Sage Nestler's Blog, page 3

Charity Anthology Open Call: We Bite Back

I am excited to announce that through my indie publisher, Pride with a Bite, we are putting together an anthology of queer horror/horror-adjacent and non-fiction works, and all proceeds will go to benefit Human Rights Campaign.

As a part of the queer community, this is a cause near and dear to my heart. With the amount of hatred and abuse I have experienced since the election results, as well as many of my loved ones in the community, it is more important than ever that we make our voices heard.

We are here, we have always been here, and we will STILL BE HERE.

FIND FULL OPEN-CALL INFORMATION BELOW

Charity Anthology Open Call: We Bite Back

Are you in need of 2SLGBTQIA+ resources?

Please find them below

HRC RESOURCESMake a one-time donation

Thank you so much for your support! It means the world to me.

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Your contribution is appreciated.

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New to My Shop: Eye See You E-Reader, Book or Tablet Sleeve

For those who don’t know, I run an Etsy shop called The Bookish Crocheter, where I feature handmade bookish accessories. I am a master crocheter with the Crochet Guild of America (CGOA) and have been crocheting for over 22 years. I create all of my own designs, and specialize in unique e-reader, book, and tablet sleeves. However, I also feature various bookish accessories.

With the holidays just around the corner, I will be listing new items frequently for your perusal and sharing them on here.

First up is the Eye See You Sleeve !

Are you worried about the safety of your e-reader, book, or tablet? Fear no more with the Eye See You Sleeve! It puts an eye front and center to make sure no one lays their grubby hands on your valuables.

This sleeve is made from my own design using recycled materials from a local found objects craft store. All of my designs are my own and cannot be found anywhere else! It features flaps to secure your e-reader, book, or tablet in place. I professionally finish my sleeves by cleaning them with a special soap to remove any oils, dirt, etc. that may naturally occur while it is being made, and I block them to maintain their shape and secure the crochet stitches. They all come with a lifetime warranty as well, so any repair you may need in the future is covered!

*NOTE: This sleeve is special, because you can choose the color of the iris of your eye, whether you want it bloodshot, as well as change out the chartreuse stripes for a different color! The color of the flaps will match the iris color that you choose. (Fill out personalization information when ordering)

*MADE TO ORDER* – Select which size you would like based on the size of your Kindle, Nook, any other e-reader, or choose for it to fit standard paperbacks or hardbacks.

*Don’t see the size that you need? Feel free to message me! I can make this sleeve in any size that you would like. (Prices differ depending on the size)

*FREE US SHIPPING

ORDER HERE

Book Review: Grief and Video Game Horror Tango in this YA Horror Debut

Such Lovely Skin

by Tatiana Schlote-Bonne

SynopsisTL;DR

Click on the images below to zoom

Overall Rating

4/5

Spooky Rating

3/5

Quick Take

Such Lovely Skin by Tatiana Schlote-Bonne is a beautiful mix of so many things. At first glance, it is reminiscent of The Ring and focuses on an evil video game that overhauls a young girl’s life; however, deep grief and guilt underly it all. It is as frightening as it is heartbreaking, and that is truly what makes it such an essential read for young adults and adults alike.

Tell Me More

I am a huge fan of young adult horror and have loved watching the genre expand. Young adult horror for me, growing up, meant Goosebumps and Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. These are still ingrained in my soul, but I wish that there had been more options. This is exactly why I have so much fun reading young adult horror as an adult due to the intense variety now available.

Such Lovely Skin by Tatiana Schlote-Bonne was one of my most anticipated reads of 2024, and I was more than honored when I was granted an ARC for it! The book reminds me a lot of the movie Cam on Netflix due to its focus on mimics – a horror concept I find absolutely terrifying (make sure to watch that movie if you haven’t, it is superb*). But this book went above and beyond. It focuses on grief horror and cancel culture, while highlighting how many of us – but especially the younger generations – are obsessed with subscriber/follower counts on social media and other platforms, while trying to be seen and feel important in a world where everything about our lives is shared for public consumption and criticism. It highlights how the competition for recognition is so toxic and detrimental to our wellbeing and sense of self, which can often cause us to make mistakes or poor choices. Schlote-Bonne didn’t shy away from controversy, and she showed not only in her main character, Viv, but also in her side character, Ash, that all of us can be misunderstood, toxic, and unlikeable because we are all human and we aren’t black and white.

