Raven Oak's Blog, page 4

Attorney at Nothing

Few people like to think about death. So few that according to Gallup, 54% of U.S. adults do not have a will. Those who do are mostly over the age of 65, are upper class, and are white. Most are educated with at least one college degree.

I could say something about how death doesn’t care about ethnicity, skin color, age, education, or wealth, but in reality, it does. Because of prejudice, racism, police brutality, homophobia, genetics, access to health care and countless other issues, some fo...

Inclusivity for All

GeekGirlCon’s new announcement… Oof. Where to begin?

I’ve been a geek my entire life. I’ve been bullied for it growing up and as an adult. Most of us have. Being queer and nonbinary on top of it means I’ve grown up in a world that wishes I didn’t exist. Okay, I take that back. Many folks in this world don’t care that I’m an Autistic, neurodivergent, disabled, nonbinary queer geek, but there are enough people in the world who wish me harm that it makes for an interesting life. 

Especially i...

Book 101 Review Pt 4

I love cross-genre writing so it makes sense that I would make a holiday-themed spec fic collection.”

For the month of February, I’m the Author of the Month on the Book 101 Review, a podcast with over 700 episodes and run by Daniel Lucas. I was interviewed in four parts, which will come out across the month of February.

Here’s part four of the interview!

You can listen to it over on Spotify or Apple. It hasn’t made it over to YouTube yet. I’m not sure why, but if that changes, I’ll l...

DiNozzo Needs Help

DiNozzo is currently in the ER fighting for his cat life, and we need help.

He has battled Feline Herpes, genetic issues, epilepsy, IBD, and small cell lymphoma. Something changed this week and no one has any idea what’s going on in his little body.

The last 16 hours cost us $9000 and with Molli newly disabled and unemployed, we don’t have the money for this. We’re living on what little savings we have left and need whatever help you can give.

Normally, I’m the one helping folks, b...

Rare Disease Day

I’m rare. Lucky me!

/end sarcasm

It’s Rare Disease Day in the USA & while that has nothing to do with speculative fiction, it does have to do with me.

When I was first diagnosed with Sjögren’s (auto-immune disease), I thought it was rare, but I soon learned that it’s only rare when you look at the percentage of funding dollars that goes towards finding a cure. It often goes undiagnosed because doctors don’t understand it & often act like it’s just “dry eyes.”

What is Sjögren’s?...

Book 101 Review Pt 3

Like most of my work, the idea of justice is important. It certainly is in Class-M Exile. Having two morally gray characters in a world of prejudice makes for some interesting storytelling.”

For the month of February, I’m the Author of the Month on the Book 101 Review, a podcast with over 700 episodes and run by Daniel Lucas. I was interviewed in four parts, which will come out across the month of February.

Here’s part three of the interview!

You can listen to it over on Spotify or A...

RAINN

I am trying to be better about blogging here more, so I woke up this morning with a plan for this post. I was going to talk a bit about some good books I’ve read lately and some excellent TV I’ve been spending time with, but then a friend sent me a link and it undid my morning. This is not to blame the friend–this was information I needed to know–especially considering that I just wrote RAINN into my will. Yeah…

For those not familiar, RAINN is the Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network. I...

Book 101 Review Pt 2

Amaskan’s Blood is the most personal book I’ve ever written, outside of my memoir. That’s saying something for a fictional work.”

For the month of February, I’m the Author of the Month on the Book 101 Review, a podcast with over 700 episodes and run by Daniel Lucas. I was interviewed in four parts, which will come out across the month of February. Here’s part two of the interview!

You can listen to it over on Spotify or Apple, or you can watch the YouTube video:

The post Book 101 R...

Book 101 Review Pt 1

Writing is something I have to do. I don’t really have an option here.”

For the month of February, I’m the Author of the Month on the Book 101 Review, a podcast with over 700 episodes and run by Daniel Lucas. I was interviewed in four parts, which will come out across the month of February. To kick things off, here’s part one of the interview with me.

You can listen to it over on Spotify or Apple, or you can watch the YouTube video:

The post Book 101 Review Pt 1 appeared first on R...

Cover Art

I *finally* get to share this so here goes!

I was recently hired to paint new cover art for  The Oracle Chronicles series by T. J. DesChamps, which features a middle-aged, badass woman named Lydia, who is a Greek Oracle in modern day. The series takes place in the Pacific Northwest, so I got to stretch my tree and mountain painting chops.I love this series and was so happy to do the covers. The story is interesting and unique with some serious queer representation. From start to finish...