Gathered Pages September 2026 Newsletter - The Monthly Gathering

September has been a month of gathering the pieces—and we are getting so close to sending out our first pilot boxes.

We purchased the boxes from EcoEnclose, a local, women-owned company focused on sustainable packaging. We also purchased additional books from The Read Queen, a women-owned bookstore and café in Lafayette. Seeing the books and supplies come together has made this next step feel wonderfully real.

To everyone who has donated: thank you. Your generosity is helping us put books, journals, and opportunities for connection into women’s hands. We’re putting the final pieces in place before the pilot boxes go out, and I can’t wait to share that moment with you.

We also have something to look forward to this winter. We’ve tentatively scheduled a candle-pouring and informal book club fundraiser for December 5. Guests will be able to pour their own candles with guidance from The Salty Wick, a company started by my good friend Amy Rodriguez. The Salty Wick creates clean-burning candles that bring comfort and connection while directing 10% of every sale toward the fight against cystic fibrosis.

While the candles set, we’ll have an informal discussion of Colleen Hoover’s book Maybe Someday. A character in the book lives with cystic fibrosis, connecting our conversation to the cause The Salty Wick supports. Come whether you’ve read the book or simply want to spend time together. Invitations to friends and family will be going out soon. I hope it will be a lovely chance to gather, talk about books, and support two missions close to our hearts.

In the meantime, follow our progress on Instagram at @gatheredpagescollective. If you’d like to help us send more stories into the world, please consider making a donation through the Gathered Pages Collective website. Every gift helps us build these book club kits and bring women together through shared stories.

With gratitude,
Jamie
Founder, Gathered Pages Collective

Connecting women through shared stories.