Religion is one of the most reliable ways to give a fictional world texture. Not because gods or rituals automatically make a setting epic, but because belief inevitably touches everything: politics, language, identity, rebellion, survival, and even personal identity and mythos. In the Industrialized series, religion isn’t a backdrop. It’s the cultural engine that drivesContinue reading “Religion as World-Flavor and Literary Engine in the Industrialized Series”
Category Archives: Musings
Industrial Gothic: Why Industrialized Is the Perfect Read for the Darker Half of the Year
As a multi-genre author, I’ve found myself reflecting on what common thread draws my stories together. After a bit of reflection, the answer was obvious: gothic elements. There’s a particular type of gothic story that doesn’t rely on crumbling castles or candlelit corridors so much as the slow decay of modern certainties; rooms that turnContinue reading “Industrial Gothic: Why Industrialized Is the Perfect Read for the Darker Half of the Year”
The Perfect Blend of Love and Despair: Exploring the Intriguing World of One Dystopian Romance Book Series
Industrialized, Part One: Experiment is a dystopian book. Plain and simple. It’s somewhat anti-romance, in a way. Sure, there’s love, there’s drama, there’s… I came up with a million excuses for why the Industrialized series is not a dystopian romance book series. Part of that is because I’m aro-ace, so super gushy romance has theContinue reading “The Perfect Blend of Love and Despair: Exploring the Intriguing World of One Dystopian Romance Book Series”
Industrialized: Your Next Book Club Pick
At its core, the Industrialized series spans many heavy themes, making it an especially compelling choice for book club discussions. Oppression, control, and resistance span each facet of the story, but beneath that lies the stories of young people twisted into morally gray characters at the hands of multi-generational abuse. Told by an unreliable narrator,Continue reading “Industrialized: Your Next Book Club Pick”
Politics & Literature: Inherent Politicism, Book Bans, and Why You Should Be Taking Notes
Given the tumultuous nature of the U.S. election cycle, chatter is bound to spring up online. Bookish communities are divided in a fascinating way: some argue that books are a form of escapism while others assert that literature is inherently political. As is so typical for my political beliefs, I agree with aspects of bothContinue reading “Politics & Literature: Inherent Politicism, Book Bans, and Why You Should Be Taking Notes”
In Memoriam of Sarabi
It was a hot morning in June – not yet in the Dog Days of Summer, but close enough that the temperatures were in the 90s all week. The sun was barely coming up, streaming sleepy golden streaks through the windows. Sarabi greeted me in the dining room. She lifted her head when I walkedContinue reading “In Memoriam of Sarabi”
Queerness in Literature: Why It’s Important
In a society that’s finally more inclusive than ever before, the power and impact of queer literature cannot be overstated. Queerness in literature shines a light on the LGBTQIA+ community and our unique experiences, offering a platform for their stories to be heard and understood. And, now that it’s finally Pride Month, I’m excited toContinue reading “Queerness in Literature: Why It’s Important”
Rambling & Reflecting: Typing Away My Teenage Years
In every well-lived life, one will encounter moments that ultimately define us. These little deviations from the norm may be wholly mundane, but they’re powerful enough to change us in ways we could never have anticipated. At first glance, these deviations seem insignificant, but beneath the surface, they play an important role in the personContinue reading “Rambling & Reflecting: Typing Away My Teenage Years”
Bookstagram Trend: Asking Your S.O. Questions About Your Reading Habits
Working in content marketing, I love witnessing trends in real-time. It’s like a case study, in a way, to see how the world around you reacts to something so addicting. In the Bookstagram realm (that is, the corner of Instagram that is all about books), there are a few trends that have taken root. Lately,Continue reading “Bookstagram Trend: Asking Your S.O. Questions About Your Reading Habits”
Here Are 5 of the Best and Most Anticipated Indie Sci-Fi Books of 2024
Science fiction, like every genre, has its big players and familiar names. As a reader, however, I’ve increasingly found that indie authors are the future of science fiction… it’s kind of funny, really, given that so many sci-fi books dig into worlds set in the near or far future, and that era is sitting inContinue reading “Here Are 5 of the Best and Most Anticipated Indie Sci-Fi Books of 2024”