Meet SLOWING

A cover reveal and reintroduction of my first book!

Here is a story I know inside and out, but one that might be new to you: At 25, I was tired. Depleted. I was running on fumes after an intense period of running a blog-turned-business that I had started as a high school senior. It was a small but mighty venture. It went on to grace the (digital) pages of renowned publications. It led me to work with incredible creative people and brands from around the world. It reinforced an enduring commitment to championing small and independent businesses. It made me tough. It made me cry. But more than anything, it made me realize that I was part of an era built on external validation, performance, and speed. It forced me to act so counter to my nature that I truly forgot who I was—living in service of a cultural narrative quietly fraying at the seams.

I'd never imagined myself starting a business. The plan had always been to write, but reflecting on it now, I'm so grateful I didn't pursue it immediately. Though I was creative, I wasn't ready to be a writer. I lacked patience and was conditioned to move fast at all costs. I did that until I exploded.

As I dealt with the wreckage, I began speaking with other creative professionals about these tensions—and the rising slow content movement—which soon gave way to broader explorations of time and pace. The result was the beginnings of Slow Stories, a project whose very nature demands patience (I still produce, edit, write, and host every single podcast episode—and now newsletter). It has meant more to me than anything I've ever created.

I knew Slow Stories would force me to confront unresolved feelings. I knew it would be the thing I wrote before writing anything else. I'd been moving so much and so quickly for so long. I needed a place to set some of this down and untangle a lifetime’s worth of stories. And I did.

But there was a lot I didn't know throughout this process, namely the nuances of publishing a book—a beautiful, chaotic, and singular experience. I learned that things can change when you least expect it, and as a result, you change, too. Slow stories can evolve, and new chapters emerge.

All of this to say, my book is almost ready for you. But first, let me reintroduce her: Meet Slowing.

On sale September 17, 2024. This file of the cover only scratches the surface, as the book will have a lovely tactile quality. More on this soon!

Rest assured—even with its new (and lovely!) title—this book is fundamentally the same. It's still an homage to time, creativity, and pace. It's still a book filled with slow stories (mostly from me but also incredible people like Jezz Chung, Lyn Slater, Fanny Singer, Sophia Roe, Leah Thomas, and more) and creative prompts. And most importantly, it's still a book I'm incredibly proud of.

I'll be sharing even more about Slowing in the coming weeks, but you can now pre-order it anywhere books are sold. I also want to leave you with this: Slowing caters to many literary sensibilities—essay and memoir, creative wellness and personal growth. Language and lyricism are front and center, but there is also a practical component. There are various ways you can engage with and experience Slowing—for that reason, I don't know where exactly you'll find it on the shelf, but I'm confident it will fit somewhere in your home. That's where I wrote Slowing, and that's what it means to me. I can't wait for you to read it!

Pre-orders are important for all authors, but especially first-time authors. They signal interest in the title and help secure placement in bookstores and retailers. I’ve reached a critical point in my work—and life—so your support would mean the world to me.

AMAZON · BARNES & NOBLE · BOOKSHOP.ORG

ADVANCE PRAISE FOR SLOWING

“In a day and age where ‘busy’ is a badge and productivity is paramount, Rachel Schwartzmann’s Slowing is an enchanting and soulful examination of what matters most: time, joy, creativity, and feelings. This is a beautiful book, filled with optimism and light.”
- Debbie Millman, author of Why Design Matters and host of the podcast Design Matters

“The first half-sentence I fell in love with was ‘Worries attach themselves to mailbox keys,’ and everything that followed was a considered balm, though one that provoked such varied thought. Slowing holds awareness and secrets and a close attention, but more than anything, it is such a soft place to land.”
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Ella Frances Sanders

, New York Times and internationally bestselling author and illustrator of five books, including Lost in Translation and Everything, Beautiful

“Rachel Schwartzmann brings a calm, deep, and intentional intelligence to the interviews she does for her [project], Slow Stories. Slowing, an ingeniously interlaced collection of personal essays, interviews, and creative prompts that hit like quiet firecrackers, offers that same steadying feeling. Reading it is the closest I’ve come to experiencing words as focused meditation.”
- Brandon Stosuy, co-founder of The Creative Independent, Editor of Sad Happens, and author of Make Time for Creativity, Stay Inspired, and How to Fail Successfully

“A thoughtful, introspective approach to writing, creating, and being aware of one's own intentions. The accessible daily prompts will help both those who are feeling stuck and those who are looking to dive a level deeper into their work. Rachel Schwartzmann has created a new kind of map which can lead us closer to ourselves.”
- Chelsea Hodson, author of Tonight I’m Someone Else

“Both a reflective guide and a stirring meditation on time, connection, and pace, Slowing shares thoughtful prompts and stories that draw readers inward—to what captures their attention, to what ordinariness sustains them, and to creativity that’s been unfolding within their lives all along.”
- Rainesford Stauffer, journalist and author of All the Gold Stars and An Ordinary Age