Well, December is off to a strong start in Ohio. I’m thrilled we got snow. Winter truly is my favorite season. I love the snow, the darkness, the Christmas lights, and of course the threat of gruesome death courtesy of the various monsters that come out at this time of year. If it wasn’t apparent already, I’m particularly fond of Perchta, and I think it’s because her lore turns such a benign thing as sewing into an object of terror. I tend to write about the things that interest me, and I’ve had an interest in sewing ever since I learned it in college. I can’t say I’m very good at it. I have too many hobbies and I don’t spare any of them enough time, but I do make things every now and then. I really enjoy hand sewing. I find it very soothing and I think that’s why Perchta appeals to me so much - the idea of a woman casually sewing up her victim as thoughtlessly as you’d sew together a rip in a sock is the kind of casual, everyday horror that I enjoy.

So keep that house clean, make sure everyone you know gets some clothing as a gift, and good luck surviving the holidays!

Gathering Volumes will be hosting me at Way Public Library in Perrysburg, Ohio, on December 9th! RSVP via Facebook if you can make it. I’d love to see some folks there!

If you haven’t seen it, preorders for The Lady In Chains are currently live! We’re past copyedits at this point and I’m sure you’ve seen some advance copies floating around on social media (and congratulations to the winners of the sweepstakes!) I’m very excited for everyone to start getting their hands on it come this spring. I consider The Lady in Chains “the spider book” because, well… spiders.

Somewhat recently I read Eight-Legged Wonders by James O’Hanlon and in its pages I discovered what is now my favorite spider: the Hyptiotes cavatus. While I enjoy the quiet, everyday horror of a seamstress eviscerating someone with sewing shears, I also enjoy the abrupt and absurd horror that is a spider launching itself with a speed 26 times faster than a space shuttle at its unsuspecting prey.

Anyone else currently playing Silksong, on that note?