Blue Cactus Press

Blue Cactus Press Publishing that moves us from words to action, by writers from historically marginalized groups.
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In case you hadn’t heard, we’re hosting an erotica writing workshop 💖RECLAIMING THE EROTIC: WRITING S*X WITH HONESTY AND...
11/17/2025

In case you hadn’t heard, we’re hosting an erotica writing workshop 💖

RECLAIMING THE EROTIC: WRITING S*X WITH HONESTY AND POWER

🖤Date/Time: December 7th| 11am – 12:30pm
🖤Location: 1901 Jefferson St, Office #105, Tacoma, WA
🖤Cost: FREE, $25 Suggested Donation
🖤RSVP required (register at bluecactysoress.com)

This 90-minute workshop is facilitated by Rae Miqueli. Rae invites writers to explore how to write about s*x and intimacy with honesty, confidence, and care. Together, we’ll read short examples of sensual writing, discuss how language shapes desire and power, and use guided prompts to uncover the s*xual stories we tell ourselves — and how they inform our creative work. Rather than shying away from discomfort or relying on euphemism, we’ll practice writing that feels alive, grounded, and true to the body. The workshop will close with a small, optional salon where participants can share a brief piece or reflection on what they discovered. All levels and genres are welcome — whether you’re writing fiction, poetry, or memoir, this is a space to explore the erotic with curiosity, craft, and courage.

Rae Miqueli is a writer and disability activist whose work explores memory, rupture, and the soft violence of survival. They hold an MFA from a university in Dublin, Ireland, where the lyricism of the land continues to echo in their voice. Their writing has been featured in The Fat Zine, and their chapbook Purge was awarded the John Pierce Chapbook Prize in 2022. They currently live in Tacoma, WA.

10/28/2025

Join us for the book launch and celebration of Gladiator: Modern Parables for Building Resilience and Mental Toughness by Philip “Sharp Skills” Jacobs ( )! This is Phil’s 5th book, and a cornerstone of his work at to help people become better, stronger versions of themselves.

We’re celebrating on November 23rd from 1-3pm at the Blue Cactus Press studio in downtown Tacoma.

Do us a solid and RSVP using the link in our bio. Anyone who RSVPs can get the book at a 20% discount, as well as enjoy a special discount on anything in the studio during the event.

Bring your friends and family, give Phil a hug, and celebrate this book with us! It’s all about overcoming hardships and everyday challenges to rise up and become a stronger, more resilient, and self-actualized person. I highly recommend it.

Join Blue Cactus Press and Rebel Firm in celebrating the release of Philip Sharp-Skills Jacobs' new book, Gladiator: Par...
10/16/2025

Join Blue Cactus Press and Rebel Firm in celebrating the release of Philip Sharp-Skills Jacobs' new book, Gladiator: Parables for Building Resilience & Mental Toughness.

The book launch will be held on November 23rd, from 1-3pm at the Blue Cactus Press studio on UWT campus in Tacoma.

We're asking folks to please RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gladiator-book-release-and-signing-tickets-1826725207269

Those who RSVP can get a signed copy of the book at a 20% discount, as well as a gift voucher from Blue Cactus Press for 20% off in-store purchases that day!

Come through to celebrate the release of Philip “Sharp Skills” Jacobs’ 5th book in this intimate event filled with good energy, real conversation, and community connection.

IMPORTANT EVENT DETAILS:
- Date/Time: November 23rd, 1-3pm
- Location: Blue Cactus Press (1901 Jefferson Ave, #105, Tacoma, WA 98402)

- RSVP requested here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gladiator-book-release-and-signing-tickets-1826725207269

Join Blue Cactus Press,  and  for Laying Down Stories: a writing and emotional processing workshop for BIPOC birthworker...
10/08/2025

Join Blue Cactus Press, and for Laying Down Stories: a writing and emotional processing workshop for BIPOC birthworkers and birthing folx.

This workshop will be held on Sunday, October 19th, from 10am to 1pm.

The workshop will include guided writing prompts, verbal storytelling, and body-based somatic exercises focused on releasing stories, energy and emotions surrounding birth work.

The workshop will be facilitated by:vega.writer of Blue Cactus Press and .lee.grantham rantham of Center for Indigenous Midwifery!

Workshop Location: Southside Commons (3518 S. Edmunds St, Seattle, WA)

For more information, follow the QR code!

Join us this Saturday and Sunday for the Tacoma Studio Tour! Saturday, October 11th, we’re opening up our writing club t...
10/08/2025

Join us this Saturday and Sunday for the Tacoma Studio Tour!

Saturday, October 11th, we’re opening up our writing club to folks who identify from any ethnic/racial background. But/and we ask that you please still RSVP using the link on our events page at bluecactuspress.com.

During writing club, we’ll also have visiting author .g.shore from lead us in a writing exercise.

Northwest Wisdom, a spiritual healing and social justice non profit based out of Oregon, will be in the studio all day, from 11am to 5pm, introducing folks to their community work and offerings.

Sunday, the good forks from Antithesis Press, an emerging publishing house, will be in the studio from 11am to 5pm to meet community members and spread the word about what they hope to achieve with their press.

Sunday we’ll also be putting zines together, selling books, and answering any publishing questions folks bring to the table.