Our mistakes do not make us bad people, and I think that is such a beautiful message – especially for the younger audience for whom this book is intended.

Viv struggles with grief and guilt over the death of her little sister because she blames herself for the accident. She never told her parents the truth behind how her sister died, and her part in it, which caused the guilt to take over her life. She is a horror video game streamer and is offered the opportunity to test out a new game, but the game ends up capturing her information and a mimic forms to take over her life. A lot of the novel focuses on Viv trying to fight the mimic to avoid the loss of her reputation and damage to her personal life, while also struggling with hiding the true cause of little sister’s death. I loved how the language was written well for a younger age group, but the book tackled intense subjects that may save a lot of lives. Schlote-Bonne opened up the door for readers to see that it is more than okay, in fact, it is essential that we share things that we may have done and are ashamed about, because it helps us to connect with others and realize that we are not alone.

This brings me to Ash. The author started Ash out as this Christian Slater-esque, brooding outsider that is common in so many teen books and films. But she turned the trope on its head and created him to be a character who is real and defied all stereotypes. Her ability to create compelling characters is magical, and I was amazed. The mix of horror with real-world issues will connect not only to teens, but to adults as well.

Sometimes Viv was a character who was hard to love. She was unlikeable to the point of almost being insufferable; however, I must mention that this was extremely important for her character. Grief, guilt, and growing up at the same time are more than messy, and it highlighted how painful these experiences are on their own, but life-shattering when combined. At first, she did come off as self-absorbed, but I thought that this was crucial in telling her story. It made the reader see her in this difficult light, before peeling away her layers and revealing what was underneath.

The writing felt like a younger level of writing, but based on the author’s letter, she wrote this book to try and write a book for young, reluctant readers. I thought that this made a lot of sense, because Schlote-Bonne highlighted heavy subjects in a language that was easier to follow and absorb. Just be aware that if you are an adult, the writing style might not be for you.

If you love video game based horror with deep messages and compelling characters, you are going to love this book. I cannot stop thinking about it, and the fact that Such Lovely Skin is a debut novel has made Tatiana Schlote-Bonne an essential author to watch!

*NOTE: Please be advised that Cam focuses on sexual “camming” and “cam girls,” which may be disturbing for some viewers.

Featured QuotesMake a one-time donation

Thank you so much for your support. It means the world to me!

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Your contribution is appreciated.

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Your contribution is appreciated.

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NOTICE: Hiatus

Important Notice

Due to a severe mental health crisis and personal circumstances, I am on hiatus. My Instagram account is temporarily deactivated, but all reviews are still posted on Goodreads, Medium, Tumblr, and Amazon.

I will resume all reviews, interviews, articles, etc. I have committed to when I return. I appreciate your patience and kindness.

*NOTE: I am closed to review requests until further notice

Thank you,

Guest Interview: Author and Sensitivity Reader Zin E Rocklyn

Happy Thursday, Everyone!

I am excited to share with you a guest interview I had with Zin E Rocklyn – horror author and sensitivity reader! She is passionate about the importance of Black Queer voices being heard – especially in the horror genre – and offers sensitivity reading for authors on the following topics:

Black WomanhoodDepressionC/PTSDAnxietyAddictionMental IllnessDestitutionSex WorkIsolationHorrorThe WeirdContact Zin to learn more about her services and pricing!

Link: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:qhr6wtwvdelxj673bhaseb3b

Email: teri.m.clarke@gmail.com

Interview with Zin

1) You have such a strong and powerful presence, and I love the various topics you are able to provide sensitivity reading for.  Can you tell me a bit about what made you want to do sensitivity reading?  Also, which of the topics are you most passionate about?

