Logospilgrim's Blog, page 9
November 29, 2016
living space
What’s shakin’, bongo players.
I’m not done with Secular Holiday yet, though I will be working on it this week.
I got a bit distracted last week.
I wanted to add some 70s inspired shagadelicness to my living space. So that’s what I did, and I can’t begin to tell you how happy I am about it.
For the past three years now, I’ve been making some major changes to my personal refuge. When I moved into this house with Mr P lo these many years ago—twelve years ago, to be exact—my office was entirely dedicated to Professor Snape. I more or less recreated his office. It was fun. Bugs and jars and books everywhere.
There was also a big part of the room that was my “Orthodox church at home”—a wall of icons, with areas for incense and everything else. Prostration center.
Them Orthodox days are over and long…
View original post 1,232 more words
November 12, 2016
the state of me
Kind readers,
what a world, eh? Apparently, many are embracing a feverish “let’s give fascism a chance” mindset; good luck with that.
I’d like to hope that we’re witnessing the rancid and apoplectic death throes of conservatism everywhere. They’re displaying the nastiest they have to offer for all the world to see, without a doubt. And I’ve certainly never abhorred evangelical christianity (and religion in general) more than I do now, which is saying something.
Fuck, this shit is exhausting, though. I doubt I’ll be watching the news much over the next four years, because on the rare occasions I’ve done so this past week, I felt ill and wound up thinking things like “If all else fails, there’s always a bottle of pills.” So yeah. PTSD hell for sure. It’s been a while since I had thoughts like that. I’ll be taking care of myself (I’m through treating myself like a damn second thought), and doing the one thing I CAN do, which is writing. This is how I fight. And stay alive.
If anyone has a problem with this, my response is, tell me again how I should live my life.
A lot of books ahead.
Also, the pile of Festivus toys and gifts I’m currently amassing will make last year’s pile look like a little bump.
If you’d like to know how Quietus went, take a look here. In a nutshell: it was magical.
I’m really not sure I’ll be doing this again. It was wonderful, but it took a whole lot out of me. Maybe in a couple of years, I’ll change my mind, but… I don’t know that I will. As it is, I’m definitely not going to MISTI. Not only am I tired, but I have no intention of visiting a country run by a sociopathic demagogue. Also, the big fandom conventions and all that… I’m at a point in my life where I’m moving on from this. I’ve been to Convention Alley twice, to Witching Hour, to Lumos, Prophecy, Infinitus, Aeternitas, Ascendio, to MISTI twice… Only three times did I not go to an event I’d planned to attend: Phoenix Rising, Leviosa (I was supposed to speak, and let them know six months in advance I wouldn’t be going), and now MISTI 2017.
I’m done. It’s enough. I was so drained during MISTI 2015, I think I was coming to the realization that a chapter of my life was ending.
My final HP fandom contribution, if I may call it that way, will be my book Severus Snape and the Art of Being Human. It won’t be so much a fandom thing, or an analysis of Professor Snape, but more like the story of how he helped me get through many changes and upheavals, right up to my secular present. It’s going to be a celebration of being human.
My enjoyment of Harry Potter is more a personal thing than a fandom thing these days. As I’ve mentioned in a previous post, the “Fantastic Beasts” trailers fail to rouse my interest; if anything, I find them tedious and boring. “How many more billions can we squeeze out of this thing?”
I’d much rather add to my toy collection, read about Tiki culture and 70s kitsch, and write more books.
I’ve also moved on from Livejournal.
You can find me here, on Twitter, Instagram, and Imzy. I’ll be writing personal posts on Apostate Island.
Here’s a Twitter friend, Kaxas11, with her copies of my latest books:
Supportive photos like these are always phenomenally appreciated.
Right now, I’ll be focusing on Hit the Road and Be Who You Are and My Merry Secular Holiday.
Another thing: is peri-menopause a bucket of fun, or what. I was a month late this month; so, skipped a month for the first time ever, and it’s hit me like a fucking sledgehammer, let me tell you. I need more pain medication even as I write this. And a nap. Lately, when I have to do an errand or whatever, I’ll just pull on a fresh pair of trunks, throw on some jeans, get my grubby hoodied self over to the store, grab what I need, and rush back home. I just don’ts care. Ya knows?
So anyway, thank you for playing! And remember, Elvis loves you.
