SPD: Sad Pen Day (via Pen Addict - Kimberly). If you are every testing out a pen at a pen club, show, or store, please turn the cap first to unscrew. Don’t pull!
First Look at Sunlit Steel: Duluth Shop Exclusive (via Dime Novel Raven). I love it when store/shop exclusives have special meaning, especially when they relate to local landmarks.
The Gentleman Stationer New Discoveries Box: What’s Inside? (via dwrdnet). Derek unpacks our latest Patreon box (and this time enough were left over to briefly hit the main site). We have a lot of fun assembling these.
The London Autumn Pen Show, 2026: My Haul (via Fountain Pen Blog). I love seeing a Waterman Laureate, my first nice fountain pen.
London Pen Show Autumn 2026 (via UK Fountain Pens). London apparently moved to a two-day format this year, which is a first. I personally am becoming a fan of shorter, smaller shows.
Checking In: An Inktober Update (via From The Pen Cup). Are you all participating in this year’s Inktober challenge? Pick a creative challenge each morning during the month of October!
Doomscrolling Alternatives (via Well-Appointed Desk). Most of us in this space are looking to spend less time online. Ana has a great list of alternative suggestions.
In Case You Missed It…
If it’s been quiet around here content-wise, it’s because we’ve been busy running our inaugural On The Paper Trail Live event, which was held this weekend in the Nashville area! You can hear about the details on our most recent podcast episode, which we timed to coincide with the event. This week’s episode also discusses Fountain Pen Terminology, including a deep dive into pen parts and basic pen problems
If you come visit either us or Vanness in-store, you may be able to score an exclusive limited edition On the Paper Trail Onionbrand Leather Notebook Cover or Good Made Better Jester Fountain Pen.
This Week in the T.G.S. Curated Shop
This has been a whirlwind of a weekend! We had the Kaweco DIY machines on-site at T.G.S. Nashville on Thursday, and at the On The Paper Trail Event on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. We also have a full restock of Roterfaden in all sizes, including the TGS_25 A5 Slim version, which has been restocked in all colors. The much-awaited Lochby Daily Folios have arrived, as well as additional stock of the Lochby Field Sling and Field Sling Plus. Finally, Kakimori, Soolla, and our exclusive Rickshaw Bagworks designs return! Be sure to check out each Weekly Drops post for a full list of new arrivals and restocks.
We will be open this week in the TGS Nashville Shop during our normal hours, from 1-6pm on Thursday and Friday and from 10am-5pm on Saturday. We hope to run the Kaweco DIY event all three days, though how long it goes may depend on supply as we are running low on pens after unprecedented demand. I have requested a nib restock from Kaweco and will post updates as I have them.
Visit Us on Patreon
If you enjoy our content (whether here on the main website, Instagram, YouTube Channel or elsewhere), and would like early/extra access to shop releases and special promotions, consider supporting us via Patreon. In addition to exclusive content, Discord access, and online meetups, Patreon supporters have access to one or more initial “practice” episodes of “On the Paper Trail” which have not been publicly released.