Honestly? I got tired of the tired tropes and stereotypes I kept seeing of Black people and Black Queer people, so I decided to do something about it. I found out about sensitivity readings on Twitter (refuse to call it that letter) and I offered my services in a tweet. It took off from there!

2) How do your personal experiences influence your own writing?

I tend to exorcise my own demons through writing and nothing covers inner demons like horror! I believe the more real you are about your experiences, the more impactful and important the work. And it reaches the right audience. I’ve always wanted to make a difference somehow and writing has always been my voice.

3) What are your thoughts on authors writing about topics or characters with conditions or identities that they don’t have personal experience with?

Writing outside of one’s experience is an ever-expanding practice for the imagination. I think it’s healthy and important to be genuinely curious about our fellow man because our differences is what strengthens our community (imagine a group with only hunters, wouldn’t work). But that curiosity needs to come with respect, not the desire to mould the perspective into our vision or minimize it. Having said that, while important, it can be dangerous to write without having the proper education and humility to ask for support and feedback. And not just from your friends! Friends are great but they also tread lightly, no matter how blunt they may seem. No one wants to tread on someone’s dream (if they do, get rid of them) so it becomes touchy. That’s why hiring someone who doesn’t know you personally but who also respects the craft is best.

4) Horror, for me, has been such a safe haven – both in reading and writing.  What are some of your favorite horror subgenres?

I love gothic horror and how insidious it is. And supernatural and faery tales because the Veil intrigues me.

5) Why are you drawn to writing horror?

I love how expansive horror is. It can blend seamlessly into other genres because so much of what we experience is horrific; politics, pregnancy, car accidents, near-death experiences, hell, even parents and parenting can be traumatic. Horror is a cathartic way of exploring and dealing with those traumas.

A Note on Sensitivity Reading

Sensitivity reading is so incredibly important for authors, especially when you are writing about a topic that you do not have personal experience with. Zin’s personal experiences and expertise in the listed areas make her an important resource in the writing world. She is such a gem, and I hope that you will consider her for any sensitivity reading you might require as a writer!

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ARC Review: A Symphony of Cults

Cult Following

The Extreme Sects That Capture Our Imaginations – and Take Over Our Lives

by J.W. Ocker

Synopsis

Have you ever wondered how ordinary people end up enmeshed in extreme cults? Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about history’s most notorious cults—and the psychology of the people who join them—is packed into this accessible, engaging volume. Walk in the footsteps of those who were lured into such sinister groups as:

Branch Davidians: This cult was waiting out the apocalypse when the FBI infamously raided their compound in Waco, Texas.Los Narcosatánicos: This group of drug traffickers in 1980s Mexico committed human sacrifice and believed their leader had magic powers.Breatharianism: Breatharians believe that humans can live on air alone, and their founder claimed to have gone without food for seventeen years.NXIVM: This twenty-first-century cult attracted Hollywood actresses and engaged in sex trafficking, forced labor, and racketeering under the guise of personal development seminars.Heaven’s Gate: The Heaven’s Gate UFO cult ended in the suicide of thirty-nine members who believed they would ascent to a spaceship after death.

In this fascinating collection, weird history expert J. W. Ocker sheds light on the terrifying attraction of cults, demonstrating the elasticity of belief, the desperateness of belonging, and the tragedy of trust.

Overall Rating

4/5

Quick Take

I am a big fan of J.W. Ocker’s The United States of Cryptids, so I was very honored when I was offered an advanced reading copy of Cult Following!  This book came out on September 10, 2024, and it is an excellent resource. 

Tell Me More

The book is divided by types of beliefs (including the search for truth, protection, purpose, salvation, and betterment) while providing short histories for a wide range of cults that have existed over time.  I enjoyed reading Ocker’s introduction and epilogue, especially his mention of how due to tough personal circumstances, he was able to understand the allure of cults and the promises they suggest.  He did an excellent job of explaining that people don’t set out to join “cults,” they tend to seek communities where they will feel accepted and important, and the development of cults are built on that premise. They generally rely on the trust of their followers, while using and abusing it.

