Rachael Arsenault's Blog, page 2
January 31, 2022
January 2022 Wrap-Up: A Lack of Five-Stars, Drunk Hamsters, and A Project Finally Completed
I know it looks like I read basically nothing this month, but that’s not true! I finished three books! They were just all very meh. 😩 Yeah, 2022 is not off to the best start in terms of reading. But it is a big month for my essay writing!
What I’ve Enjoyed
Articles
In This Prison, COVID Patients are Housed with Inmates on Suicide Watch
A horrifying but eye-opening look into how both mental health crises and the COVID-19 pandemic are mishandled in prisons.
What’s the Mandatory Deduction for Being Black at the Olympics?
I had never considered the role systemic racism played in sports competition before, but after reading this, it’s obvious that it’s a rampant problem. Figure skaters who were technically more skilled than their competition received consistently lower scores, advertisements for massive televised sporting events like the Olympics focus almost exclusively on white athletes, and countries with a predominantly non-white population see far fewer Olympic medals than countries like the United States.
You Have No Idea How Hard It Is To Get A Hamster Drunk
And now for something completely different!
People do a lot of weird stuff in the name of science. In this case, trying to get hamsters drunk. It’s an interesting and weird little weird – definitely worth five minutes of your time. The only downside is there are no cute pictures or videos of tipsy hamsters wobbling around.
Other
The Legend of Vox Machina
When I tell you I have been waiting years for this show, I’m not exaggerating. I’ve been hype ever since the Kickstarter was announced. Now that the first three episodes are finally out in the world, I can safely say it does not disappoint. Seeing these characters come to life is WILD, and I’m so stoked for the Critical Role cast that they were able to do this – and excited for what this means for the future of animation and television. And, you know, wondering if we might see other campaigns animated if this does well. 👀
What I’ve Created
Articles
“I don’t really think he counts as a guy.” Queerness in the House of Night
I originally published this to Vocal in 2020, but I’m sharing it again for two reasons. One, I’m still extremely proud of it and want more people to read it. And two, it’s the first in a series of essays that I’ve been working on for years, and I intend to share links to all of them, too. Being able to apply my degree in sociology and Native Studies (as well as my personal perspectives and experiences) to critical analysis of the harm done by a popular book series has been a very important and fulfilling process for me, and I hope I’m able to leave an impact on anyone who reads these essays.
The other essays that came out this month are:
•Part honey, part whore: Sex Shaming and Internalized Misogyny in the House of Night [Part 1]
•She chose vengeance and anger: Sex Shaming and Internalized Misogyny in the House of Night [Part 2]
•”My own Nubian princess.” Blackness, Exotification, and Dehumanization in the House of Night
•Ancient tribal blood and the heartbeat of outsiders: Mystification, Appropriation, and Indigenous Representation in the House of Night
As always, if you’ve enjoyed these essays and other work I’ve shared on Medium, please consider following me over there. I’m currently sitting at 30 followers, and if I can get to 100 I’ll be eligible for the Medium Partner Program. Sharing my work is also a great way to show your support!
And that about wraps things up. While the books I read were certainly disappointing, the month wasn’t a total waste. Plus, there are plenty of other books I’m looking forward to reading throughout the year. Fingers crossed February brings me a five-star!
If you want to see my somewhat more sporadic updates throughout the month, check me out on Twitter and Instagram, where I’m @rachaellawrites
What I’ve Enjoyed
Articles
In This Prison, COVID Patients are Housed with Inmates on Suicide Watch
A horrifying but eye-opening look into how both mental health crises and the COVID-19 pandemic are mishandled in prisons.
What’s the Mandatory Deduction for Being Black at the Olympics?
I had never considered the role systemic racism played in sports competition before, but after reading this, it’s obvious that it’s a rampant problem. Figure skaters who were technically more skilled than their competition received consistently lower scores, advertisements for massive televised sporting events like the Olympics focus almost exclusively on white athletes, and countries with a predominantly non-white population see far fewer Olympic medals than countries like the United States.
You Have No Idea How Hard It Is To Get A Hamster Drunk
And now for something completely different!
People do a lot of weird stuff in the name of science. In this case, trying to get hamsters drunk. It’s an interesting and weird little weird – definitely worth five minutes of your time. The only downside is there are no cute pictures or videos of tipsy hamsters wobbling around.
Other
The Legend of Vox Machina
When I tell you I have been waiting years for this show, I’m not exaggerating. I’ve been hype ever since the Kickstarter was announced. Now that the first three episodes are finally out in the world, I can safely say it does not disappoint. Seeing these characters come to life is WILD, and I’m so stoked for the Critical Role cast that they were able to do this – and excited for what this means for the future of animation and television. And, you know, wondering if we might see other campaigns animated if this does well. 👀
What I’ve Created
Articles
“I don’t really think he counts as a guy.” Queerness in the House of Night
I originally published this to Vocal in 2020, but I’m sharing it again for two reasons. One, I’m still extremely proud of it and want more people to read it. And two, it’s the first in a series of essays that I’ve been working on for years, and I intend to share links to all of them, too. Being able to apply my degree in sociology and Native Studies (as well as my personal perspectives and experiences) to critical analysis of the harm done by a popular book series has been a very important and fulfilling process for me, and I hope I’m able to leave an impact on anyone who reads these essays.
The other essays that came out this month are:
•Part honey, part whore: Sex Shaming and Internalized Misogyny in the House of Night [Part 1]
•She chose vengeance and anger: Sex Shaming and Internalized Misogyny in the House of Night [Part 2]
•”My own Nubian princess.” Blackness, Exotification, and Dehumanization in the House of Night
•Ancient tribal blood and the heartbeat of outsiders: Mystification, Appropriation, and Indigenous Representation in the House of Night
As always, if you’ve enjoyed these essays and other work I’ve shared on Medium, please consider following me over there. I’m currently sitting at 30 followers, and if I can get to 100 I’ll be eligible for the Medium Partner Program. Sharing my work is also a great way to show your support!
