The Box Under the Bed and Inside the Box
The Box Under the Bed is a serialized contemporary family fiction novel delivered one chapter at a time on Substack.
Inside the Box is its companion series, filled with printable keepsakes of places, characters, or meaningful objects from the story, behind-the-scenes stories, and other surprises inspired by each chapter.
The box under the bed isn’t the only box in the novel. And because my creativity rarely stays in one lane, I created Inside the Box for you to open after each chapter is published.
Since the novel is narrated by a spunky grandmother who goes by Nana, so is Inside the Box. You’ll hear from Nana and she’ll include little keepsakes she thinks you might like. Then I’ll step in with behind-the-scenes stories, the inspiration behind the artwork, and a few notes from my writing desk.
The keepsakes naturally reflect the people, places, and moments from each chapter, so each digital box has its own theme.
Here’s a little peek:
One month’s theme might be inspired by the cozy mountain town where the story takes place. Another could feature the tropical photos a character sends home from his travels. A different theme might revolve around coffee shops and independent bookstores. Others explore herbs, home remedies, crystals, and all things a little witchy. Some celebrate the love of music, while others are inspired by writing, photography, family secrets, grief, hope, and a little bit of spice.
If reading a chapter is like visiting the characters, Inside the Box is like staying a little longer after everyone else has gone home.
What’s Inside the Box?
It’s a fun way to spend a little more time with the characters. Imagine we’re sitting around their kitchen table being a part of their story. That’s what Inside the Box is for.
It’s like opening one of those snail mail subscriptions that arrives at your house each month. But instead of showing up in your mailbox, it arrives by email.
Like any good box, you never know what you’ll find inside. It could include:
Stories
Behind-the-scenes stories from my writing desk
Inspiration behind chapters or characters
Character notebook pages
Printables
Bookmarks
Recipe Cards
Note cards with artwork and inspirational messages
And More
Spotify Playlist
Character’s Mantra
Visual keepsakes of places, characters, or meaningful objects from the story
Other Surprises
Sometimes a chapter gives me new ideas, so I won’t always know what’s going into the next box until I’m finished writing it. It might be something that isn’t even on this list.
Your First Keepsake
Open your first keepsake by downloading this printable bookmark.
Print it to use as a bookmark, place it in your keepsake box, use it for a scrapbooking project, or put it on your fridge for a little pick-me-up.
I took this photo a few years ago in the small town where I live and it reminds me that:
Even if a place doesn’t feel like home, there’s still beauty worth noticing.
Why I Created Inside the Box
The process of creating this novel has brought unexpected personal growth, but creating the digital boxes has been the most fun I’ve had in a long time. I don’t think I’ve stretched my imagination this much for any other post, book, ebook, blog, website, or anything else I’ve worked on.
There are so many details I’ll never have enough room for in the book, but they still deserve to be told. I’ve spent so much time with these characters that I know their entire life stories, their favorite foods, pet peeves, what keeps them awake at night, their deepest darkest secrets and desires, and how they move through their day.
That’s why I created an experience to go along with the story. It gives me a place to share those things with you and show you some of the places, characters, and meaningful objects.
One more thing. I can’t just skip past the metaphor of Inside the Box. A physical box can hold keepsakes and memories. But what do we hold in our hearts? Hopes, dreams, love, anger, worries, grief, regrets. Those are the things we all carry with us, and they’re just as much a part of this experience.
About Lori K Today
I go by Lori K Today because I have so many rotating creative obsessions that I never know what the day will bring. Well… none of us really do though, do we?
My brain isn’t typical. It’s always full of stories, characters, and random ideas.
So, where’s Lori K Today?
Today, I decided it’s time to share what I’ve been up to lately. Creating these digital boxes gives my imagination somewhere to go. I hope you’ll enjoy opening them as much as I enjoy creating them.
How It Works
Most of us open our inbox expecting bills, promotions, and other unwanted emails. I wanted to create an experience that feels like opening a thoughtful little gift each month. This serialized novel and its companion posts create an immersive reading experience.
I hope to publish a new chapter and its companion post each month, but creativity doesn’t always arrive on a schedule. Your subscription supports my work, giving me the freedom to create thoughtfully rather than rush to meet a deadline. Whether it’s a new chapter, an Inside the Box post, a different story, a recipe, or another surprise from Nana, each one is created with care.
Every chapter is free to read on Substack. Visit anytime, or subscribe for free to have each chapter delivered to your inbox.
Paid subscribers also receive:
The free chapters delivered to your inbox
Access to our private Chat
The Inside the Box companion posts delivered the week after each chapter
Subscriber-only printable keepsakes and downloads as they’re released
The introduction of the novel begins in September. A week later, I’ll publish a free preview of Inside the Box so everyone can see what paid subscribers receive after each chapter.
If you’re subscribed (free or paid), it’ll come to your inbox so you won’t miss it.
While You’re Here
While you’re waiting for The Box Under the Bed series to begin, have a look at some of the stories and recipes I’ve shared over the years.
The Box Under the Bed grew out of a 12 part mini-series I wrote here on Substack almost two years ago called Miles Apart. If you’d like to see where the idea began, you can start here:
Miles Apart Series: Ana's Handwritten Letters to Charlie
Miles Apart Series: Ana's Handwritten Letters to Charlie
If you could open a digital keepsake box inspired by a story, what would you hope to find inside?
More from Lori K Today: Stories, Novel, and Recipes.