While I knew about quite a few of the cults presented, I was happy to see the addition of cults that aren’t as well known.  This provided a great selection of new information and made me want to look further into many of them.  Ocker did well to not include filler, and focused on the necessary information for each group.

However, I do have to bring this up.  It felt that for some of the cults, instead of providing unbiased information, there was a “mocking” tone that bothered me.  While those of us who are not a part of cults may find them silly or ridiculous, those who were involved have a completely different experience.  This brings me to the Branch Davidians.  I feel that I need to bring this up considering they are the first cult mentioned in the synopsis.

If you have known me for any amount of time, you may know how passionate I am about the tragedy that occurred at Waco.  Back in 2020, I had the honor of interviewing David Thibodeau – the author of the book that inspired the limited series – which led me to getting to talk to the remaining survivors, attend their yearly memorials for the lives of those who were lost, write a piece on the PTSD that they still live with, and connect with Clive Doyle before his passing in 2022.  In no way do I condone the actions of David Karesh, but I do have a problem with the political aspects of the siege itself, and the lies that have been told due to government involvement.  The book that was referenced in the back of Cult Following on Waco (Waco: David Koresh, the Branch Davidians, and a Legacy of Rage) is not a reliable resource and was heavily influenced by government bias.  I am including slides here featuring both David and Clive’s books as suggested reading instead, because they were there, and I tend to trust the survivors of such tragedies over the stories the media tells. Clive’s book is hard to track down, but a lot of his story is on the survivor’s website, listed below.

 Overall, this is a great resource for learning the basic facts on a plethora of different cults, and why it can be so easy to become a part of them.  Ocker presented the information well and in a concise manner.  I would just advise everyone to take the information on each cult with a grain of salt and urge you to pursue your own research before making assumptions. Misinformation runs rampant when it comes to cults in general.

*Thank you to Quirk Books for the ARC!

Resources on Waco

Link to David’s Book

Link to Clive’s Book

The Official Website by the Survivors: https://www.wacosurvivors.com/

My Interview with David: https://themighty.com/topic/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/interview-waco-survivor-david-thibodeau-ptsd/

My Article on PTSD and Waco: https://themighty.com/topic/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/how-the-siege-at-waco-caused-28-years-of-ptsd/

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Author Spotlight: Gray O’Dell

This week’s author spotlight is on Gray O’Dell! They are one of the staff writers for my eZine, A Bite of Pride, through my indie publishing house Pride with a Bite. They are such an excellent talent, and I am so excited to share them with you!

Author Bio

Gray O’Dell is an acclaimed horror author celebrated for their gripping short stories and novellas that delve into the darkest forests, cemeteries, and graveyards. A lifelong bibliophile, Gray’s passion for storytelling ignited at a young age, fueled by their voracious reading habit that spanned a diverse range of genres. However, it was the eerie allure of horror that captivated Gray’s imagination, compelling them to explore the genre’s chilling depths.

The Glass Princess

Gray’s recent project, The Glass Princess, is a gothic ghost story and can be read on Inkitt!

You can find them here: 

Website: thatonehorrorreader.com

Instagram: Instagram.com/authorgraysonodell

Inkitt: Inkitt.com/grayodell

Facebook: Facebook.com/authorgraysonodell

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Book Tour: Man Made Monsters by Andrea L. Rogers Review & Author Interview

Man Made Monsters by Andrea L. Rogers Synopsis

Tsalagi should never have to live on human blood, but sometimes things just happen to sixteen-year-old girls.

Following one extended Cherokee family across the centuries, from the tribe’s homelands in Georgia in the 1830s to World War I, the Vietnam War, our own present, and well into the future, each story delivers a slice of a particular time period.

Alongside each story, Cherokee artist and language technologist Jeff Edwards delivers illustrations that incorporate Cherokee syllabary.