And that about wraps things up. While the books I read were certainly disappointing, the month wasn’t a total waste. Plus, there are plenty of other books I’m looking forward to reading throughout the year. Fingers crossed February brings me a five-star!
If you want to see my somewhat more sporadic updates throughout the month, check me out on Twitter and Instagram, where I’m @rachaellawrites
January 1, 2022
Quick Links to Published Short Stories
I thought it would be helpful to have one post with all my short stories linked to it, which I can update as necessary. So here it is!
☆Everyday Magic
☆Our Town Short Story Anthology (2019)
☆London Reader, Autumn 2018: Drama & Dragons
☆Living With No Reflection (audio only)
Previously Published
One Tenth Merperson, in Beasts of Legend by Aether/Ichor (the website has since shut down)
☆Everyday Magic
☆Our Town Short Story Anthology (2019)
☆London Reader, Autumn 2018: Drama & Dragons
☆Living With No Reflection (audio only)
Previously Published
One Tenth Merperson, in Beasts of Legend by Aether/Ichor (the website has since shut down)
December 30, 2021
December 2021 Wrap-Up: Defending Fanfic, Repping for Curly Hair, and a Satisfying Conclusion
The last wrap-up of 2021. That’s so wild! I’ve been writing these for almost two years now, and it still feels new every time I do it.
I didn’t write as much as I would have liked this year – no major book or short story publications – but I was also adjusting to major life changes, most notably having a sweet little baby. Plus, what I lacked in writing to share, I more than made up for in reading. I read almost twice as many books as I did last year! And almost all of them were really, really good.
Including the one I read this month. So, without further ado, let’s round out my reading for 2021.
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
A Psalm of Storms and Silence by Roseanne A. Brown
I’ve been hyped for this book ever since I read ASoWaR early this year. And it was well worth the wait! I absolutely love Malik and Karina, how they grew as character, and how their relationship developed together. Plus the lore and world-building is beautiful. Definitely a duology that’s on my list to reread whenever I have the time.
Articles
The “Princess Diaries” Makeover Scene Made Me Terribly Insecure for Years
As a curly-haired, awkward, geeky girl, this spoke to me on every level. Though I didn’t watch The Princess Diaries as a child (and watching it as an adult distressed me because it’s not at all like the books and WHY ARE YOU DRY BRUSHING CURLS???), I still saw plenty of makeover scenes in movies where the frumpy, curly-haired nerd gets a dramatic makeover and is suddenly conventionally attractive. It’s super damaging and reinforces this narrative that curls are ugly, you should be ashamed of your geekiness, and women’s worth is measured by their beauty in the eyes of others. Total bullshit, and Niveda debunks it all perfectly.
Reality Check: What You Care About Can Drive You to Exhaustion
A short but important piece acknowledging the toll it takes on a person when advocacy, academia, and personal hardships/traumas collide.
Other
The Witcher Season 2
I didn’t get to watch this until over a week after it came out, so dodging spoilers was a fun adventure. But it was worth the wait! Watching everyone clash together and split apart and join back up in new (or familiar!) groups was so fun, plus we got some major lore drops and reveals. Stoked for season 3, and dreading the long wait.
What I’ve Created
Articles
Is Fanfiction a Valid Form of Writing?
Still steadily working away at cross-posting Vocal articles over to Medium, but I wanted to highlight this one – because, like last month, I was invited to have my work included in a Medium publication! This time I have a couple pieces featured at The Ugly Monster, which is all about gaming, media, and geekiness. Please give it a look!
And, as I’ve said in past months, follow me on Medium if you’re enjoying what I post there. It genuinely helps a lot.
I didn’t write as much as I would have liked this year – no major book or short story publications – but I was also adjusting to major life changes, most notably having a sweet little baby. Plus, what I lacked in writing to share, I more than made up for in reading. I read almost twice as many books as I did last year! And almost all of them were really, really good.
Including the one I read this month. So, without further ado, let’s round out my reading for 2021.
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
A Psalm of Storms and Silence by Roseanne A. Brown
I’ve been hyped for this book ever since I read ASoWaR early this year. And it was well worth the wait! I absolutely love Malik and Karina, how they grew as character, and how their relationship developed together. Plus the lore and world-building is beautiful. Definitely a duology that’s on my list to reread whenever I have the time.
Articles
The “Princess Diaries” Makeover Scene Made Me Terribly Insecure for Years
As a curly-haired, awkward, geeky girl, this spoke to me on every level. Though I didn’t watch The Princess Diaries as a child (and watching it as an adult distressed me because it’s not at all like the books and WHY ARE YOU DRY BRUSHING CURLS???), I still saw plenty of makeover scenes in movies where the frumpy, curly-haired nerd gets a dramatic makeover and is suddenly conventionally attractive. It’s super damaging and reinforces this narrative that curls are ugly, you should be ashamed of your geekiness, and women’s worth is measured by their beauty in the eyes of others. Total bullshit, and Niveda debunks it all perfectly.
Reality Check: What You Care About Can Drive You to Exhaustion
A short but important piece acknowledging the toll it takes on a person when advocacy, academia, and personal hardships/traumas collide.
Other
The Witcher Season 2
I didn’t get to watch this until over a week after it came out, so dodging spoilers was a fun adventure. But it was worth the wait! Watching everyone clash together and split apart and join back up in new (or familiar!) groups was so fun, plus we got some major lore drops and reveals. Stoked for season 3, and dreading the long wait.
What I’ve Created
Articles
Is Fanfiction a Valid Form of Writing?
Still steadily working away at cross-posting Vocal articles over to Medium, but I wanted to highlight this one – because, like last month, I was invited to have my work included in a Medium publication! This time I have a couple pieces featured at The Ugly Monster, which is all about gaming, media, and geekiness. Please give it a look!
And, as I’ve said in past months, follow me on Medium if you’re enjoying what I post there. It genuinely helps a lot.
