Hi friend,
June is such a special month. It is the start of summer and it is Pride Month and honestly that combination feels just right to us!
Pride Month matters deeply to us at Heartbound. Our community is made up of so many incredible people across the full spectrum of love and identity and we never take that for granted. This month is a reminder to celebrate loudly, love openly, and hold space for every story that deserves to be told.
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What Was Inside Your May Snail Mail
- A 5×7 postcard illustrated by our very own bookseller, Jessica Allard, created exclusively for Heartbound and inspired by Love is Love!
- 4 stickers
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Get to Know Your May Artist: Jessica Allard
We are so happy to feature Jessica for this month's postcard!
How would you describe your art style in three words?
Simple, ever-changing, colorful
What drew you to this month's theme, and what did you hope readers would feel?
As someone who is bisexual, the prompt of “pride on every page” means a lot to me. Everyone deserves to see themselves in the books they read, but also the art they see. I want those who see this print to see that reading is a way for all of us to come together, be seen for who we are, and to feel valued within the community. It may only be a bookshelf, but everyone deserves their own spot among the stories.
Do you have a favorite romance trope or love story?
Romance trope, I’d have to say who hurt you? I am a sucker for the bad boys (or girls) who will do anything to protect the person most important to them in their life. Also, I know it may be cheesy, but I am a Disney girly at heart, so the story of Aladdin and Jasmine has always been one of my favorite. Not only do I love their love, but I love that Jasmine also knows she does not need a man and is a bad ass bitch.
Where do you usually find inspiration?
Honestly, in what I am hyper fixated on at that moment. It might be something more realistic I make, or something more of a cartoon origin depending on my mood, but I find inspiration in whatever my mind can not let go at the moment.
How do you like to slow down or find softness in everyday life?
As someone with ADHD, this is definitely hard to do! Usually a good hangout with my cat Tobin, curling up on the couch with a good book, taking a walk, or watching a movie with my partner does the trick… until I inevitably get distracted again.
Where can readers find and support your work?
I do not have any art up currently, but I am hoping to maybe continue my journey down digital art lane this summer. You can find my bookish account on instagram @book.ishjessicaa
Any small joy you've been loving lately?
Junk Journaling! I have been overtaken by the junk train and I am loving every moment of the ride :)
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Member Extras
Pride Month Phone Wallpaper
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Behind the Design
This one was such a fun one because we got to feature the work of one of booksellers. We are so incredibly lucky to have team members who are talented and love books as much as we do!
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Here is to love in every form it takes, stories that see you fully, and the kind of romance that reminds you that you have always deserved your happy ending!
With love,
Ayesha & the Heartbound family 🤍