Book Review

Overall Rating: 5/5

Spooky Rating: 4/5

“There are plenty of bad men to feed on and that is what I decided to do. Greed and avarice have no mercy. I became merciless too.”

This book took my breath away.

Not only is it stunning, but having all of the stories connected through a family line and taking place in different time periods was brilliant. It covers heavy historical events and how they impacted indigenous folks while also throwing in classic horror elements.

This is not an easy read. It made me so angry and heartbroken, and it requires a lot of effort from the reader. The author incorporated the Cherokee language, and I had to refer to the glossary many times throughout my reading. I personally found this to be a beautiful and essential addition, but some readers might find it difficult to follow.

Jeff Edwards’ artwork was impeccable and complimented each story well. For young adult horror, this collection went hard, and it quite literally changed me. I am not indigenous, but I have always been very passionate about indigenous rights. I specialized in Navajo issues when I was in college in Arizona, which only increased my passion. I loved having the honor of interviewing Andrea about young adult horror and the importance of indigenous voices in general, but especially within the horror genre. I am so blessed to have been given the opportunity to share this book with you all, as it should be essential reading.

An Interview with Author Andrea L. RogersWhat made you want to venture into writing horror for young readers?

I loved horror when I was a kid, but when my own children were growing up I didn’t see anything for them with people who looked like my family or weren’t stereotypes or misappropriation of Native beliefs corrupted for scares. And, unfortunately, the history of our peoples is horrific, so it is a hard story to tell because it is built for horror. So how do you not?

It took a long time before I felt ready to write horror that existed in what I considered an authentic space, that used Western horror tropes and characters in a way that Native people could enjoy and not feel like they had read trauma porn. Yes, we have been targeted for extinction and we have to respond to that, but we aren’t defined by it.

I didn’t see a lot of stories like the ones I wanted to write out there and I knew kids wanted them, I wanted them. So, I wrote them.

How do you feel young adult horror differs from horror for adults?

Ideally, I feel like a young adult author centers the reader and tries to do no harm.

Why do you think it is important that young readers read horror?

Horror is in conversation with the world. It gives you a place where you can be scared, but then close the book. You can’t do that with the world, or at least it’s very hard. Horror helps you come up with survival strategies. Native people have had to do that for a long time. Those lessons in our stories, that’s how we remember, honor, and adapt.

How has your identity as a citizen of the Cherokee Nation impacted your horror writing?

I think the loss of language is horrific. It’s terrifying. I try to get that across in my work and remind readers we have to learn to speak now. There is no future without a present that privileges our culture through the language.

What do you hope readers will take away from Man Made Monsters ? 

I want brown girls to know their survival is what matters. The world is better off with you. I also believe Indigenous ways of interacting with the world are better for the planet and people, so I hope people will consider that in whatever way works for them and their families. I want people to know that we, Indigenous people, are still here.

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LIMITED RELEASE – Grizzly: A Charity Anthology

Happy Sunday, Horror Fiends!

I am excited to share with you a limited release anthology called Grizzly: A Charity Anthology. My story The Hardest Word is included in this anthology alongside so many other talented authors! It is only available until September 10 and all proceeds go to support Take Back the Night.

Synopsis

Boys will be boys.
Bears will be bears…

Brace yourself for twenty mixed-genre tales, all tied together with a neat bear- shaped bow that your mother would be proud of. Guaranteed to make you ‘smile more often’ and rage like it’s ‘that time of the month’.

Written by femme SA survivors for all SA survivors, Grizzly is the charity anthology that aims to give back and bite back.

Sometimes, when you can’t find the strength to roar, a growl will do.

BUY NOW

My full review of all of the stories and poems included will be up soon! It is such an eclectic collection and very diverse genre-wise. So much passion went into each piece in this collection, and it is such a sensitive but essential read.

I hope that you take the time to check Grizzly: A Charity Anthology out and support the cause!

