Now Available! Read about 5 Magical Creatures on Charmed at Tor.com

Hello, everyone! I’m so pleased to mention you can read Five Fascinating Magical Creatures that Debuted in the Original Charmed on Tor.com. I wanted to write this post as a follow-up to talk about my love as a fan of classic Charmed and the new show that debuted in Fall 2018.

Classic Charmed gives me a lot of fond memories. It was a show that broke a lot of ground for both female empowerment and the positive depiction of magical women. After watching the new Charmed show, I have a lot of feelings about what could still be done to bridge the gap between the two. I do feel both are strong shows—certainly, the new Charmed explores powerful interpersonal relationships, contemporary themes, and authentic practitioners—that approach story and setting very differently. Classic Charmed‘s narrative arc had more space and the stakes swelled with each season, but they were small and more personal in the beginning. The new Charmed, on the other hand, has a LOT of story in every season that significantly changes the world, the characters, and the stakes are very high.

That (ultra-high stakes) is an approach I fear will smother the show by the end of a third season.

Though I regard each show to stand on its own merits and can be critiqued separately, I want to point out that all of the actresses did a great job exploring witchiness from their characters’ perspectives. I do think there is one improvement that can be made to satisfy both older fans and new ones while giving a little oomph to the possibility of more seasons. One word: CROSSOVER! Why not lean into the parallel/alternate universes aspect they’ve already introduced? Wouldn’t that be awesome! Hell, I’d write a crossover miniseries (2-6 episodes) that bridges the best of both shows while introducing a new wrinkle going forward. Do I have ideas? Hah. YUP!

Regardless, I hope the crossover idea would be/has been considered for many, many reasons. There’s a really powerful statement that can be made by showing the true power of witchy sisterhood is not only intergenerational, it’s also intersectional.

More on Paracelsus

In my Tor.com article, I mentioned Paracelsus when talking about gnomes. Paracelsus is/was a key and controversial historical figure, both as an alchemist and physician, but he was also extremely misogynistic and racist even among his contemporaries because he drew from medieval perspectives. For example, there was a pervasive medieval view shared by physicians, such as Ambrose Pare, that women were responsible for the birth of monsters. I covered him more in depth for my newsletter subscribers at: https://booksofm.substack.com. You can join the conversation there. Yay!

Again: Thanks so much for reading and supporting my debut Tor.com article! EVEN MORE YAY!

Announcing Raven and Toad Studio

Raven and Toad Studio | An Etsy Store

Hello everyone!

Today, I am pleased to mention that I have opened up an Etsy store called Raven and Toad Studio. My plans for this store, including commissions, have been delayed due to COVID-19, so to start I am focusing on digital downloads for beadweaving patterns where I don’t have to ship you anything directly. I will have more uploaded soon! Most of my patterns will require knowledge of the basic stitch, but I’ll keep you posted as the store develops.

This is an example of a pattern you can purchase for a peyote-stitched beaded ring:

Pot of Gold Ring

To start, I have some fun patterns. My philosophy is that you should be able to find adjustments regardless of your measurements. I do scale bigger for my patterns and include instructions to size up and down. There’s a few more elaborate designs I’m working on, too, that I think you’ll really enjoy. Exciting!

[New Release] Dark Eras 2

Dark Eras 2 | Chronicles of Darkness Cover Art

Rebellions swell and vampires feed. Casualties of war draw Reapers to blood-soaked battlefields. Gilded ages benefit mortals and monsters alike.

How? Why? What role do the monsters play with us —- and each other?

Dark Eras 2 explores 13 new eras scattered throughout the history of the Chronicles of Darkness. This supplement was developed by Monica Valentinelli, Matthew Dawkins, and Meghan Fitgerald. Each chapter features two to three game lines which include Vampire: The Requiem, Mage: The Awakening, Hunter: The Vigil, Changeling: The Lost, and more!

The rules in Dark Eras 2 are compatible with second edition Chronicles of Darkness. Each terrifying time period and location is examined through the supernatural creatures that dwell there. Inside, you’ll find historically-inspired settings, story hooks, character-creation tips, gameplay advice, new Tilts, Conditions, and era-appropriate rules–and more!

Unlock the past. Find out what hides in the shadows. Dark Eras 2 is available now!




[New Release] WisCon Chronicles Boundaries & Bridges + Giveaway

WisCon Chronicles: Boundaries & Bridges

WisCon Chronicles: Boundaries & Bridges explores our understanding of boundaries and bridges, and what they mean for us as individuals and for our communities. The words we use matter, as essays that talk about feminist terms, gendered language, and even the name of the Tiptree/Otherwise award (which is almost inextricably identified with WisCon) demonstrate. The definition of “community” is also examined, both within WisCon and beyond, as it spills out into the wider world — including online spaces.

Check out this awesome list of contributors! Jess Adams, Charlie Jane Anders, Nancy Bird, Kristy Anne Cox, Katherine Alejandra Cross, Alexandra Erin, Nivair H. Gabriel, Sarah Gulde, Lauren Jankowski, Inda Lauryn, Elise Matthesen, Gabriela Damián Miravete, Chimedum Ohaegbu, Otherwise Board, Julia Rios, John Scalzi, Nisi Shawl, Monica Valentinelli, and G. Willow Wilson!

Limited Time Giveaway!

The first 100 people to register for WisCon 44, which will be held online Memorial Day weekend, will receive a copy of WisCon Chronicles: Boundaries & Bridges.

Please visit the Online Registration Page for WisCon 44 for more information about the giveaway, programming, and pricing. The essay collection can be purchased through the publisher’s website at aqueductpress.com



[New Release] Death is Not the End anthology for Geist: The Sin-Eaters 2nd Edition

Death is Not the End | Geist The Sin Eaters anthology

Death is not the end.

You learned that firsthand when you died. In that darkness, you made a deal that brought you back — with something else. Now, bound inextricably to a geist — a shade, a monster, a tragic, broken soul — you stand between the world of the living and the world of the dead.

This collection of eleven stories inspired by Geist: The Sin-Eaters Second Edition explores the haunted places in the Chronicles of Darkness. The anthology includes dark tales written by Lauren Roy, Eric Zawadski, Renee Ritchie, and more!

My short story is titled “Feasting on Twilight after Dark” and is set on the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s campus. There are many strange architectural aspects littering the campus and my tale highlights one of them. For years, I’d hear rumors about how different buildings were haunted–it’s the perfect Geist 2E setting! Plus, this story is a crossover between Geist: the Sin-Eaters Second Edition and Hunter: the Vigil Second Edition.

Want a haunting good tale? Death is Not the End for Geist: the Sin-Eaters is now available in eBook and print. You can find a copy on DriveThruFiction.com now or check for the Kindle and Nook editions in about a week.

Previous Posts Next Posts




Looking for Monica’s books and games that are still in print? Visit Monica Valentinelli on Amazon’s Author Central or a bookstore near you.

Archives

Back to Top