Hello, kindred spirits. Another dark moon has arrived in my part of the world, which means I’m reappearing in your inbox. Normally, I drag you down whatever odd path I’ve found, filling your head with all my silly thoughts.
Right now, though—I’m in the bramble. In the midst of it. I couldn’t find the path if my life depended on it, and it’s certainly not safe for me to call out your name and invite you deeper into this dark, dark wood.
It’s okay to be lost. I’m finishing my edits on a manuscript that I’ve been working on for three years, so if there’s a good time to go a bit mad, it’s probably right now. There’s a storm on its way in, too—the sky turned that steely, gray-blue color this evening, and rain’s on the forecast for the next two days. It’s good writing weather. (Not good for my body, mind you—my joints doth protest.)
So, all of this is to say that I’m going to stay lost, I think. I’m going to prick myself on some thorns and get my shoes muddy and maybe even tear the edge of my coat. Somewhere in this forest is a meadow—I am as sure of it as I have been sure of anything—and I think there, swaying in the tall grass or sitting atop a lichen-covered rock, is a story. Finished, edited, and ready to enter the world in one way or another.
Until then, friends.
RECENT PUBLICATIONS
if you’re in the mood for more unhinged stuff
“VERIFIED SIGHTING #33: PRAGUE, 1979” - a just-published short fiction piece out at Del Sol SFF Review. Fey kings, magic, rain-slick cobblestones.
STUFF THAT HAS MADE ME FEEL SOMETHING (ANYTHING) LATELY
“AWAKEN THE FIFTH ORDER” by ALLISON CARR WAECHTER: Yes, Allison is one of my dearest friends, but also, the conclusion to her Immortal Orders trilogy fucks pretty hard, and I’m so excited for all of you to read it. I’m always honored when Allison trusts me with her work, and I also love lording over you guys that I’ve already read (and adored) it. Definitely check out this series if you haven’t yet!
A NON-THREATENING INTRO TO POETRY taught by MONICA ROBINSON: Okay, Monica is another of my near and dear kindred spirits, so you could argue this newsletter is just nepotism at this point. Sorry. Monica, a stupidly talented writer, is teaching a workshop on poetry—and it is 100% designed to be for total beginners who think writing poetry might be cool. For $25, it’s an amazing way to learn a new way to express yourself, or brush up your skills if it’s been awhile.
THE WISS: aka the Wissahickon Valley Park. Whatever sanity I still have left, I attribute to the walking paths and running water of this sacred, sacred space. The plot points I’ve noodled here! The character development I’ve stumbled upon! The faces I’ve seen in the trees and the cries I’ve heard on the wind! If you’re local to Philadelphia, or plan to visit, please check out this natural wonder. If you’re far away, I hope you can find yourself deep in the green soon. (Even if it’s sort of just a lot of brown right now here in this hemisphere.)
{That’s all for now. Until the dark moon returns & the next story blooms. Yours, V.}