Much love,

Ashley Nestler, MSW

CEO of The Horror Maven

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ARC Review: Motherhood Horror but Make it Psychological and Gothic

Ghost Mother by Kelly Dwyer Synopsis

Ghost Mother is a mesmerizing psychological ghost story that blurs the thin line between reality and delusion. 

Lilly Bly desperately wants to have a baby. She is struggling with infertility and bad spending habits when her husband, Jack, gets a new job that moves them from Chicago to a small town in Wisconsin. Impractical Lilly falls in love with a decrepit mansion well out of their price range—she is convinced that she will finally get pregnant and have a baby in this house—and Jack reluctantly agrees to buy the wreck. But when Lilly learns that her dream house was the site of a gruesome triple homicide/suicide in the 1950s, she begins to experience strange occurrences that soon lead her to believe the house is haunted. Are her ghostly encounters real, or is this a cascading mental breakdown? As Lilly learns more about the deaths and her visions become increasingly vivid, her relationship with Jack deteriorates, leading to a dramatic and irreversible climax.

Perfect for fans of classic, gothic horror fiction, like Henry James’s The Turn of the Screw and Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House, as well as contemporary suspense and horror fiction by everyone from Stephen King to Ruth Ware.  

Release Date

8/6/2024

Overall Rating

4/5

Spooky Rating

3/5

Quick Take

Ghost Mother by Kelly Dwyer is many things at once. It explores pregnancy loss in all forms, infertility, and trauma, while pairing it with a gothic haunted house and psychological horror. Lilly Bly is such a wonderful unreliable narrator and unhinged woman, and I still don’t know what was real or not. That sense of insecurity about the truth is absolutely delectable in horror novels, and I ate it up!

Tell Me More

There are some books that come along and hit you straight in the chest, Ghost Mother did just that.  

Ghost Mother is a novel that comes packing. It is a lot, but in the best way! It combines motherhood horror, psychological horror, and classic gothic themes with an unhinged female narrator, Lilly, who is extremely unreliable. But it also focuses on heavy topics such as abortion, miscarriage, infertility, trauma, shopping addiction, suicide, murder, and so much more.  

When I have read motherhood horror before, I found that many of them tend to mirror Rosemary’s Baby, and there is not a ton of variation.  But Kelly Dwyer broke the subgenre by incorporating a haunted house story and murder mystery while exploring all sides of motherhood and pregnancy.  It is one of the only books that I have read that openly discusses abortion in a way that is not preachy or opinionated and respects the loss that many people feel after having an abortion.  As a survivor of an unwanted abortion myself and having had to mourn in silence for so many years, this was extremely therapeutic for me.  Miscarriage is also openly discussed, and I loved how Dwyer highlighted these aspects of pregnancy in such a blatant way without sugarcoating any of it.  It was painful and uncomfortable, but so cathartic. Based on how much it impacted me, I have a feeling it will do the same for many others.  Just be sure to check the content warnings, because there is some graphic imagery of lost fetuses that may be triggering for some readers.

The haunting aspect of the story, and the concept of being a “ghost mother” were explored in a few different ways, such as being a mother to ghost children, which I found fascinating.  The haunting imagery and backstory reminded me a lot of Theme Music by T. Marie Vandelly, which I loved, and the history of the tragedy that occurred in the house filled my gothic horror loving heart. 

However, I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5 because there were so many concepts involved, and they weren’t all fully developed (I would have loved to have seen more of the circus past of the house explored.)  This, paired with the unreliable aspect of Lilly’s narrative, made it hard to follow at times.  However, the ending floored me, and even though I still am unsure what was truth or fiction, it was interesting to see a “happy ending” end up being so bizarre. This redefined exactly what it means to have a “happy ending,” and how different that is for everyone.

It is so hard to fully summarize my thoughts on this novel as I have so many, but all I can say is read it for yourself and see how it impacts you. It is unlike any other motherhood horror novel I have read, and I was so happy to experience such a refreshing take. I can’t wait to read more of Dwyer’s work!

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Thank you to author Kelly Dwyer and Union Square & Co. for the ARC.