November 30, 2021
November Wrap-Up: Patriachy-Smashing Mechs, Handcraft Resistance, and Liberating Publications
This month, I actually read two physical copies of books! After months of reading nothing but ebooks, it feels nice to hold a book and turn pages – though, admittedly, it is a lot harder to read books this way when I’m taking care of my little fella. Reading on a phone while he naps on my lap is just easier 😅
But physical copies are going to be my focus for the next little while, since I ordered half a dozen books and I want to prioritize them. So… we’ll see if I manage to finish a full book by the end of December lol
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
Disintegrate/Dissociate by Arielle Twist
This was an intense, raw, and vivid collection of poetry. Not an easy read by any means, but definitely something I’ll be revisiting.
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
I want to scream about this book from the rooftops. It’s incredible – if I were to talk about all the things I love, we’d be here all day. Get angry, fly mechs, smash the patriarchy.
Articles
Historical Lies Most People Believe are True
I was somewhat familiar with a couple of the facts covered in this, but it was still interesting to read them being debunked in detail. It makes me wonder what other misinformation I’ve been believing all my life!
Why I Broke My Feet to Save My Pride
This is an insightful piece about the consequences of living with internalized ableism. Definitely worth the read.
Unweaving the Whitewashed Legacy of the Cross-Stitch
An insightful new (to me) perspective on handcrafts like needlepoint and cross-stitch, their colonial legacy, and how they’re being used to both resist oppressive structures and celebrate black culture and history.
What I’ve Created
Articles
How to Include Gay Characters in Your Book – Without Resorting to Tokenism
I cross-posted a bunch of articles to Medium again this month, but I wanted to draw special attention to the one linked above because it’s also being hosted by An Injustice! Give it a look if it interests you, and be sure to check out other An Injustice! publications.
And, as before, I would hugely appreciate it if you followed me over on Medium. It’s a great way to support me as a creator <3
And that about does it for November. I always feel like my lists for what I’ve created look way too barren, but I’m trying to remind myself that this doesn’t mean I’m not still creating and working – I just don’t have anything ready to share yet. But essays are being written, books are being drafted, and the next installment in A New Age of Magic is sloooowly coming together. Everything is on the horizon!
But physical copies are going to be my focus for the next little while, since I ordered half a dozen books and I want to prioritize them. So… we’ll see if I manage to finish a full book by the end of December lol
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
Disintegrate/Dissociate by Arielle Twist
This was an intense, raw, and vivid collection of poetry. Not an easy read by any means, but definitely something I’ll be revisiting.
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
I want to scream about this book from the rooftops. It’s incredible – if I were to talk about all the things I love, we’d be here all day. Get angry, fly mechs, smash the patriarchy.
Articles
Historical Lies Most People Believe are True
I was somewhat familiar with a couple of the facts covered in this, but it was still interesting to read them being debunked in detail. It makes me wonder what other misinformation I’ve been believing all my life!
Why I Broke My Feet to Save My Pride
This is an insightful piece about the consequences of living with internalized ableism. Definitely worth the read.
Unweaving the Whitewashed Legacy of the Cross-Stitch
An insightful new (to me) perspective on handcrafts like needlepoint and cross-stitch, their colonial legacy, and how they’re being used to both resist oppressive structures and celebrate black culture and history.
What I’ve Created
Articles
How to Include Gay Characters in Your Book – Without Resorting to Tokenism
I cross-posted a bunch of articles to Medium again this month, but I wanted to draw special attention to the one linked above because it’s also being hosted by An Injustice! Give it a look if it interests you, and be sure to check out other An Injustice! publications.
And, as before, I would hugely appreciate it if you followed me over on Medium. It’s a great way to support me as a creator <3
And that about does it for November. I always feel like my lists for what I’ve created look way too barren, but I’m trying to remind myself that this doesn’t mean I’m not still creating and working – I just don’t have anything ready to share yet. But essays are being written, books are being drafted, and the next installment in A New Age of Magic is sloooowly coming together. Everything is on the horizon!
October 31, 2021
October 2021 Wrap-Up: Queer Witches, Indigenous History, and A New D&D Campaign
Happy Halloween to anyone who’s celebrating!
This month, I read a LOT of books and not much else. Which isn’t a bad thing, but I do intend to broaden my reading and get out more writing in the future – it’s just, well, hard to manage with a baby sometimes. (He’s crawling now and learning to stand 😱). Rest assured that I am still writing and working.
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
These Witches Don't Burn and This Coven Won't Break by Isabel Sterling
Witches was just incredible. It had everything I look for in a contemporary fantasy: a fun and interesting magic system (three types of witches!), casual queer rep, and a fast-paced plot that kept me guessing and had me feeling immensely satisfied when some of those guesses were right. Honestly, I loved it so much that I immediately checked out the sequel from my library.
Which I also loved! It was just such a perfect conclusion to the duology and it had a lot of really clever twists and unexpected developments. I really liked seeing the magic system more deeply explored. And, of course, the casual queer rep was delightful.
You Better Be Lightning by Andrea Gibson
I was fortunate enough to be able to read a digital arc of this, and I can safely say that it was absolutely incredible. The verse is beautiful without being too bloated or hard to wrap your head around, and Andrea tackles a wide host of topics, from romantic relationships to living with Lyme disease to being queer. Highly recommend checking this out if you’re in the mood for poetry.
Notable Native People: 50 Indigenous Leaders, Dreamers, and Changemakers from Past and Present by Adrienne Keene
I also received this as a digital arc. This collection was full of perfect, bite-sized profiles on awesome indigenous folks, as well as several sections focused on educating readers on specific issues. I also appreciated that it was diverse even within the scope of Native representation, not only because it included a wide variety of tribes/nations, but also because there were several queer people represented, and people of mixed heritage. Highly recommend checking it out!