Your devoted
Logospilgrim, the quiet professor
Tagged: Harry Potter conventions, Quietus 2016, writing
October 23, 2016
reinvented vintage
What’s shakin’, bongo players? And once again, it’s been a while. I want to turn this blog into my “here’s my thoughts” blog, so I will be updating it on a regul…
Source: reinvented vintage
October 17, 2016
new book, devil horns, three piece suits
Kind readers,
I’m happy to say that my new book, Atheist Tiki Hour: Your Guide to a Secular Blast, is now available in print.
It makes me giddy just saying “my Atheist Republic book.”
Click on the cover below to get your copy.
As ever, your reviews are extremely important and immensely appreciated. Please help me get to fifty reviews by Festivus! This number of reviews will increase the book’s visibility on Amazon (due to their logarithm doodad thingies). Even a line or two will make a huge difference.
The book has begun getting kind reviews, which goes straight to my heart.
Read The Crusty Sceptic‘s marvelous review on his blog here.
And look: eep!!
I shared that tweet because I thought his book and mine had a couple of things in common, and it helps, apparently, when you’re promoting a book (or at least trying to promote it), to compare it to a similar book or whatever. He has so many followers that I never imagined he’d even see it, let alone reply anything at all to it! I love his work and I think he’s absolutely terrific, so I was in shock when I saw his tweet appear in my notifications. It was so kind of him to do that.
I’m better at it than I used to be, but I still find promoting my work terribly difficult and exhausting. Fortunately, I have many beautiful supporters, like the one who recently sent me a direct message on Twitter that said, “I believe in you. I REALLY do. You deserve to be read.” I started crying.
Even though I often feel like an idiot for putting my books out there (who the fuck am I, you know? What makes me think I have anything worthwhile to say bla bla bla), I do it anyway, and the encouragement I get keeps growing. So I keep going.
Today, I updated my Goodreads profile for the first time in I can’t remember how long.
As you can see, I’m very serious about what I do.
Earlier this week, I took promotional photographs of myself.
The first day, I got going too late, but I managed to quickly snap a few neat pictures while the sun was setting.
As I wrote on Twitter, I looked like I was in a nondescript, late 60s neighbourhood on my way to bang Lana Del Rey or something.
The next day, I got started earlier, but when I went outside, I didn’t last long because it was so cold and windy (my camera lens fogged up when I returned inside).
I was often channeling my inner Tom Waits.
When I went back inside, I decided to take photos in my work space, which I’d never done, at least not with my good camera. And the light was great, so…
I had a lot of fun with the red devil horns and green suit. Oh, and the cigar is a Halloween prop.
Unfortunately, I also managed to catch the bug my partner had, a nasty head cold. So this was me yesterday, with Potion the nursemaid:
I’m starting to feel better, which is fantastic, because I hate taking cold medication.
In other news, I’ll be giving podcast interviews in the coming weeks. I’ll be keeping you updated, in the event you’d like to hear me ramble.
Speaking of which, I am now Miss Old Grumbly in Peachy Fiend‘s hilarious animated series Unicorn and Toast.
If you want to hear me ranting like a wacky old woman, watch the episode here.
It’ll soon be time for Quietus 2016. I’m looking forward to an intimate gathering (there’s going to be a dozen of us) with wonderful people in a fantastic setting.
That being said, I’m no longer entirely sure I’ll be able to go to MISTI next year, due to issues involving logistics and, frankly, exhaustion. I really don’t know at this point.
Right now, I’ve got my mind on more books, including another Atheist Republic title next summer, possibly.
I’ll be giving another talk at the Center For Inquiry in Ottawa at the start of December.
Welp, that’s all the latest! Thanks for playing
October 9, 2016
Unicorn & Toast 1.2 -Miss Old Grumbly
Want to hear me as the voice of Miss Old Grumbly? Watch episode two of Peachy Fiend’s awesome Unicorn and Toast cartoon!
Unicorn & Toast 1.2 – Miss Old Grumbly from Laura Besh on Vimeo.
October 3, 2016
e-Book edition of Atheist Tiki Hour now available
Kind readers,
although the PR and festivities will only really kick off once the print edition of Atheist Tiki Hour becomes available in a few days, the e-Book version went live last night, and I thought I’d share this with you.
Here is the first page (courtesy of a Twitter friend who loved the book), with the glorious Atheist Republic logo above my name. This does something to me that I can’t quite put into words. I am incredibly grateful to Armin and Casper for believing in my work and publishing my book.
