A new kind of mystery box
a creative blind box from the desk of @ekzanker_writes
Every month, you’ll receive one exclusive writing piece, accompanying visuals, and a few small bonuses, including collectible cards available for a limited time. These writing pieces can be anything from extended poetry and prose to letters and curated passion project reports. These drops are separate from my Instagram content, featuring work that I’ve spent a longer time assembling, designing, and editing. They will only be accessible through an (em)bers subscription, currently available at $5/month (cancellable at any time).
Why start (em)bers?
I started my Instagram account in late 2025, mainly to build an audience that would be interested in my book. Since then, my strategy for creating online content to achieve that goal has been meandering and experimental. Since I hope to traditionally publish my fantasy book, it’s been difficult for me to share too much detail about the book itself. That’s where my poetry detour started.
In November 2025, I re-discovered an old poetry blog I had maintained in undergrad. I polished some of the work there, published it on IG, and was surprised to see the positive reception. Since IG is a visual platform, and I really enjoy photography, I then blended my written work with visuals that I’ve taken either on my phone or Canon.
It was all a great experience, but I recognize that the type of content that I enjoy making most isn’t best suited for the IG platform, where quick and catchy content grows best. (I tried a few reels and didn’t love the experience; I really don’t like being on camera.) On top of that, it takes me quite some time to make the content that I post on IG – time that takes away from my main project: my book.
In lieu of this and the subscription costs I’ve incurred to create the visuals in my posts, I’ve decided to make slower, more intentional content that I can drop once a month instead of 2x/week. This is yet another experiment on my journey to becoming a full-time writer, and if you’re still reading, I appreciate you taking the time to learn about my journey
A small (em)bers sample drop:
Welcome to this month’s (em)bers drop! I’m so glad to have you here! This month, we’re getting crafty and doing so in a way that would make Mother Nature proud! 🙂
Here, I would typically leave a closing note and details about the extras available this month. For example, for the April 2026 (em)bers drop, I mailed out physical letters with extras inside! Also, there is typically far more text to accompany the picture collages featured above. I’m just keeping this one small since it’s a sample.
I also like to feature interactive content in my drops, such as new characters and asking members for feedback on who they’d like to see more of. I am very open to suggestions and feedback from (em)bers members! Just shoot me a message, and I’ll get back to you ASAP.
Thank you so much for checking out my sample drop! Until next time <3 – Emily (&Fiona the Frog!)
(em)bers FAQ
(em)bers is a monthly subscription that gives you access to creative blind boxes that I design. These blind boxes take the kind of work I currently offer on Instagram and expands it. For example, in each drop, you’ll receive one exclusive finished piece—poetry or prose or something else entirely—plus occasional extras from the desk: notes, audio, photos, and other glimpses of what forms behind the ekzanker_writes account.
It can be poetry or prose, or even something completely different. It may be a letter, an extended collage, a curated presentation of notes on a passion project of mine, a walk through a cool place that I’ve visited, or really anything else that falls under the umbrella or writing and art. Each monthly drop will present something new, making the (em)bers experience something truly novel.
All (em)bers drops are shared as members-only posts on Ko-fi. Ko-fi supporter-only content is visible to logged-in supporters/members whose account is linked to a valid transaction. If there are downloadable extras in a given month’s drop, they will be available for free to members in my KoFi shop.
Yes—cancel anytime from your Ko-fi account billing/subscriptions.
The collectible card is a card I design that fits the theme of that month’s drop. I will make them available in my Kofi shop as soon as I make a monthly drop. They will only be available for 3 months from the drop date, so be sure to collect them before they’re gone.
3/17/26 update: for the month of April 2026, I am making the collectible card available in sticker format in limited quantities. All members will receive them in the mail.