Reclaim the Stars: 17 Tales Across Realms & Space by Zoraida Cordova and various authors
Yet another digital arc! I really appreciated the variety of stories here, and I think pretty much anyone could find a short story they like. Totally worth checking out, especially if you want to support more Latinx authors or are looking for some fresh sci-fi/fantasy reads.
Other
Critical Role Campaign 3
I. Am. So. PUMPED! Unfortunately I can’t watch the episodes live when they premiere, thanks to timezones (and baby), but I plan to watch each VOD as soon as I’m able to. Without getting too much into spoilers here, FCG must be protected at all costs and seeing a certain someone at the table again is just so perfect. A great addition to the team ❤️
What I’ve Created
Articles
Medium
I’m still working my way through crossposting a bunch of my essays and articles from Vocal over to Medium. This month alone I’ve posted 13 pieces! I would love it if you followed my profile so you can keep up with my reuploads (and, eventually, new pieces) as I post them, and also because it’s a simple, free way to support a small creator like myself. Currently, the magic number I’m aiming for is 100 followers. Any help along that journey is immensely appreciated ❤️😊
And that about wraps it up! Hopefully I’ve offered some reading recommendations you can dig into – maybe you’ll even find a new favourite. If you want to see more from me (especially on more than a monthly basis), check out my Twitter, Instagram, or Medium, which are all @rachaellawrites. And if there’s anything YOU think I should check out, please feel free to let me know in the comments!
This month, I read a LOT of books and not much else. Which isn’t a bad thing, but I do intend to broaden my reading and get out more writing in the future – it’s just, well, hard to manage with a baby sometimes. (He’s crawling now and learning to stand 😱). Rest assured that I am still writing and working.
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
These Witches Don't Burn and This Coven Won't Break by Isabel Sterling
Witches was just incredible. It had everything I look for in a contemporary fantasy: a fun and interesting magic system (three types of witches!), casual queer rep, and a fast-paced plot that kept me guessing and had me feeling immensely satisfied when some of those guesses were right. Honestly, I loved it so much that I immediately checked out the sequel from my library.
Which I also loved! It was just such a perfect conclusion to the duology and it had a lot of really clever twists and unexpected developments. I really liked seeing the magic system more deeply explored. And, of course, the casual queer rep was delightful.
You Better Be Lightning by Andrea Gibson
I was fortunate enough to be able to read a digital arc of this, and I can safely say that it was absolutely incredible. The verse is beautiful without being too bloated or hard to wrap your head around, and Andrea tackles a wide host of topics, from romantic relationships to living with Lyme disease to being queer. Highly recommend checking this out if you’re in the mood for poetry.
Notable Native People: 50 Indigenous Leaders, Dreamers, and Changemakers from Past and Present by Adrienne Keene
I also received this as a digital arc. This collection was full of perfect, bite-sized profiles on awesome indigenous folks, as well as several sections focused on educating readers on specific issues. I also appreciated that it was diverse even within the scope of Native representation, not only because it included a wide variety of tribes/nations, but also because there were several queer people represented, and people of mixed heritage. Highly recommend checking it out!
Reclaim the Stars: 17 Tales Across Realms & Space by Zoraida Cordova and various authors
Yet another digital arc! I really appreciated the variety of stories here, and I think pretty much anyone could find a short story they like. Totally worth checking out, especially if you want to support more Latinx authors or are looking for some fresh sci-fi/fantasy reads.
Other
Critical Role Campaign 3
I. Am. So. PUMPED! Unfortunately I can’t watch the episodes live when they premiere, thanks to timezones (and baby), but I plan to watch each VOD as soon as I’m able to. Without getting too much into spoilers here, FCG must be protected at all costs and seeing a certain someone at the table again is just so perfect. A great addition to the team ❤️
What I’ve Created
Articles
Medium
I’m still working my way through crossposting a bunch of my essays and articles from Vocal over to Medium. This month alone I’ve posted 13 pieces! I would love it if you followed my profile so you can keep up with my reuploads (and, eventually, new pieces) as I post them, and also because it’s a simple, free way to support a small creator like myself. Currently, the magic number I’m aiming for is 100 followers. Any help along that journey is immensely appreciated ❤️😊
And that about wraps it up! Hopefully I’ve offered some reading recommendations you can dig into – maybe you’ll even find a new favourite. If you want to see more from me (especially on more than a monthly basis), check out my Twitter, Instagram, or Medium, which are all @rachaellawrites. And if there’s anything YOU think I should check out, please feel free to let me know in the comments!
September 29, 2021
September 2021 Wrap-Up: Colonial History, Fae Ravens, and An Artistic Empire
During September I consumed a strange assortment of media - and, unfortunately, not a lot of it. I sadly had several things I picked up to read that I ended up DNFing. But I still found some stuff I absolutely loved!
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson
This was such a fun book. I loved how Rogerson depicted fae, the plotting and world-building were on point, and Isobel was a clever and passionate heroine I found easy to root for. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a quick, light read.
The Inconvenient Indian: A Curious Account of Native People in North America by Thomas King
I originally read this for my thesis back in 2015, and I was thrilled when I saw my library carried it on Libby. So I reread – and enjoyed it even more than the first time! King is so good at explaining and exploring Native American and First Nations history in accessible language, and I loved how he handled the topics with the seriousness they deserved while still finding room for humour. Hugely recommend this one.
Other
Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal and Greed
My spouse and I put this on as something to casually enjoy in the background while we played with the baby, and we ended up getting sucked into it. There was so much I didn’t know about Bob Ross, and it was equal parts heartwarming and heartbreaking to learn about the legacy he wanted versus the legacy others chose for him.
What I’ve Created
Articles
I’m on Medium now!
While not the same as having actual new content for you, I am still excited to be crossposting a bunch of my pieces from Vocal over to Medium. I’ll be doing this slowly over the course of several weeks, so keep an eye on this profile. You might discover you haven’t read some of my older stuff yet!
