Tuesday, August 1, 2023

July '23 Madhouse Recap: Writing Stories, Thinking About Life, & Devouring Graphic Novels

Hello friends and fiends–

I spent July thinking and traveling and meditating on my goals and what I want to accomplish in the second half of 2023. Do I have answers? Of course not. But I feel like I’m getting closer to some solutions. I read a meme or something recently that said due to not wanting to, I will not be, and that resonated with me a lot. I feel like I’ve been filling everyone else’s cups for years, and it’s getting time for me to start worrying about bringing joy and less stress into my life for a while. 

That said, we started the month off with a family trip to Hilton Head where Evie got to see the ocean, take her first swim, play with turtles, and eat her weight in flounder and hush puppies. Dennis and I even got to steal away to Savannah again for cocktails, a nice dinner, and a walk in the cemetery. It was a really beautiful night out and I have a feeling that we’ll be back to that city again soon.

After vacation, we started preparing for Dennis’s new job and the upcoming 2023-2024 academic year. We’ve been working with Evie to get her into more of a routine as things change around her, so fingers crossed for smooth sailing (it won’t be, but hey, a girl can dream, right?). I’ll be teaching a lot in the fall, so if I seem to be a bit crazier than usual, just roll with it and usher me into a silent room when I need to scream, okay?

As you read this, I’m likely en route to the WCSU Summer residency where I'll be lecturing, participating in panels, and doing a reading. I’m so looking forward to this time to meet my students, chat about writing, and work on some projects of my own. I have a hefty to-do list I’m looking to accomplish while I’m there and I’m hoping that the solo time away will be good for my head and my spirit. Also, I have a bunch of movies I really want to watch, and I’m excited to be able to put a dent in my list while I’m away!

Other than that, I’ve been writing like crazy. Mostly fiction, but some essays, too. I’m also preparing for the release of my next poetry collection, On the Subject of Blackberries, which is set to debut in September. If you’re interested in reviewing the collection, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. We’ll be doing a cover reveal soonish so keep an eye on my social media pages for more announcements regarding that.

On the writing/teaching front:

  • This month for LitReactor, I wrote an open letter to Charlotte Perkins Gilman on her birthday. You can read it here.
  • I’m honored to report that my poem “Bride, Woman, Body” is set to be published in the HWA Poetry Showcase, Vol. X. This piece was inspired by Elsa Lanchester’s portrayal of The Bride of Frankenstein. Full TOC announcement here.
  • This month, Lee Allen Howard stopped by The Madhouse to talk to us about the intersection of horror and romance and how it factors into his latest novel THE COVENANT SACRIFICE, which is now available.
  • The Price of a Small Hot Fire by EF Schraeder launched last month and I’m so excited for you all to read it. Pick up your copy from Raw Dog Screaming press today!
  • The cover reveal for Best Horror of the Year, Vol. 15 is live! Check it out above. This will be my second time being included in the TOC and it just feels completely unreal to me. I'm immensely grateful.
  • I've decided to join Substack to send out my monthly newsletter. Feel free to follow me there for monthly updates, reading recommendations, and other weird musings and soul swaps. If you’re already reading this there, then hi! It’s lovely to have you. If you’re reading this via my blog, hi! I’ll still be updating this space, but there will be more fun happening over on Substack so be sure to find me there, too.
  • There’s still time to sign up for the next iteration of Witch Lit happening on August 8th via LitReactor. Read more about the class here.
  • Shakespeare Unleashed released itself into the work via Crystal Lak Entertainment. This is the second book in the Unleashed series and I’m beyond honored to have a Macbeth-inspired sonnet inside. You can pick up your copy here.


This month, I read:
  • The Okay Witch by Emma Steinkellner
  • The Okay Witch and the Hungry Shadow by Emma Steinkellner
  • Hollow by Shannon Watters, Branden Boyer-White, and Berenice Nelle
  • Coven by Jennifer Dugan, Kit Seaton
  • Crumbs by Diane Stirling
  • Seance Tea Party by Reimena Yee
  • Unfamiliar by Haley Newsome
  • The Witch Boy by Molly Knox Ostertag
  • The Salt Grows Heavy by Cassandra Khaw
    • Their short story “And In Our Daughters, We Find a Voice” also completely blew me away. I’m definitely keeping this in mind for a future class I’m planning.
  • Nineteen Claws and a Blackbird by Agustina Bazterrica
  • Gory Details: Adventures From the Dark Side of Science by Erika Engelhaupt
  • In the Dream House: A Memoir by Carmen Maria Machado
  • The Camera My Mother Gave Me by Susanna Kaysen
  • My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh
  • Lure by Tim McGregor
  • The Giver by Lois Lowry
    • “Ever After” by Lois Lowry: this was an essay that she had written about the ending of the book, the continuation of the series, her inspiration for the book, and her continued hopes for it. It was really beautiful and I’m happy it was included in the edition I read.


On the media front: 

  • Renfield (2023), The Giver (2014), Knock at the Cabin (2023), The Ritual Killer (2023)
  • Cruel Summer (2023): Episode 9’s ending? Jesus! I NEED TO KNOW.

  • What We Do in the Shadows (2023): Have I mentioned how much I adore this show? Lazlo is really shining for me this season. I’m looking forward to seeing where this goes.

  • I started watching Tin and Tina on Netflix, and I made it about 30-40 minutes in, but as soon as the kids showed up next to the dog, I panicked. I went to doesthedogdie.com and after reading a bit more about what happens, I tapped out. I don’t know if I’ll go back and finish this one, but if I do, I’ll report back.

Podcasts: 

Also as a reminder, if you enjoy and appreciate the work we do here in The Madhouse, you can show your support for the blog by "buying a coffee" (or two!) for our madwoman in residence: me! As always, I thank you for your time and support and I look forward to serving you another dose of all things unsettling and horrifying soon.

Best,

Stephanie
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