If you’d like a copy of the e-Book, please click on the cover below:
If you enjoy the book, please leave a review on Amazon—even a line or two would be extremely helpful, and profoundly appreciated.
When the book hits 50 reviews, Amazon will greatly increase its visibility. This would truly be one of the most fantastic things that have ever happened to me. It would encourage me more than I can express.
Also, your kindness will support not only me, but the important organization that is Atheist Republic as well. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my book and telling others about it.
I’m going to have to rest this afternoon. Fortunately, there are excellent horror films all month on Turner Classic Movies
September 24, 2016
new book coming out soon
Kind readers,
I began the day by crying over my keyboard.
My new book, Atheist Tiki Hour: Your Guide to a Secular Blast, will be released by my publisher Atheist Republic on October 1 (or close to that date).
The cover will probably be a bit different than the one I originally designed.
I can’t fully express my gratitude to Armin Navabi, who asked me last year if I’d publish my next book with Atheist Republic, the organization he founded. Immense gratitude as well to Atheist Republic’s rad editor (and talented author), Casper Rigsby.
While I’m at it, I’d like to thank the following generous and stupendous persons, without whom I’m quite sure this wouldn’t have happened. After I published There’s a Hula Girl on my Dashboard: How I Left Faith Behind and Embraced Life, they gave me unknown me a chance and interviewed me, wrote reviews of my book, told people about it…
Sean McGuire (@GodlessPoutine)—the first atheist blogger who said, “I’d love to read your book.”
Joshua Kelly, author of O, Your God!
I also want to thank CFI Ottawa and Diane Bruce, who asked me to give a talk and who have been so supportive.
I am deeply grateful to the organizer of the amazing Non-Conference, Spencer Lucas, without whom I wouldn’t have met Armin last summer.
I’m too grateful for words to everyone who read, enjoyed, reviewed, and told others about There’s a Hula Girl on my Dashboard. You have no idea how much your kindness and encouragement helped me to keep going, keep writing.
Once the book is out, I will be letting everyone know!
This is the first time I’ll be getting PR assistance from a publisher, and it’s so overwhelming, I’m so utterly grateful for this that it makes me dizzy. I’ve worked very hard for a long time. Last year, I basically started over from scratch after almost a decade of writing religious/mystical books, and leaving religion behind… I started writing books from a secular/humanist/atheist perspective.
I’m exhausted. But I’ll be getting help from Atheist Republic—lovers of freedom and intellectual integrity should support their invaluable work, incidentally—and I’m excited about my list of upcoming books.
There is a great deal of joy in my life, and I’ll continue to write about it, to share it, to spread it around.
Oh, and my Unicorn and Toast character, Old Miss Grumbly, will be a regular character in season two of Peachy Fiend‘s animated series! See the very first episode here. The episode in which Old Miss Grumbly first appears will air around October 16. Stay tuned
September 10, 2016
living, shining, writing
Kind readers,
things have been peaceful and quiet, and after the hard winter we had here, tranquility has felt so very sweet and revivifying.
As soon as I have news about when Atheist Tiki Hour will be released, I’ll let you know! I will be drinking a few celebratory beverages when this happens, I can tell you that.
In the meantime, I’ve been working on a new book. It wasn’t on my list of projects, but it popped inside my head and I had to start writing it immediately.
It’s going to be a short book, less than a hundred pages; probably around eighty.
In fact, I now have a bunch of short books on my upcoming titles list; so far, three (apart from Hit the Road), and they’ll all be around thirty-five pages. One of them is linked to my other website, Apostate Island.
These books have a square format, which will be fun. Another one is titled Be Weird: An Oddball Manifesto. The third is going to be about celebrating a secular holiday season.
As I began writing Hit the Road, I felt more relaxed than I’d ever felt while working on a writing project. Maybe I’m starting to feel more confident, or to worry less about what the book will turn into or whether it’ll be well-received or not. You can’t make everyone happy anyway… Might as well do what you enjoy.
And then there’s this: I’m much happier now that I’m a secular, humanist, atheist person than I ever was during my religious years.
I am letting myself live, and shine. And I’m not putting up with bullshit.
