The Great Photo and Graphics Grab Bag Issue
A jam-packed research resource of goodies and FREE books!!
Welcome all you new Curious People who have subscribed over the past few weeks. Thank you to everyone for your support and for sharing this newsletter.
This publication provides writers and creatives with go-to and how-to resources for creating stronger stories, both fiction and non-fiction. I find the useful research sources so you don’t have to.
Free Books!
As a BIG thank you, I’ve found an incredible free book deal. Dive into this and share it!
This offer comes courtesy of author Paulette Stout (thank you Paulette!). She writes fast-paced contemporary fiction and doesn’t shy away from provocative topics. She’s also a genuine and nice person, and one of the most prolific writers I know.
If you snag any of these books and like them, remember to leave a review on your favorite review site. Positive reviews don’t cost you anything to write and are truly helpful for authors. And hey, you read the story for free.
Let me know what books and authors you like!
One of the reasons I like Substack is because it’s content forward, not graphics heavy. I’m usually all about the words, but I also value the power of images. Social media is still a necessary evil. (I do wish there were a way to stop all the creepy bots that subscribe to my Insta accounts. Why are the bots always men pictured in doctor scrubs with puppies and affirmations of God? That could be the subject of another newsletter.)
Interesting places to find images! (Free too!)
Public Domain
Works (including images, audio, video, and film) in the public domain are free to use. The public domain refers to works that have an expired copyright or anything created by the US government. US tax payers pay for stuff, they get to use it.
Are you thinking wow, I can’t wait to use IRS documents in my next Tik Tok? Don’t judge! The IRS may have content you want to use. (insert sarcasm) I haven’t looked. But, the US government and the 50 states and territories of the United States produce incredible creative work.
Need an image or video of Earth or the moon? - think NASA. How about famous works of art or artifacts? Try the Smithsonian Institute. The Library of Congress is the largest repository of books as well as audio and visual material in the world. Keep reading for all the links.
Different countries have different copyright laws so check before snatching an image from the Louvre or British Museum.
Smithsonian Open Access Click for Video Below
Image credit: Smithsonian
Maybe a little creepy that the spy agency provides social studies lessons?
FBI - G people
Note: not all images in the Library of Congress are in the public domain. Check before you use any.
NASA - spacey and science
NOAA - weather or not…
USDA - food, insects, and more
US. State Department Photo Gallery - people and places
This one is out of this world - NASA’s astronomy picture of the day!
Go look, right now!
March 13: Rainbow Tree. Image Credit & Copyright: Eric Houck
Other Free Image Sites
Find images on these sites below by searching on terms and, moods, such as happy + (something) or by specific objects, backgrounds, or places. You’ll find similar images on some sites. Many will also have a bland stock photo feel. You can take an image and upload it to an editing site like Canva and make something new. Canva also has images and graphics in its free model.
Reusable Art - I love the images on this site, though I haven’t found a great need for them - again, I’m all about the words. This link will take you to the site’s terrific About page with a detailed explanation of copyright usage around the world.
Do you have an interesting source for photos and graphics?
Many universities have access to image libraries available to students, alumni and the public.
Give Credit Where Credit is Due!
While works in the public domain or on free art sites are “free,” PLEASE for the love of all creatives, provide photo credits to the creators if you can or to the site where you found the image.
Final Thoughts
Free art is nice and all, but paying for work through Shutterstock or Getty Images sometimes is best if you want high resolution or speciality images. You can also hire a photographer or purchase single images. You could also take your own photos.
And in case you were wondering about AI generated art - IMHO - just don’t. Here’s an interesting article from Inc. Magazine about some of the questionable ethics surrounding this hot topic.
Coming Up
Mysticism and Tarot in Writing
Writing authentic teens with Dr. Dana Dorman
The Food Writing Issues with a Special How to Write a Cookbook Discount
See you soon!