I would also hugely appreciate it if you followed me on Medium. Not only does it make it easier for you to keep track of when I upload a new story, but once I reach 100 followers on Medium, I’m eligible for their Partner Program :D It’s a simple, free way to support an indie author!
Now on to October. I don't know about you, but I'm dying for fall leaves and cooler weather. This is my favourite season by far :D
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson
This was such a fun book. I loved how Rogerson depicted fae, the plotting and world-building were on point, and Isobel was a clever and passionate heroine I found easy to root for. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a quick, light read.
The Inconvenient Indian: A Curious Account of Native People in North America by Thomas King
I originally read this for my thesis back in 2015, and I was thrilled when I saw my library carried it on Libby. So I reread – and enjoyed it even more than the first time! King is so good at explaining and exploring Native American and First Nations history in accessible language, and I loved how he handled the topics with the seriousness they deserved while still finding room for humour. Hugely recommend this one.
Other
Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal and Greed
My spouse and I put this on as something to casually enjoy in the background while we played with the baby, and we ended up getting sucked into it. There was so much I didn’t know about Bob Ross, and it was equal parts heartwarming and heartbreaking to learn about the legacy he wanted versus the legacy others chose for him.
What I’ve Created
Articles
I’m on Medium now!
While not the same as having actual new content for you, I am still excited to be crossposting a bunch of my pieces from Vocal over to Medium. I’ll be doing this slowly over the course of several weeks, so keep an eye on this profile. You might discover you haven’t read some of my older stuff yet!
I would also hugely appreciate it if you followed me on Medium. Not only does it make it easier for you to keep track of when I upload a new story, but once I reach 100 followers on Medium, I’m eligible for their Partner Program :D It’s a simple, free way to support an indie author!
Now on to October. I don't know about you, but I'm dying for fall leaves and cooler weather. This is my favourite season by far :D
August 31, 2021
August Wrap-Up: Misbehaved Princesses, Sister Series, and an Essay on Racism
I did it! I got the internet sorted out in time for the end of August! It is unreasonably satisfying that I don’t have to skip a month. That says a lot about me, doesn’t it?
Anyway. On with the wrap-up!
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
Princesses Behaving Badly: Real Stories from History Without the Fairy-Tale Endings by Linda Rodríguez McRobbie
A really fun read filled with lots of strange, inspiring, and sometimes awful women of history. Definitely a few names in here I wanna learn more about.
Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert
Loved this book, just as I loved Chloe Brown. Granted, I did like Chloe Brown more, but part of that is probably because it’s the first book in the series I read, and I just vibed with Chloe and Red a little more than Dani and Zaf. Though, don’t get me wrong: The leads in this are both wonderful. I love that Dani is a proud black, bisexual, chubby woman, and I love that Zaf is this big, tough, Pakistani athlete who is all about dealing with your emotions and recognizing mental health struggles.
Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert
This book was available on Libby, too, so I of course read it right after Dani Brown. Loved seeing autistic characters repped as whole and complex people – and as adults with, you know, relationships and sex lives! As always, the humour was spot on, pacing was immaculate, and it was overall just a delight to read.
Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge
This is one of those books that’s extremely important but really hard to talk about. I’m not sure what to tell you about it, because anything I say is going to sound so small compared to everything this book encompasses. Certainly, if you’re interested in the history and ongoing struggle of black people in the UK, this is an excellent resource.
Articles
The Seven Sisters, East Sussex
I’d never heard of this particular natural wonder, but now I really want a chance to visit it! Especially knowing it’s slowly deteriorating. Even if it won’t be gone completely in my lifetime, I’d still like to see it sooner rather than later, so more of it is intact.
What I’ve Created
Articles
How to Name Your Characters (Without Getting Obsessed)
I’ve been working on naming characters for a new manuscript I’m working on (which I won’t talk about in too much detail just yet), and the process really got me thinking about names. It can be so easy to fall down a rabbit hole and spend hours searching for the “perfect” name, rather than actually buckling down and, you know, writing your book. So I decided to share some tips on how to avoid that.
”My Own Nubian Princess.” Blackness, Exotification, and Dehumanization in the House of Night
The third installment in the series of essays I’m working on, this time tackling how HoN handles representing black characters. I hope I’ve done the topic justice, even though I never feel like I’ve quite managed to cover every issue I want to discuss when I write these essays.
And that’s everything for August! I’m glad things worked out and I got my internet problems resolved before the end of the month, because I actually had quite a bit to share.
But wait, there’s more! Sort of. I at least have a way for you to more consistently keep up to date with my work over on Vocal. They have a subscribe feature now! It’s free, so you don’t have to worry about paying monthly fees or anything, and you can follow whichever creators you like on the site, then check your subscription feed to see whatever stories they’ve recently uploaded. Then you don’t have to wait until the end of every month for me to share links in these wrap-ups.
(Though you should totally still keep reading these wrap-ups. Vocal doesn’t have my monthly reading recommendations, after all.)
Anyway. On with the wrap-up!
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
Princesses Behaving Badly: Real Stories from History Without the Fairy-Tale Endings by Linda Rodríguez McRobbie
A really fun read filled with lots of strange, inspiring, and sometimes awful women of history. Definitely a few names in here I wanna learn more about.
Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert
Loved this book, just as I loved Chloe Brown. Granted, I did like Chloe Brown more, but part of that is probably because it’s the first book in the series I read, and I just vibed with Chloe and Red a little more than Dani and Zaf. Though, don’t get me wrong: The leads in this are both wonderful. I love that Dani is a proud black, bisexual, chubby woman, and I love that Zaf is this big, tough, Pakistani athlete who is all about dealing with your emotions and recognizing mental health struggles.
Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert
This book was available on Libby, too, so I of course read it right after Dani Brown. Loved seeing autistic characters repped as whole and complex people – and as adults with, you know, relationships and sex lives! As always, the humour was spot on, pacing was immaculate, and it was overall just a delight to read.
Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge
This is one of those books that’s extremely important but really hard to talk about. I’m not sure what to tell you about it, because anything I say is going to sound so small compared to everything this book encompasses. Certainly, if you’re interested in the history and ongoing struggle of black people in the UK, this is an excellent resource.
Articles
The Seven Sisters, East Sussex
I’d never heard of this particular natural wonder, but now I really want a chance to visit it! Especially knowing it’s slowly deteriorating. Even if it won’t be gone completely in my lifetime, I’d still like to see it sooner rather than later, so more of it is intact.
What I’ve Created
Articles
How to Name Your Characters (Without Getting Obsessed)
I’ve been working on naming characters for a new manuscript I’m working on (which I won’t talk about in too much detail just yet), and the process really got me thinking about names. It can be so easy to fall down a rabbit hole and spend hours searching for the “perfect” name, rather than actually buckling down and, you know, writing your book. So I decided to share some tips on how to avoid that.
”My Own Nubian Princess.” Blackness, Exotification, and Dehumanization in the House of Night
The third installment in the series of essays I’m working on, this time tackling how HoN handles representing black characters. I hope I’ve done the topic justice, even though I never feel like I’ve quite managed to cover every issue I want to discuss when I write these essays.
And that’s everything for August! I’m glad things worked out and I got my internet problems resolved before the end of the month, because I actually had quite a bit to share.
But wait, there’s more! Sort of. I at least have a way for you to more consistently keep up to date with my work over on Vocal. They have a subscribe feature now! It’s free, so you don’t have to worry about paying monthly fees or anything, and you can follow whichever creators you like on the site, then check your subscription feed to see whatever stories they’ve recently uploaded. Then you don’t have to wait until the end of every month for me to share links in these wrap-ups.
(Though you should totally still keep reading these wrap-ups. Vocal doesn’t have my monthly reading recommendations, after all.)
July 30, 2021
July Wrap-Up: Feminism, Poetry, and Arthurian Lore
As predicted, this turned out to be a pretty sparse month. But rather than wait and combine this wrap-up with August’s, I’m posting it now – because the chaos of my life is persisting well into August and part of that means being unsure of what the state of my internet connection will be. That's also why I'm posting juuust before the end of the month proper.
But fret not – when the dust settles and my life starts balancing out again, I’ll be back to reading and writing as much as I can :D
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women That a Movement Forgot by Mikki Kendall
Incredible, insightful, important. I found all the essays pretty accessibly in terms of their readability – I mean, I was reading some of these out loud on three hours of sleep while trying to settle a fussy baby, and I still had a good grasp on what Kendall was actually saying, so I think that’s pretty good. Definitely a lot of ideas in here to keep in mind with my own reading and writing, and a ton of quotes that I need to pull for future essays.
77 Fragments of a Familiar Ruin by Thomas King
I have never loved a poetry collection as much as I loved this one. I read King back in university when I was working on my thesis, and I thoroughly enjoyed An Inconvenient Indian, but I didn’t know he also wrote poetry. Now I really want to look for more of his work, because this blew me away. As soon as I finished, I wanted to reread it.
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
This was such a thrill to read. Even without being a King Arthur buff, I loved the worldbuilding and how it explored the history of the Roundtable and manifested legends of the knights into literal magic. The way different magic systems are presented – and the role culture and family plays in how magic works and is passed down – was super creative and refreshing. Also, I just absolutely loved Bree and Sel and their dynamic together. And the casual queer rep all over the place doesn’t hurt, either.
Again, not a lot to report this month unfortunately, but hopefully all the nonsense and chaos of the summer will make room for bigger and better things come fall!
But fret not – when the dust settles and my life starts balancing out again, I’ll be back to reading and writing as much as I can :D
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women That a Movement Forgot by Mikki Kendall
Incredible, insightful, important. I found all the essays pretty accessibly in terms of their readability – I mean, I was reading some of these out loud on three hours of sleep while trying to settle a fussy baby, and I still had a good grasp on what Kendall was actually saying, so I think that’s pretty good. Definitely a lot of ideas in here to keep in mind with my own reading and writing, and a ton of quotes that I need to pull for future essays.
77 Fragments of a Familiar Ruin by Thomas King
I have never loved a poetry collection as much as I loved this one. I read King back in university when I was working on my thesis, and I thoroughly enjoyed An Inconvenient Indian, but I didn’t know he also wrote poetry. Now I really want to look for more of his work, because this blew me away. As soon as I finished, I wanted to reread it.
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
This was such a thrill to read. Even without being a King Arthur buff, I loved the worldbuilding and how it explored the history of the Roundtable and manifested legends of the knights into literal magic. The way different magic systems are presented – and the role culture and family plays in how magic works and is passed down – was super creative and refreshing. Also, I just absolutely loved Bree and Sel and their dynamic together. And the casual queer rep all over the place doesn’t hurt, either.
Again, not a lot to report this month unfortunately, but hopefully all the nonsense and chaos of the summer will make room for bigger and better things come fall!
June 30, 2021
June Wrap-Up: Zombie Girl Gangs, Understanding Polyamory, and Excessive Teleportation
This month was full of a lot of really awesome reads – and, fittingly for Pride, a lot of queer ones! I got to read one of my most anticipated releases, a book I had been sleeping on for far too long, and a ton of articles celebrating queer people and their talents.
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green
I’ve loved every John Green book I’ve read, but this one was uniquely wonderful. I loved how he challenged the idea of where a book starts and ends by rating the structure of the book as well, every review was full of wit and insight and emotional depth, and the whole experience was unlike anything I’ve ever read before.
Undead Girl Gang by Lily Anderson
I loved this book a lot more than I expected – I thought I would give it three stars, but it turned into a five-star read. It’s fun and light while also being creepy and weird, and those twists? Perfection.
Articles
The Intersection of Black Femininity and Queerness
This has lots of recommendations for queer black female artists to listen to and I’m definitely going to have to make a point to listen to some of them. Popping the link here so I can refer back to it, and also to spread the love.
