It’s my birthday week! *confetti toss* Sadly, we’re still in a panorama and thus I cannot celebrate by gathering friends for a party to end all parties. Until I can, I am not “celebrating” exactly, but I am putting my birthday wishes out into the world.

First Wish: I’d love to raise $3,000 by Sunday for the Vonda N. McIntyre Sentient Squid Scholarship fund that supports authors who want to take Writing the Other courses but cannot afford to do so. We have several more classes this year & I really want to give as many scholarships as possible.

You can make a one-time donation via PayPal or join our Patreon and support us monthly. If you can’t afford to donate, please share this widely and ask others to do so. Thanks!

Second Wish: For folks to pre-order my debut novel! Pre-orders help show my publisher that there is a ton of interest. Pre-orders from any bookstore count, whether you do it online or in person at your local bookmonger. Barnes & Noble has a 25% off pre-orders deal that ends today, if you don’t mind buying from the other book behemoth. (It is a pretty nice discount.) Use code PREORDER25.

Third Wish: Please request that your local library system buy my book. I want to make sure my book is as accessible to readers as possible.

Doing any of those things will make this the best birthday month ever.

🧡 Tempest

---

I have a bit of news to share with you below, but down in the comments I want to hear your news. Tell me about the stuff going on in your life that you’d like to share. Can be great things, or not so great things, or a funny story, or an epic story. Share pictures, share laughter, share what’s troubling you, share wisdom.

ORIGINality is Back!

The podcast I co-host, ORIGINality, has been on hiatus since early 2020 for all the obvious reasons. However, Aleen and I really missed doing it and we still have so many people we want to interview. We’re finally bringing it back, and you can listen to the latest episode, “I Feel My Body Rejecting This,” wherever you download or stream your podcasts.

Book News

The digital galleys are now available on NetGalley and Edelweiss. If you’re a reviewer, librarian, bookseller, or influencer with an account on either site, please do request to read it! I’m particularly hoping that BIPOC reviewers will get a chance. If you need help with this, contact me through the website.

I’m Making A Game

As some of you know, I’ve been doing a monthly salon with my friend Alethea Kontis wherein we play writing games with a group of very talented and amazing authors. We’ve played several writing-based games designed to be done solo or in a small group. Playing so many of these inspired me, and so I’m writing one of my own.

Tentatively called The Playground, it’s a game wherein you are a Supervisor in a creche for infant deities, charged with making sure each baby god stays in their own pocket dimensions until they’re mature enough to use their powers responsibly. Chaos ensues.

I’m giving the beta version to my supporters in The Tempestuous Salon so they can offer feedback. If you want to be one of those beta testers, you can sign up. OR! If you donate to the Writing the Other scholarship fund by April 25, you’ll also get the beta to test.

Upcoming Classes

Crafting Diverse Relationships: Family and Friends, Lovers and Life Partners

I’m not teaching this one, but I am SO excited about it. More well-drawn friend relationships, please.

When: April 29 – May 15, 2022
Where: Online
Price: $200
Register Now

Relationships between characters are key to character development and plot progression in every genre, not just romance. Family bonds, friendships, and lifelong partnerships create support networks around characters in every narrative. Writers often struggle to represent the connections and bonds between people that are outside their experience.

In this class, authors Piper J. Drake, Lauren Jankowski, and Jacqueline Koyanagi will discuss family and found family, platonic relationships and friendships, poly and interracial relationships, and how to recognize and challenge the Love Hierarchy.

Join Writing the Other in exploring a range of relationship arcs and interpersonal dynamics to create vivid narratives and character-driven plot lines.

Click Here for Details and Registration

---

Writing the Other’s Deep Dive Into Description and Language

When: June 4 – 18, 2022
Where: Online via Zoom or Asynchronous classroom, accessible at your own pace
Price: $200 – $300
Register Now

Creating inclusive fiction with characters that come from different identities is important. But when writers start describing people from marginalized groups, they’re sometimes overcome by anxiety over getting it right. What words and phrases should you use? Which ones should you avoid?

In this craft-focused class, authors Nisi Shawl and K. Tempest Bradford dive deep into these language and description pitfalls…and how to avoid them! Nisi and Tempest go beyond the basics of eliminating food metaphors and other tired/inaccurate clichés and explore:

• How to make conscious, respectful, and inclusive language choices.
• Person-first vs. Identity-first language.
• When it is and isn’t okay to use slurs.
• and more…

Through lectures, short writing exercises, and feedback from students and teachers, writers will come away from the class knowing how to avoid descriptions that unwittingly reveal or perpetuate bias and oppression. Even after the class is over, students will have access to a plethora of resources for further study and practice.

Click Here for Details and Registration

Enough About Me

I’m ready to hear from you 🤗 Just one note: this is a community space. Please keep in mind that this is my space, so please act the way you would if you were in my actual parlor having actual tea with me 😍