I was raised Southern Baptist Convention, so, duh, that came with an Evangelical Christmas. I was also lower middle class, growing up. So there was always a roof over our head, food on the table, new clothes each school year. Extracurriculars stretched the budget, but there was usually room. But our cars were used, a… Continue reading Recontextualizing Christmas
Author: pixelsandpins
How to Talk to Your Family About Visual Novels
Originally written for VN Game Den in December 2021 Oh no. Youโve done it.The conversation had been pleasant enough when you all sat down for a holiday dinner with the family. Then Aunt Sheryl (because isnโt it always Aunt Sheryl?) turns to you and asks what seems like an innocent question. โWhat have you been… Continue reading How to Talk to Your Family About Visual Novels
The Erosion of Identity in the Rise of Corporate Decor
My grandmother passed a couple of months ago, preceded by my grandfather in 2007. Over the past decade as sheโs moved in with different daughters, the family has been collectively downsizing her belongings and spreading them out to whoever would most benefit from them.I have two bookshelves that are designed to hold mass market paperbacks… Continue reading The Erosion of Identity in the Rise of Corporate Decor
I used to be on a Rocky Horror Picture Show Shadowcast
I was part of the cast and the technical directore for a Rocky Horror Picture Show shadowcast for just under three years, fifteen years ago. The cast I was on did a performance literally every Saturday night at midnight, and I was at almost every show during that time. Yeah, I was kind of insane,… Continue reading I used to be on a Rocky Horror Picture Show Shadowcast
Media Piracy Isn’t Inherently Revolutionary, You Weirdos
So weโre in the middle of an organized boycott of Disney products because of their response to government pressure to take Jimmy Kimmel off the air. Great cool. Kimmelโs back on the air as I write this, so it looks like it might have worked. But honestly, who knows! Yay government overreach! In those exact… Continue reading Media Piracy Isn’t Inherently Revolutionary, You Weirdos
On the Passing of a Matriarch
Yesterday, September 10th, 2025, I received the call from my mom that my maternal grandmother had died. This is where I have to frame this properly because my grandmother hasnโt been Granny for a number of years, at this point. The past few years, in particular, it was a genuine surprise every time she managed… Continue reading On the Passing of a Matriarch
Peacemaker: The Deconstruction of a Pathetic Asshole
With the new season coming out and the sort of emergence of the new DC movie continuity, I was likeโฆoh, I should watch Peacemaker. I had seen The Suicide Squad and Creature Commandos, so it was an easy show to roll into, already being familiar with the character. Binged it up through the first episode… Continue reading Peacemaker: The Deconstruction of a Pathetic Asshole
I Don’t Need to Tell You Censorship Laws are Bad, but Do You Realize How Bad They Really Are?
There was this trend of conversation on BookTok for a bit, but outside that I still occasionally see conversations about wanting a book rating system similar to the MPAA or ESRB. I've said in a TikTok before, and I'll say again, "no you don't." Especially not in the current climate when so many books are… Continue reading I Don’t Need to Tell You Censorship Laws are Bad, but Do You Realize How Bad They Really Are?
July Reads and Reviews (2025)
For updates on my own books delivered to your inbox, sign up for your newsletter of choice. Queer Fantasy :: Sci-Fi Romance What Moves the DeadT. KingfisherHorror, Novella (2022) โฆas well asโฆ โThe Fall of the House of UsherโEdgar Allen PoeHorror, Short Story (1839) From Goodreads: When Alex Easton, a retired soldier, receives word that their childhood… Continue reading July Reads and Reviews (2025)
The Summer of Capes and Worldbuilding
Iโm a fantasy and science fiction writer, so, of course I study worldbuilding. As opposed to the worldbuilding itself, I rather like to examine the implementation of it. My favorite style tends to be โIโll tell you what you need to know for the next little bit, then move on.โ I donโt particularly for long… Continue reading The Summer of Capes and Worldbuilding