Stories by LGBTQIA+ Vocal Creators and the Perfect Songs to Go With Them
Another list of awesome creators to support, this time including both writers on Vocal.media and musicians. It’s especially great because reading, liking, and sharing articles by LGBTQIA+ Vocal writers is a super easy way to support them, since they earn a small bit of money every time someone reads one of their stories.
5 Tips for Improving Your Poetry
I’ve been wanting to get back into writing poetry, so reading some tips and advice on how to hone my craft is a nice refresher.
Think Cult Classics, but Female Friendships
This hit the nail on the head about how I felt when I recently watched the first Ghostbusters movie. Now I NEED to watch the all-female remake!
Bullshit-Free Ideas for Building an Adaptable Writing Routine
It should come as no surprise that I enjoy writing advice, considering how often I offer it myself. This is a great example of that. Not every suggestion will work for every writer, of course, but it has some great ideas to try out.
Polyamory is Simply Love Plural
Really insightful article about an often misunderstand relationship dynamic, and something I think everyone needs to learn more about.
What I’ve Created
Articles
How Many Times Can One Player Teleport in D&D?
This is another one of those times where I’m being excessively, nerdily indulgent. If you like D&D and character builds with absurdly specific intent, this will entertain you.
Queer Books Everyone Should Read for Pride
I really enjoyed writing this, especially since I love gushing about my favourite books (obviously – what else have these wrap-ups been about?). And the fact that it got picked for Top Story certainly doesn’t hurt :D
How to Support Indie Authors – For Free
As a self-published author, this subject is close to my heart. It’s hard to build a following and market yourself and get people reading your book, and if I can help encourage people to pick up more indie books, I know I’m helping a lot of creators like myself.
How Writing Helps Me Heal
This one is a bit more personal than I usually write, but I’m proud of how it came out. It’s about how writing has helped me cope through major hardship.
And that’s it for June. Definitely a great month for reading!
For July, however, I’m not sure how much I’ll be able to get done, or if I’ll have time to share my wrap-up at the end of the month, as there’s some pretty major life stuff going on throughout the month. So if the end of the month comes and you don’t see a July wrap-up, don’t fret: I’m just busy. I’ll probably just end up doing a joint wrap-up with August.
What did you read this month? Anything on your radar that you’re excited to check out in July?
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green
I’ve loved every John Green book I’ve read, but this one was uniquely wonderful. I loved how he challenged the idea of where a book starts and ends by rating the structure of the book as well, every review was full of wit and insight and emotional depth, and the whole experience was unlike anything I’ve ever read before.
Undead Girl Gang by Lily Anderson
I loved this book a lot more than I expected – I thought I would give it three stars, but it turned into a five-star read. It’s fun and light while also being creepy and weird, and those twists? Perfection.
Articles
The Intersection of Black Femininity and Queerness
This has lots of recommendations for queer black female artists to listen to and I’m definitely going to have to make a point to listen to some of them. Popping the link here so I can refer back to it, and also to spread the love.
Stories by LGBTQIA+ Vocal Creators and the Perfect Songs to Go With Them
Another list of awesome creators to support, this time including both writers on Vocal.media and musicians. It’s especially great because reading, liking, and sharing articles by LGBTQIA+ Vocal writers is a super easy way to support them, since they earn a small bit of money every time someone reads one of their stories.
5 Tips for Improving Your Poetry
I’ve been wanting to get back into writing poetry, so reading some tips and advice on how to hone my craft is a nice refresher.
Think Cult Classics, but Female Friendships
This hit the nail on the head about how I felt when I recently watched the first Ghostbusters movie. Now I NEED to watch the all-female remake!
Bullshit-Free Ideas for Building an Adaptable Writing Routine
It should come as no surprise that I enjoy writing advice, considering how often I offer it myself. This is a great example of that. Not every suggestion will work for every writer, of course, but it has some great ideas to try out.
Polyamory is Simply Love Plural
Really insightful article about an often misunderstand relationship dynamic, and something I think everyone needs to learn more about.
What I’ve Created
Articles
How Many Times Can One Player Teleport in D&D?
This is another one of those times where I’m being excessively, nerdily indulgent. If you like D&D and character builds with absurdly specific intent, this will entertain you.
Queer Books Everyone Should Read for Pride
I really enjoyed writing this, especially since I love gushing about my favourite books (obviously – what else have these wrap-ups been about?). And the fact that it got picked for Top Story certainly doesn’t hurt :D
How to Support Indie Authors – For Free
As a self-published author, this subject is close to my heart. It’s hard to build a following and market yourself and get people reading your book, and if I can help encourage people to pick up more indie books, I know I’m helping a lot of creators like myself.
How Writing Helps Me Heal
This one is a bit more personal than I usually write, but I’m proud of how it came out. It’s about how writing has helped me cope through major hardship.
And that’s it for June. Definitely a great month for reading!
For July, however, I’m not sure how much I’ll be able to get done, or if I’ll have time to share my wrap-up at the end of the month, as there’s some pretty major life stuff going on throughout the month. So if the end of the month comes and you don’t see a July wrap-up, don’t fret: I’m just busy. I’ll probably just end up doing a joint wrap-up with August.
What did you read this month? Anything on your radar that you’re excited to check out in July?
May 31, 2021
May Wrap-Up: A Monstrous Comic, Purple Poetry, and Feminist Dissection
Sunshine! It’s finally starting to feel like summer, which makes me wish I could sit out and read on a breezy day. Alas, our yard doesn’t really have any nice reading spots, and I’m not healed enough to push the baby all the way to the park yet. But the dream is alive! For now, I’ll settle for pulling back the curtains and opening the windows.
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert
This book is such a gem. Great characters with incredible chemistry, A+ humour, and so much heart. I loved the disability rep, the male abuse victim rep, and the fact that both were still portrayed as whole, complex, and ultimately joyful people in spite of their hardships. Definitely a book I recommend checking out, though be aware that it does have smutty content.
