Recently I declared a particularly pleasant, sunny day to be a “Day of Enjoyment”. I decided not to think very much about global problems: the “polycrisis” of climate, biodiversity loss, senseless wars, terrible political leaders and the like. I listened to birdsong. Messed around in the garden. Watched grebes parenting their young in the local … Continue reading The Art of Looking Away
Arts & Literature
“I will write if I survive”: An evening with Ukrainian author Alina Sarnatska
How much do you know about what it’s like to be a writer in Ukraine? Nothing? Then you are like me — before last night. Recently, I became a member of the Swedish Writers’ Union (SWU), and I immediately began receiving emails to interesting events, including an invitation to a talk and mingle with Ukrainian … Continue reading “I will write if I survive”: An evening with Ukrainian author Alina Sarnatska
I Joined the Swedish Writers Union
I write primarily in my mother tongue, English. So why was it important to me to join the Swedish Writers Union? And, once admitted, why did it feel like an honor? My written Swedish is quite fluent, but it is “bureaucrat Swedish,” honed by years working as a consultant or as a director in a … Continue reading I Joined the Swedish Writers Union
Why I wrote “American Troubadour” — and why the song is more relevant than ever
If you want to listen first and then read the article, go to Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Music (and other services). Or listen free at this website: AmericanTroubadour.com. Every time I tried to tell you the words just came out wrong, so I’ll have to say “I love you” in a song. — Jim Croce, … Continue reading Why I wrote “American Troubadour” — and why the song is more relevant than ever
I got sick and rediscovered Paul Simon
Fever, chills, and all the frills – that’s what it took to get me to watch the two-part documentary “In Restless Dreams: The Music of Paul Simon” (highly recommended). My own restless dreams were of the feverish variety, lacking any sense or plot. Watching this masterful history of a phenomenally gifted songwriter, during short moments … Continue reading I got sick and rediscovered Paul Simon
Launching a new book: “Embraces, Vincent”
I am so pleased to announce the publication of this new book by my friend Vincent Williams (1933-2017). I had the pleasure and honor of editing it, together with Vincent’s daughter, Alexina Thorén Williams (who initiated and led the project). Purchase the book on Amazon.com or Amazon.se Vincent was a truly unique, wonderful person and … Continue reading Launching a new book: “Embraces, Vincent”
Why I am a stubborn optimist
Issue #10 of my personal newsletter, Words & Music My North Star platform at the Greenbiz.com website is no more. But they still publish columns by me when i send them. You can see the whole archive here. Maybe this column will be my last one -- I have been writing columns for a long … Continue reading Why I am a stubborn optimist
Harder but not impossible: Covid-19 and the Sustainable development goals
Issue #9 of my personal newsletter, Words & Music After a year of quiet, I finally published a new column on my North Star platform at the Greenbiz.com website. This column was also published in a Swedish version, here. Plus there's an afterword, on music, and some news about book translations. Here's the column: In … Continue reading Harder but not impossible: Covid-19 and the Sustainable development goals
Reflections on (Covid) Ephiphany
Stockholm, Old Town (Gamla Stan), 6 Jan 2021 I confess that I went to a museum today. Stockholm’s Fotografiska lets in just 8 people every half hour, for 90-minute slots. There are never more than 24 people in the whole museum of photography, which occupies a large former warehouse at the docks. So I felt … Continue reading Reflections on (Covid) Ephiphany
Covid side-effects: two books, two stories
Covid-19 has had many side unexpected side-effects. While I have so far avoided the virus (I think), I have not avoided certain side-effects — like having more time to write. The result was two books, two stories. Story 1 Last summer, I completed a new book. It is a very unusual book, even by my … Continue reading Covid side-effects: two books, two stories
Alan AtKisson 