, the reminder that this work is communal even when it’s solitary. If you’ll be there too, let me know in the comments as we will be setting up a substack gathering, in conjunction with .

Astral Academy, A Novel

The Astral Academy world continues to unfold, with new episodes every weekend. You can follow along below for free. Paid subscribers will receive the full ebook at the end of the series.

Astral Academy

Serial Fiction: Speculative, metaphysical sci-fi-bent series about a secret program that harnesses the power of a higher dimension and tests the limits of the human mind.

By NJ Simat 🤍

POETRY:

ESSAY:

Thank you for reading,

Sincerely,
NJ Simat

Creative Director & Editor of PHIL LIT JOURNAL

Get more from NJ Simat 🤍 in the Substack app

Available for iOS and Android

Get the app

A Peek Inside Franklin the Frog! Franklin is bringing his big heart and little webbed feet to a new home. This delightful story follows Franklin, a very special frog, on his heartfelt journey toward adoption, celebrating themes of love, individuality, and the joy of belonging.

We're thrilled to announce that Franklin the Frog will be published by Canary Agency.

GET YOUR COPY HERE

Franklin Finds a Home

Image: Amora and Amina Bryant, Authors Nieces.

Special Paid Subscriber Benefits:

• Founding Members: As a heartfelt thank you, all founding subscribers will automatically receive a signed copy of Franklin the Frog. Please ensure your address is updated HERE

• Paid Subscribers: Please enjoy permanent pre-order pricing as a special acknowledgment of your ongoing support.

Whether you’re a grownup frog-lover or a little reader with a big imagination, we hope these pages hop right into your heart.

More soon from Franklin’s corner of the pond!

With lily-pad love,
NJ SIMAT & T. CHENNELL

With humor, science, and hands-on experience, Hen or Roo? turns what may seem like a rooster-related challenge into an enriching part of your homesteading journey.

Ever had a beloved pullet chick surprise you by turning into a rooster? You're not alone! Hen or Roo? takes that unexpected twist many backyard chicken keepers face and turns it into an opportunity for discovery. Roosters are often misunderstood, labeled as aggressive, noisy, or unnecessary in flocks. This book challenges those myths, showing that roosters are more than just their crow—they are intelligent, social, and essential members of any well-managed flock.

With over 30 roosters living harmoniously across just three flocks, NJ Simat draws from personal experience and a deep passion for animal welfare to provide a comprehensive, hands-on guide. This handbook delivers practical, relatable advice for integrating roosters and managing their unique roles in the flock.

In Hen or Roo?, you’ll learn:

1. How to manage roosters to promote peaceful flock integration

2. The surprising benefits roosters offer to backyard flocks, including protection and enhanced reproductive health

3. How to handle common pitfalls like aggression, over-mating, and rooster rivalry

4. Expert tips on housing, health, and maintaining a stress-free environment

5. Heartwarming success stories and real-life examples that dispel myths and celebrate the true value of roosters

Ideal for:

Chicken keepers who were surprised to find their pullet turned into a rooster, Homesteaders looking for sustainable ways to manage mixed-gender flocks, Animal lovers who want a deeper understanding of poultry care and flock dynamics.

GET YOUR COPY:

https://a.co/d/82roFF1

Read more