We hope you’ll join us! 👋🏼

If you want to support the local literary ecosystem, including authors, artists, designers, editors, publishers, and boo...
09/25/2025

If you want to support the local literary ecosystem, including authors, artists, designers, editors, publishers, and booksellers, sign up for the Blue Cactus Press membership program today!

In addition to the books we've published so far this year (check out the photos!), which include a journal, fiction novella, and an anthology of poetry and prose, we've got more a few more titles headed to members' mailboxes this year, and we want you to have them!

Head to our patreon page to find the membership tier that works best for you!

https://www.patreon.com/c/bluecactuspress

Our fiction pile is growing! Check out each of these heartrending, eerie, and thought provoking books on our website or ...
09/25/2025

Our fiction pile is growing! Check out each of these heartrending, eerie, and thought provoking books on our website or at your favorite local indie bookstore! Every purchase puts a great story in your hands, money back in the hands of local authors, artists, designers, and editors, and strengthens our local literary ecosystem!

Hi folks! Please join Blue Cactus Press, Chavitos Nature Program, and King's Books in celebrating the publication of Chi...
09/24/2025

Hi folks! Please join Blue Cactus Press, Chavitos Nature Program, and King's Books in celebrating the publication of Chispas by Meag Diamond!

We're celebrating on October 5th at 11am, at King's Books in Tacoma. You can preorder the book at kingsbookstore.com, or pick up your copy at the event.

Here's more about the book:
Chispas is a groundbreaking guide for educators, caregivers, and community builders seeking to revolutionize how children learn and grow—rooted in nature, equity, and intuition. Drawing from her lived experience as a teacher, mother, and founder of the Chavitos Nature Program, Meag Diamond offers a deeply personal and practical toolkit for those ready to step outside conventional education models and reimagine what it means to teach and nurture. Blending memoir, pedagogy, and reflection prompts,

Chispas invites readers to reconnect with their inner wisdom, prioritize holistic wellness, and foster community-based, culturally-responsive learning environments. Each chapter explores essential themes such as honoring the child, embracing unstructured play, welcoming conflict as a tool for growth, and realigning education with the rhythms of nature. Whether you are starting a nature-based program, raising children in alignment with your values, or seeking new models of leadership and education, Chispas lights the way toward a more compassionate, joyful, and liberated path forward. Order the book here.

Meag Diamond is a Cedarsong-certified Forest Kindergarten teacher. For 17 years she has taught in the public and private school environments in Washington and in Lagos, Nigeria. Before starting Chavitos, she spent six years at a local public Montessori school as a Lower Elementary Teacher. Meag holds her National Board Certification in Literacy and also possesses a Montessori certification. Meag is passionate about plant medicine and social justice. She has started growing herbal medicine in her wild garden and uses them in her home apothecary. She and her husband tend to land and have been learning to align with the land’s vision and destiny. Meag dreams about helping others start their own nature-based education schools.

Chispas by Meag Diamond is officially out, published by BCP's imprint, Vega Books! Chispas: A Toolkit for Families, Educ...
09/16/2025

Chispas by Meag Diamond is officially out, published by BCP's imprint, Vega Books!

Chispas: A Toolkit for Families, Educators, & Community Members of Nature-based Education sparks a bold reimagining of education. It offers parents, educators, and homeschoolers practical tools and soulful guidance to create nature-rooted, play-centered, and deeply connected learning environments.

Find out more about Chispas, and purchase a copy for yourself or someone in your community, here: https://bluecactuspress.com/product/chispas/

Y’all, check out this cutie cutie upcoming events board the good folks at  made for the BCP studio space! Ahhh! I am obs...
09/10/2025

Y’all, check out this cutie cutie upcoming events board the good folks at made for the BCP studio space! Ahhh! I am obsessed! Thank you to all the folks at Q***r Tacoma Makers for making this happen.

Barters are the best! I can’t wait to fill this up with event flyers for our fall and winter seasons!

We’re excited to announce the book launch celebration of Chispas by Meag Diamond, the founder of Chavitos Nature Program...
09/09/2025

We’re excited to announce the book launch celebration of Chispas by Meag Diamond, the founder of Chavitos Nature Program!

Join us at on Sunday, October 5th, at 11am, to congratulate on this achievement, learn more about outdoor education, and find out how you can realign your life and family with nature!

Tag a friend you think could benefit from this book! To preorder, head to kings bookstore.com!

Address

1901 Jefferson Street , Office #105 (Tioga Bldg)
Tacoma, WA
98402

Opening Hours

Thursday 12pm - 5pm
Friday 12pm - 2pm
Saturday 12am - 5pm
Sunday 12pm - 3pm

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Why Pre-Orders Matter

Here's why you should pre-order bad-ass, regionally crafted books instead of waiting until they officially hit the market:

🌵 When community members (that's you) pre-order a book from an independent bookstore, booksellers are better able to gauge market interest and order accordingly. In turn, this helps small publishers (that's us) determine how many books to print before we launch (as opposed to finding out afterwards and potentially running out of copies at the launch event , or within a few weeks of printing ... cough cough). 🌵 Pre-ordering books also helps authors by increasing their odds of making it onto bestseller lists, potentially opening doors for future book contracts, and increasing their rankings on Goodreads and other influential literary sites. All of these are important components for an author's long-term market success.

🌵 Lastly, when community members pre-order books directly from publishers, we're able to ensure we have enough capital to cover printing costs (one of the biggest expenses of a book's production costs), and focus on other aspects of publishing (like setting up cool events and readings for you, dear readers).