October '24 Madhouse Recap
October '24 Madhouse Recap
It's the most wonderful time of the year!
Hello Friends and Fiends,
Happy Halloween and Blessed Samhain!
October always seems to go by too quickly, but that’s probably because it’s a haze of pumpkin patches, foggy mornings, and fever dreams. That said, I’m looking forward to going out with a bang tonight as I whip up some autumnal sangria, partake in too much candy, and serve up lots of tricks along with our selected treats.
Looking back on the last four weeks, our little family has done a lot. We participated in Evie’s school’s family night at the pumpkin patch. We went on a hayride, picked a bunch of pumpkins, and Evie played in a bin of corn and just had the time of her life! We also managed to squeeze in the Pittsburgh Zoo’s Jack-o'-lantern Extravaganza. This was so much fun, and watching Evie start a dance circle at the end of the event was worth the price of admission alone.
Dennis and I also celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary (8th year together). We got cocktails and listened to jazz at Con Alma, and then popped over to Kura for some sushi. We had big plans to paint the town red, but as parents to a very energetic toddler, we called it an early night and decided to spend a quiet evening at home instead.
Speaking of cozy! We also embarked on a mini-getaway to the smokey mountains to see the leaves change. Dennis and I have been talking about doing this forever, so checking this off our bucket list felt like a proud moment. We did a lot of shopping in Gatlinburg. Evie took over an arcade, ate her weight in candy, spent the day at the aquarium (she touched a jellyfish!), and then we hiked Kuwohi, which is the highest point in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (6,643 ft).
On the writing/teaching front:
I finished teaching my 16th class at SNHU earlier in the month and am currently teaching a section of Advanced Studies in Genre Literature.
We passed the midterm mark in my undergraduate creative writing course. This is my first time teaching it, so there are some creaks in the attic and some loose floorboards, but the work that’s been coming out of it is strong. I’m working with a handful of students to get some pieces submission-ready–and that’s always a good feeling.
I somehow finished and passed my Abnormal Psychology class. How I managed to do this is a mystery. It feels like a fever dream.
I took part in the SNHU True Crime Series in an event titled "Behind the Shadows: Decoding Jack the Ripper's Secrets from His Victims."
Last month, I wrote about Nick Cave’s exhibit, The Devil–A Life. I finally made some time to listen to his conversation with Philippe Van Cauteren about his process, which you can listen to here.
New editions are in the works for On the Subject of Blackberries. Read more about it here: https://rawdogscreaming.com/new-editions-of-on-the-subject-of-blackberries/
On the Subject of Blackberries was featured and quoted in Ron Charles' BOOK CLUB newsletter! They also excerpted a poem from the collection.
SHADOWS & VERSE: Classic Dark Poems with Celebrity Commentary is now out. Pick up your copy here.
My poem “Witch Body” is in Issue 4 of Witch House via Spiral Tower Press. You can check it out here.
My poem “Sagiitaruius Moon” is in Issue 147 of Space and Time Magazine. You can pick up your copy of the magazine here.
My poem “The Madam” is in the latest issue of Eye to the Telescope. Check it out here.
The cover reveal for the HWA Poetry Showcase XI can be viewed here. The always majestic Lynne Hansen did this year’s artwork, and my poem “The Surgeon’s Song” is tucked within these macabre pages, alongside work from new and familiar voices in the horror community.
The cover reveal for Crystal Lake Publishing’s horror anthology, HOTEL MACABRE VOL.1: TALES OF HORROR is live. You can check it out here. The anthology comes out December 13th on paperback and eBook with a special hardcover edition coming in 2025. My poem “Burial Day” is included within.
My poem “On the Edge of Worlds” will be published in Katabatic Circus, Volume 1 from Angry Gable Press.
This month, I read:
Goodbye Hello: Processing Grief and Understanding Death Through the Paranormal by Adam Berry
The Trial of Lizzie Borden by Cara Robertson
I started reading Love is a Crematorium and Other Tales by Mercedes M. Yardley. I’m such a fan of Yardley’s writing style, so I’m absolutely going to savor this collection and fight the urge to fly through it. This month, I read her stories “Loving You Darkly,” “The Making of Asylum Ophelia,” and “Clocks.”
Rappaccini’s Garden by Jules Jacob and Sonja Johanson
“Solve This One, Mrs. Miller” by Carlie St. George via Nightmare Magazine. I was excited to read another story from St. George, as I enjoyed an earlier short piece from her titled “Tiny Little Wounds.”
On the media front:
Salem’s Lot (2024), Night Swim (2024), Oddity (2024), Apartment 7A (2024), Hell House LLC Origins: The Carmichael Manor (2023), Hell House LLLC (2016), MaXXXine (2024), Girl Haunts Boy (2024), Vamps (2012), IF (2024), and Ali Wong: Single Lady (2024).
Creepshow: Skeleton’s in the Closet; Familiar (S3, E2), “The Last Tsbuburaya” (S3, E3), “Stranger Sings; Meter Reader (S3, E4)
Oddities (Season 1): I currently read The Witch’s Door: Oddities and Tales from the Esoteric to the Extreme, and somehow I missed this show growing up. I thought it would be fun to watch it here and there while going through the book, and I’ve been learning a lot. I love antiques and oddities and collect both, so discovering this all was a real joy.
Destinations of the Damned with Zack Bagans: “The Devil’s Doorway” (S1, E2) and “The Asylum’s Prophet” (S1, E5)
Dragula (Season 6): I really loved episode 4’s Ghost Train challenge (Aurora SERVED). I’ve even been listening to the Boulet’s album here and there, and surprise, it’s giving Halloween! I’ll be curious to see where this goes. I have thoughts.
Penguin (Season 1): I don’t know about you all, but I’m completely obsessed with this series. I was reluctant to watch it because the Penguin isn’t one of my favorite villains, and how could anyone really beat DeVito’s performance, right? Wrong. Not only is Colin Farrell amazing in this series, but the plot forever has me on the edge of my seat, and I would burn down all of Gotham if it meant I could stand in Sofia Gigante’s (Falcone) presence. This is a masterpiece.
Only Murders in the Building (S4, 2024): My cute comfy murder show has once again proven that I will never accurately guess who the villain is in this show.
Podcasts:
She Wore Black, “Dark Academic with Alexis Henderson,” “Pumpkin Books with Rachel Harrison and Stephanie Gagnon from Books in the Freezer” and “Cronelit with Sarah Wendell from Smart Bitches, Trash Books.”
My Victorian Nightmare, “The Wild World of Victorian Vampires,” “The Dawn of Victorian Spiritualism,” “The Legend of Octavia Hatcher” and “Dangerous and Deadly Victorian Fashion”
The Boulet Brothers’ Creatures of the Night, “Littlelegs,” Season 666 Monster Interviews Part 1,” “Season 666 Monster Interviews Part 2,” and “Season 666 Monster Interviews Part 3”
6:66 with Michael Arnzen, “Good Evening” and “The Balloon Score”
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