Pam Grossman's Waking the Witch is an all-in examination of pop culture, history, and literature in their connections to women of ill-repute: witches. And it's glorious. Since 2017 Grossman has hosted The Witch Wave, a podcast "where Art is Magick, Magick is Real, and Reality is Stranger than Dreams." Her guests include tattoo artists, dominatrices,... Continue Reading →
After a few solid weeks of sunny, early-morning commutes, today's drive in darkness was a less-than-appealing start to my week. I'm groggy. And I blame Daylight Saving Time.
As the end of Black History Month approached, I wanted to celebrate the genius of a woman of color. I found this desire's fulfillment in Luster by Raven Leilani, a debut novelist. The back cover touts an ingenue, an artist, a self-loather searching for meaning and love in the hustle and bustle and (roach-infested) frenzy... Continue Reading →
Django walked past me this morning, gave me a harsh look, and kept moving until he stationed himself resolutely on the dining room rug. And glared at me. Intuitively, I knew. He shit in the back room. The turd. (Please note: I cleaned the litter box yesterday.) I got a text from Mallory: the furnace... Continue Reading →
If it's possible for the Winds of Change to knock about the chimes of my heart, boy have they! I'm itching for change. I can feel it in my bones. Deep within me. It's resonating through every. single. thing. I contemplate: moving furniture, organizing clothes and dishes and what's in the fridge, trying and trying... Continue Reading →
If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours. --Henry David Thoreau
Savor this book. Let Roshani Chokshi's language roll around on your tongue, and let the underground world of Paris 1880s come to life in your imagination. It's worth it. The Gilded Wolves, a masterful tale of life and death, love and loss, and the inter-workings of The Order, tells the story of five exceptional, though... Continue Reading →
I made it through the weekend, even submitted my final short story for the first ever (!) 48-Hour Short Story Race three hours ahead (!) of the deadline. With anticipation, I refreshed my inbox repeatedly, waiting for the directions and my assigned prompts. I'd read the welcome email a number of times, but the prompts... Continue Reading →
I entered a writing competition, a 48-hour short story race. Maybe I'm making it into more than it actually is, but because I'll be judged and I'll receive feedback, I'm putting some serious level pressure on myself. "No pressure, no diamonds" So. From 7:00 p.m. tonight until 7:00 p.m. Sunday, I'll be plot diagramming, drafting,... Continue Reading →
Cactus League pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training in Scottsdale, AZ in a mere 12 days on February 12. The spring air is slowly, slowly trying to gain momentum. And I can almost hear the crack of the bat. I can almost smell the hot dogs and peanuts. The Cactus League, a debut from... Continue Reading →
shelly. walston. writes. 