Hiya
I have been spreading myself a little thin these days, which is never a good thing because that way lies burnout.
But I have also accomplished or am in the process of accomplishing a bunch of things.
Marking stuff off my to-do list always gives me a solid blast of WOOP YEAH.
My new poem is in Shoreline of Infinity 25
The Death and Resurrection of Mantis-Class Destroyer ‘Sentimental Journey’, previously ‘General Patty Styne’, deceased is what happens when you turn a dead general into a ship mind, then pump them full of Frank Sinatra tracks and send them off to die over and over again in a pointless war.
Listen to ol' blue eyes himself while reading, for full mood immersion.
I’ve written some mental health tips for writers
Most of you probably know I’ve struggled — and still struggle — with depression and anxiety, among other issues. I can’t speak for everyone, but I have some tips that have helped me.
Sometimes I need reminding, so the post is as much for me as it is for you.
Becoming a (smol) Beast
Related to this — although I do not like it when people tell depressed folk to ‘just get out and exercise’ as if it were a cure-all — I’ve found a new workout routine.
I believe exercise can help your mental health a great deal once you are able to focus on it. For some people, it may be enough, but never let anyone bully you into not taking the medication you need.
For the last month and a half, I have not been able to do much weight lifting as my wrist is injured. I discovered Caroline Girvan’s free workouts on youtube, and they have been a blast! I’m using much lighter dumbbell weights to keep from stressing out my wrist, but I end up covered in sweat anyway.
Highly recommend her channel!
Art commissions are open again!
I have just completed a fantastic project that will be used for the cover of a fantasy novel (it’s about dragons, is all I can say right now) and I am open again for illustration commissions.
Hopefully, I’ll get to share the cover project soon.
What I’m reading this week
I’ve started Lucy Holland’s Sistersong, and so far it’s gorgeous. Witchy, a bit queer, feminist, full of old magic and power struggles, and beautifully broken and human characters. The language leaps hare-wise without getting bogged down with overloaded prose.
Basically, I’m spending a lot of my reading going nnnghhh why didn’t I write this?
Reading anything great? Send me recommendations! I love queer fantasy and sf with language full of swoops and rolls, and I’m a sucker for twisted tropes.