Needless to say, I’ll still be writing Severus Snape and the Art of Being Human and The Rollicking Adventures of an Unrepentant Tomboy! Indeed, Hit the Road has helped me figure out precisely what the focus of Unrepentant Tomboy will be, so yay.
In other news, it would be accurate to say that I’ve now stopped blogging on Livejournal and have moved on to Imzy, where I’ve been very happy. I’ve been reconnecting with loved ones there, and Twitter friends have been joining me there as well, and it’s so vibrant. The people at Imzy are so receptive and enthused, and they’ve been working non-stop on making the site as awesome as it can be.
I continue to collect and accumulate toys toys toys. I often share photos of new toys on Instagram.
I’ve also been reveling in my love of 70s decor and hideously magnificent 70s kitsch in general. Yesterday, I acquired this book and I absolutely cannot wait to get my hands on it:
So, life has been excellent!
Oh, and I’ve also begun recording the song I’ll be singing on that upcoming Rubber Clown Car I’ve told you about in previous posts. I’m going to send them several versions, and they’ll pick the one they like best. Tralala.
Next week, I’ll be getting Halloween treats for Quietus attendees.
Your devoted
Logospilgrim, the quiet professor
Tagged: 1970s, Apostate Island, Atheist Republic, Atheist Tiki Hour, Hit the Road, Rubber Clown Car, writing
August 23, 2016
new book: finished
Kind readers,
so, Atheist Tiki Hour: Your Guide to a Secular Blast is finished.
Here I am with my latest book.
I’ve sent the manuscript to the good people at Atheist Republic. Casper immediately let me know he’d received it and was cracking his knuckles. Hopefully, it’ll appeal to him! As usual, I’ve no idea what the hell it is I did. I wrote, you know, something.
I’m pretty tired today.
In other news, I’ll be doing a photo shoot soon, to showcase one of my dapper new suits.
This is all I’ve got the brain power to write at the moment. In conclusion:
Ramen.
I hope you’re all having a beautiful week[image error]
Your devoted
Logospilgrim, the quiet professor
Tagged: Atheist Republic, Atheist Tiki Hour
August 6, 2016
news news news
Kind readers,
August already. I do, however, love this time of year. August is slow and quiet and lush, summer at its height with the first hints of autumn in the air…
This weekend, I’ll be working on the second edit of Atheist Tiki Hour. Then I’ll send the book to Atheist Republic next week.
*chewing on hands*
A lot of atheist books focus on the history of religion, analyze Biblical contradictions and inaccuracies, knock down creationism, and so on, and they do so very well. I have many of those books; they’re vital. My own books focus more on religion as abusive in nature, religious faith as a relationship with an abuser. I share my own experiences to highlight this reality, and in Tiki Hour I write about how my exposure to domestic violence and the post-traumatic stress disorder I’ve suffered as a result made me extremely susceptible to the poisoned apple of faith. I write about the vulnerable, idealistic, tender-hearted believer who was traumatized into belief, as it were. It’s an awareness campaign.
I also write about the vibrant joy of godless living.
In other news, Quietus 2016!
The room block is all set, and attendees can now make their reservations.
Also, I’m thrilled to announce our first amazing guests.
Lorrie Kim will be giving a lecture and signing copies of her beautiful and insightful brand new book:
On Sunday afternoon, talented musician and song writer Errand of Mercy will be performing gentle Snape inspired acoustic songs for us. She’ll also have copies of her gorgeous CD.
Quietus is set to be a special intimate gathering, which gives me a great deal of happiness.
As soon as Tiki Hour is wrapped up, I’ll start working on these books:
The story of how Logospilgrim’s ideas about Professor Snape helped her
adjust and evolve as she went through a series of life-altering changes.
I hope to have this book ready in time for Quietus, but we’ll see! I will be rambling on Saturday afternoon.
Eat penny candy while sitting on the sidewalk, and do your own damn thing.
Be your kind of happy.
Needless to say, I’ll be letting you know when Atheist Tiki Hour is released as soon as I have that information.
Otherwise, I’m relaxing, enjoying tranquil summer days, and adding more toys to my collection.
I hope you’re having a marvelous summer too.
Your devoted
Logospilgrim, the quiet professor
Tagged: Atheist Republic, Atheist Tiki Hour, Errand of Mercy, Harry Potter conventions, Lorrie Kim, Quietus 2016, Severus Snape and the Art of Being Human, The Rollicking Adventures of an Unrepentant Tomboy
