January '25 Madhouse Recap
Seashells, Werewolves, and Hot Tea
Hello Friends and Fiends,
It’s 2025 and the world is (literally) on fire, and I’m over here disassociating and watching Lisa Frankenstein and working on weird stories as a means of survival. How are you all doing? Making good on your New Year’s resolutions so far?
One of my goals for this year is to work on my relationship with nature more. To help with that, I’ve been working with flower, tree, and moss agate, even though smoky quartz will forever be my favorite. I celebrated the wolf moon with homemade curry and a luxurious coffin bath, and then Evie and I also collected snow for sensory activities and then melted some of it down to use for our Imbolc rituals.
As I write to you, I’m currently beachside with Jennifer. We’ve been drinking tea, building puzzles, and collecting seashells while we relax and unwind a bit. We all know I tend to be a bit of a workaholic, so I’m trying to slow down a bit, embrace some of the advantages of working remotely, and all in all just focus more on the things and people that bring me joy.
Speaking of joy! In a few days, I get to meet my nephew Theo! We already have a Nosferatu date planned, and I’m looking forward to lots of snuggles and introducing him to some light film theory. Evie is so excited to meet him, and now that she’s a big three-year-old, she has lots of big cousin responsibilities. For her birthday this year, she and I baked a chocolate cake, went to basketball practice, and then had a family date at the Carnegie Science Center and the Science of Pixar exhibit. She’s also working on her crystal identification and memorization skills so she can teach Theo witchery and read him Dracula.
Bring on the strange and unusual!
On the Writing/Teaching front:
The spring semester is in full swing now. I’m teaching two sections of World Literature and doing two independent studies, one on Weird Lit and the other on Romance. On the graduate front, I have four thesis students and then a section of Editing and Coaching–so it’s a full plate!
I recently signed two contacts: one for poetry and one for my first-ever CNF piece! I’ll share more details when I can, but I’ve been focusing on submitting more and looking for new journals, so hold me accountable, okay?
I judged another round of the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards this month. I have such fun doing this, and it’s always so inspiring to see how brilliant and passionate younger generations are. I read a good bit of science fiction and fantasy this time, too, which made my heart smile!
My poem "Wolfsbane" is in Issue 2 of Beneath the Garden Magazine. Please consider giving it a read! It was inspired by The Wolfman (1941) by George Waggner.
Anthology Announcement: HOWL
I’m excited to announce a ferocious new anthology from some of the fiercest, wildest, most incredible women in horror! Plus, I’m doubly excited to co-edit this anthology alongside Lindy Ryan! Cover and complete ToC reveal to come--and I promise you, it's a glorious pack of incredible women. HOWL with us in November 2025!
This month, I read:
“Mantis” and “The Collectibles” from Julia Armfield’s collection salt slow
Nails and Eyes by Kaori Fujino
That Time I Got Drunk and Yeeted a Love Potion at a Werewolf by Kimberly Lemming
The Bog Wife by Kay Chronister
The Demon’s Bargain by Katee Robert
Follow Me to Ground by Sue Rainsford (re-read)
The Night Guest by Hildur Knútsdóttir
Odd Spirits by S.T. Gibson
Lovesickness: Junji Ito Story Collection by Juniji Ito
Paradise Rot by Jenny Hval
Travels of Terror: Strange and Spooky Spots Across America by Kelly Florence & Meg Hafdahl
On the media front:
Hold Your Breath (2024), Mother’s Instinct (2024)
The Sex Lives of College Girls, Season 3: I was a little bummed when I found out that Renee Raap left the season early on, but I will say that Gracie Lawrence’s character, Kacey, grew on me. I actually balled during the final episode, and I continue to be so grateful that shows like this and Sex Education exist now.
AP Bio (Season 4): I enjoyed this show and this season quite a bit; that said, I’ve always been a fan of Glenn Howerton’s brand of comedy after he won my heart of in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
Goosebumps: I watched the first two episodes, which were fun, but it didn’t grab me the way I hoped it would. I’ll probably finish it because it’s Goosebumps, but I’m not in a hurry to do it.
No Good Deed: I’m a sucker for a good murder drama, especially when it includes some of my favorite faces (Lisa Kudrow, Linda Cardellini, and Luke Wilson). I moved through this pretty fast and enjoyed the subtle comedic nods throughout.
Shameless (Season 3 & 4): Season 3 ended unexpectedly for me. I’m used to humor and shenanigans, but instead, this was dramatic and sad. Every time I think I have a good grasp of this show, it does something that surprises me. Speaking of, in season 4, I had to take some breaks here and there because I felt like I needed to wash my brain. There’s no denying that I’m hooked now, though. Or that Mickey has somehow become my favorite character (although Kevin is up there, too).
Podcasts:
She Wore Black, “Literary Witches and a New Year with Taisia Kitaiskaia,” “Gothic Meets Cozy with Sharon Lynn Fisher” “Do We Still Know How to Read? with Jenny Adams and Jocelyn Codnerm,” “Gothic Fantasy with Hailey Piper.”
Books in the Freezer, “Most Anticipated 2025 Releases”
My Victorian Nightmare, “Sweet Messages of Calm Decay”
The Witch Wave, “Joanna Ebenstein, Founder of Morbid Anatomy and Author of Memoro Mori”
Weird Studies, “Introduction to Weird Studies”
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