We had the good fortune of connecting with Sarah Caton and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Sarah, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
The initial spark for Voices Rising Press came one day while I was taking a shower and thinking. How could I possibly one day get my book published? I worried not only about finding a publisher to take on my work, but also I was afraid that once published, my book—my memoir—would be owned by someone else, someone who they could do anything they wanted with it include alter it in some way.
A song by Ani DiFranco was playing in the background and I recalled how when Ms DiFranco was beginning her music career, she didn’t seek out a record deal, she just started her own record company and put her music out into the world. Eventually she started putting out other artist’s music too. If she could do all that, I thought, why couldn’t I start my own publishing company and publish my books as well?
It was serendipitous (or was it meant to be?) that my friend and soul sister, Shelly, was also working on writing a book at that exact same time. When I shared my idea with her, she asked if she could possibly join me in starting our own publishing company and thus Voices Rising Press was born.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I think a lot of this started with an insatiable creative streak and an intense love of books. As long as I can remember I’ve loved books, so much so that as a child I dreamed of someday being a writer and publishing my own books. But once I got older, that dream seemed impossible. There was never enough money or time to make it a reality, or so I thought. Life was a struggle, a paycheck to paycheck daily struggle.
One day, while entrenched in the daily operations of being a small business owner, I realized the life I wanted wasn’t going to happen unless I made it happen. I recognized that I wasn’t happy running that business because it took so much time and effort that it required giving up being a writer, an artist and a musician. To me, those were the only three things that mattered, the only things I’d ever wanted to do my whole life and it ate away at me that those dreams might never come true.
I remember writing in my journal over and over again things like, “I want to be an artist, a writer and a musician, damn it! And I will!”
There were a lot of ups and downs (but mostly downs) at first. Things were very rocky and uncertain when I ventured out to fulfill my lifelong dream. I first had to give up a business which I’d built for nine years and a marriage that was not working at all. I had to take a giant leap of faith into the unknown and trust that it was meant to be, trust that my stories, my songs, my art are not only meant to be in the world, but that I could support myself with them.
I took those first scary, shaky steps and yes, there were lots of days when I thought “what am I doing?” or “am I crazy?” There were nights when I cried myself to sleep and days when I battled my depression and anxiety on top of feeling like a complete failure.
In the end, what got me through was the constant beckoning of my own heart’s deepest desires: the knowing that I want to be a writer, an artist and a musician. As steady as a drum, I know this to be my truth. I felt my own future books and songs calling to me and saying, “come on! We are waiting for you! Don’t give up!” I got through the hardest part by not giving up, by believing I am not only capable, but worthy of doing these things.
Finally, finally, my dreams are actually starting to come true! I am currently employed as a glass artist where making art is my literal job. I play music in the community and hope to record some of my original songs soon. I recently started a publishing company along with my dear soul sister, and my memoir, Deconstructed, will soon be published! Every day I just have to pinch myself I’m so happy and grateful to be living this life.
I’ve learned that no matter what limitations we set on ourselves, anything is possible. We can stay stuck forever in the life we don’t want or we can work hard and do what it takes to make our dreams come true.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well, I live in Estes Park so first we would have to explore my own little amazing mountain town where there is so much beauty and fun activities. Rocky Mountain National Park is an obvious choice: a good hike, followed by a great brew from Avante-Garde or Lumpy Ridge brewery and dinner at The Rock Inn for some live music and great food. Maybe we’d need to take a day to go climbing together too and then I’d definitely take her to a concert at Red Rocks Amphitheatre!
I’d love to spend a day in Denver, checking out Meow Wolf and the Denver Art Museum and then down to Buena Vista for a soak at Cottonwood hot springs. Stay a day or two in Salida, one of my favorite towns, full of great food, art, mountain biking, hiking, outdoor activities galore.
If there was any time left I’d take her to Pearl Street mall in Boulder for street performances and excellent food, Illegal Pete’s is one of my favorite local restaurants there. And then on to Fort Collins for biking brewery tours and a hike around horsetooth reservoir.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to give a huge, massive shoutout and loads of credit to all the amazing and strong women in my life. From my own daughters who I am so proud of and grateful for, to those who became like honorary mothers to me. And to my soul sisters, thank you for all your love and wisdom! And going out to all the women I’ve never met but who’ve written their stories and told their truth, thank you for the inspiration and the guideposts. Your stories, your actions inspire me and other, and create momentum which we all benefit from. Thank you, thank you.
Website: https://www.voicesrisingpress.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/voicesrisingpress/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VoicesRisingPublishing/
Other: https://facebook.com/AuthorSarahCaton