The Light at the End of the Line

After the release of Folk is the New Black in 2006, Janis decided not to make another record until she felt she had "an album's worth of impeccable songs". Although she released several private "for the fans" items, and continued touring, she also set up a whiteboard with a constantly rotating list of songs in process, songs she thought would make the cut, and thoughts about subjects she wanted to cover. One thing that became apparent over the years was her strong relationship with her fans, and the sense that she and they had come full circle - from "Society's Child" through "Stars" to "The Light at the End of the Line".

Once Covid-19 caused everyone to postpone their live appearances, she became very busy with the Better Times Project, an effort to help other artists who could no longer support scheduled new releases by appearing onstage or at conventions, or doing book signings, and all the other things that had been the norm to promote new works. For five months she and a volunteer put up a new version by a new artist five days a week, resulting in the current 187 versions (with thirteen still waiting to be posted.)

During that time, she continued to write.