Monstress, Vol. 1: Awakening, Monstress, Vol. 2: The Blood, Monstress, Vol. 3: Haven by Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda
I’ve been devouring this comic and absolutely loving it. Maika is powerful and broken and badass and I love her dynamic with all the other characters. Kippa is so precious and adorable. Master Ren is a magical talking cat, which, I mean, what else does a book really need? And I just love, love, love the world-building and atmosphere and the very sinister, foreboding direction the story has been taking so far.
Articles
Mount Grace Priory
Super informative little article that gives me something to add to my list of places to visit if I ever go to Europe.
What Did the Ancient Egyptians Eat?
An informative piece about the food and drinks available to the people of Ancient Egypt. It’s especially interesting to see what has and hasn’t carried on into modern times.
Other
Violet Times
A beautiful poem about the author’s experience coming out as asexual.
What I’ve Created
Books/Short Stories
Those Who Fall
It’s finally out in paperback! I had hoped to get this sorted out earlier in the year, but having a C-section and some other personal life chaos threw me back several steps. But now it’s here and I’ve held it in my hands and it’s amazing to see TWO OF MY OWN BOOKS in physical form.
Just like when She Who Rises released in paperback, you can order this book to your local bookstore or library (or from Amazon, if that’s your thing). For easier ordering, the ISBNs are:
She Who Rises: 9781777160609
Those Who Fall: 9781777160616
If you get a copy of either of these books, please take a photo and tag me in it on Insta or Twitter! I would love to see where my stories end up in the world. My handle is @RachaellaWrites
Articles
What It Takes to Photograph the Family Pet for the Last Time
A piece I wrote about the old family cat, Olive. It was nice to look back on photos of her and reminisce about the life she got to spend with us.
Part honey, part whore: Sex shaming and internalized misogyny in the House of Night and She chose vengeance and anger: Sex shaming and internalized misogyny in the House of Night [Part 2]
This essay has been in the works for months, and ended up so long that I had to split it into two parts. And that’s after I cut parts from it! Needless to say, I had a looot of thoughts on this subject. Always feels good to flex my sociology muscles a bit!
You may have noticed, across all these wrap-ups, that a lot of the pieces I share or create are hosted by a site called Vocal. It’s a platform I’ve been using since 2019, and I’ve always really enjoyed it. It’s free, you can earn a little bit of money here and there off story reads or tips, and it’s a great way for me to step outside my comfort zone and experiment with writing about different topics without worrying too much about what that work will do for me in the long term.
The site is free to use, as I said, but there is the option to sign up for a Vocal+ membership. This allows you to enter more contests, plus you earn more from story reads and can withdraw money from your wallet in lesser quantities.
If all of this sounds interesting to you, then I highly recommend checking Vocal out. And if you decide to sign up with Vocal+, please do so with my Ambassador link. I earn a small commission if you do.
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert
This book is such a gem. Great characters with incredible chemistry, A+ humour, and so much heart. I loved the disability rep, the male abuse victim rep, and the fact that both were still portrayed as whole, complex, and ultimately joyful people in spite of their hardships. Definitely a book I recommend checking out, though be aware that it does have smutty content.
Monstress, Vol. 1: Awakening, Monstress, Vol. 2: The Blood, Monstress, Vol. 3: Haven by Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda
I’ve been devouring this comic and absolutely loving it. Maika is powerful and broken and badass and I love her dynamic with all the other characters. Kippa is so precious and adorable. Master Ren is a magical talking cat, which, I mean, what else does a book really need? And I just love, love, love the world-building and atmosphere and the very sinister, foreboding direction the story has been taking so far.
Articles
Mount Grace Priory
Super informative little article that gives me something to add to my list of places to visit if I ever go to Europe.
What Did the Ancient Egyptians Eat?
An informative piece about the food and drinks available to the people of Ancient Egypt. It’s especially interesting to see what has and hasn’t carried on into modern times.
Other
Violet Times
A beautiful poem about the author’s experience coming out as asexual.
What I’ve Created
Books/Short Stories
Those Who Fall
It’s finally out in paperback! I had hoped to get this sorted out earlier in the year, but having a C-section and some other personal life chaos threw me back several steps. But now it’s here and I’ve held it in my hands and it’s amazing to see TWO OF MY OWN BOOKS in physical form.
Just like when She Who Rises released in paperback, you can order this book to your local bookstore or library (or from Amazon, if that’s your thing). For easier ordering, the ISBNs are:
She Who Rises: 9781777160609
Those Who Fall: 9781777160616
If you get a copy of either of these books, please take a photo and tag me in it on Insta or Twitter! I would love to see where my stories end up in the world. My handle is @RachaellaWrites
Articles
What It Takes to Photograph the Family Pet for the Last Time
A piece I wrote about the old family cat, Olive. It was nice to look back on photos of her and reminisce about the life she got to spend with us.
Part honey, part whore: Sex shaming and internalized misogyny in the House of Night and She chose vengeance and anger: Sex shaming and internalized misogyny in the House of Night [Part 2]
This essay has been in the works for months, and ended up so long that I had to split it into two parts. And that’s after I cut parts from it! Needless to say, I had a looot of thoughts on this subject. Always feels good to flex my sociology muscles a bit!
You may have noticed, across all these wrap-ups, that a lot of the pieces I share or create are hosted by a site called Vocal. It’s a platform I’ve been using since 2019, and I’ve always really enjoyed it. It’s free, you can earn a little bit of money here and there off story reads or tips, and it’s a great way for me to step outside my comfort zone and experiment with writing about different topics without worrying too much about what that work will do for me in the long term.
The site is free to use, as I said, but there is the option to sign up for a Vocal+ membership. This allows you to enter more contests, plus you earn more from story reads and can withdraw money from your wallet in lesser quantities.
If all of this sounds interesting to you, then I highly recommend checking Vocal out. And if you decide to sign up with Vocal+, please do so with my Ambassador link. I earn a small commission if you do.
