A note from Jane
Before leaving Aotearoa New Zealand, I made a pilgrimage familiar to many Lord of the Rings fans: I visited Wētā Workshop, renowned for its creative design in the film series.
I own the LotR deluxe DVD set and have watched all the behind the scenes, so I wasn’t expecting any surprises, just hoping to see the prop archive and indulge in some photo ops. On that front, I was not disappointed.
What I did not expect was Wētā’s deeply held belief that everyone visiting them had the potential to be as creative and successful as they are.
Wētā started out as RT Effects, founded by a nerdy New Zealand couple who met as teenagers and began a business working in concept work and special effects for TV and film. When Jackson began LotR, he wanted Wētā—a firm of only 30 people at the time—to work on the trilogy. Were they afraid to take it on? Yes. Did they do it anyway? Yes. Doing so meant immediately hiring more than 100 people; the average employee age was 22.
The Wētā tour guides took joy in discussing how their swordsmith was once an IT professional who is entirely self-taught in his craft. Or how the elaborate looking costumes in their studio are made from everyday materials you can procure in your own home. Or how a young backpacker took their tour and became so enamored with the place she never left and is now an employee.
Rather than holding themselves up as award-winning geniuses, they used it as an opportunity to encourage us. If a little-known studio on an island far away from Hollywood can successfully bring to life the world of J. R. R. Tolkien, then you too can find a way to fulfill your creative dreams.
The tour ended with a quick demonstration on sculpting with aluminum foil, in a room of masterful foil figures made by the teaching artist. Each of us was handed a few foil sheets and told to make whatever came to mind, without worrying about the results. (I made a fairy wand.)
For those who work far outside the centers of power, and feel like they are too small to make a difference, it was a beautiful and important message, and of course in the spirit of LotR.
Jane
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Newsletter recommendation: Aboard
I’ve long followed Paul Ford and only recently realized he had a newsletter that I wasn’t receiving: Aboard. He’s one of the nuanced voices you can find on AI and the tech world more generally. The newsletter includes a brief upfront article plus curated links. Weekly and free.
Smartphone widgets for your lockscreen
I’m terrible at keeping up with smartphone tricks, and this latest one I discovered myself. During my trip in Australia and New Zealand, I wanted to be able to look at multiple time zones at a glance and realized you can add a World Clock widget to your lockscreen. To customize on iPhone, touch and hold your lock screen until the “Customize” option appears, then tap to add widgets. (See screenshots.) This works for many different apps: weather, to-do items, calendar events, etc. Android users: you have similar functionality and can follow a similar process. Here’s Samsung.
Impress an old-school record clerk with your taste
While traveling, Mark spotted a sign in a record store that said, “The plural of vinyl is vinyl,” and he immediately wanted one for himself. That search led us to a cute online game at pluralofvinyl.com, where you have a virtual $60 to spend in a record store, where you try to impress the clerk with your selections. Super cute.
I’m doing a free publishing industry update next week
Join me for a free, live Zoom session to learn about the most notable industry developments of 2026, what they mean for writers and publishers, and what to watch for in 2027, on Friday, Sept. 18. Yes, it will be recorded if you can’t make it live, but attend live if you want to ask questions. Register.
Next online class: Mastering the Art of the Synopsis
- Taught by: Jessica Strawser, career novelist and former editorial director of Writer’s Digest
- Ideal for: Anyone pitching their first novel or memoir
- Jane says: I haven’t yet met a writer who likes writing a synopsis, but Jessica offers guidance that lessens the pain.
- When: Wednesday, September 16, 1:00–2:30 p.m. EDT, or wait for the recording
Your turn: neck wraps
In the last issue, I asked if there is a neck wrap you recommend. The two most common answers were, by far: mend what you have or make your own from a men’s tube sock. Aside from those suggestions, here’s what you said.
- For the heat/cold wrap, my favorites are from SunnyBay. I like the extra large body wrap because it works for your neck and other assorted places as well, though they do have a smaller neck wrap. I also like the plain one without sewn-in compartments or gels or anything. —Kate McEnroe
- Vermont Country Store makes an herbal-scented one with flaxseed and wheat kernels. —Carolyn Haley
- I’ve had the DreamTime Microwaveable Crescent Wrap since 2023, and it has a removable cover for washing. The cover’s thick enough so it doesn’t put stress on the inner liner, so I’m not worried about that wearing out and letting the herbs (not rice) inside. —Terry Odell
- Maybe try Bucky for your neck wrap. I’ve also had one of their pillows for about a decade now and it’s still going. The neck wraps are a little spendy for their purpose, but they do lay so nicely across the shoulders and there’s no rice smell after warming in the microwave. —Patricia Kunz
- I love my flax-filled heatwrap by Dana Herbert. They come in lavender scent or unscented. —Sandy Grubb
- The Manchester Craft Market offers hand-made microwaveable neck wraps—a whole variety of designs on the cloth covers! They ship anywhere in the US and help support small business owners. —Mary Jane Lavoie
- Check out Grampa’s Garden from Maine, whose products are filled with natural grains! I’ve loved the TheraPac, even without heat, as a soothing, weighted, light-blocking eye mask for migraines. Their products are fantastic for gifts, too! —Michelle Laughran
- For the last 10+ years I’ve used The Original Bed Buddy by Carex. It’s a great weight, can be used hot (microwave) or cold (freezer), and I can put it exactly where it’s needed. After I bought one and loved it, I bought a second one to keep in the office. At less than $10, it’s a no-brainer. —Patty Panni
- I love the neck wraps from Sonoma Lavender. I first used their products as a customer of a local spa, truly amazing. I have had mine for more than 10 years, it has held up very well and the fragrance is amazing. —B HP
- Cherry pit pads are fantastic. They not only make you feel better, but the aroma is lovely. —Margaret
Next question: Mark and I travel with something we call “charging station” to charge all of our devices through one hub, but it’s time to replace it because it’s entirely USB-A connectors and most of our devices are now USB-C. What do you use?
Do you have a tools or resources question you would like me to ask all readers? Offer up your suggestion, and I might feature it.
Free resources featuring Jane
Upcoming online classes
Meet Jane at an event
- AALA People of Publishing (NYC), Sept. 30, 2026 (reporting)
- ALLI’s SelfPubCon (virtual), Oct. 17–18, 2026
- Author Nation (Las Vegas), November 10–13, 2026 (reporting)
- Books by the Banks (Cincinnati), November 14, 2026
- AWP Bookfair (Chicago), March 17–20, 2027 (exhibiting)
- PCPA-ACP Joint Conference (Chicago), April 7–8, 2027
- Nebraska Writers Guild Conference (Omaha), April 22–24, 2027
“At electric speed, all forms are pushed to the limits of their potential.”
—Marshall McLuhan
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