Autumn 2022: Golden Leaves and Nights Drawing In
Autumn is my favourite season and my thoughts turn to cosy nights curled up by a fire and all things spooky.
Summer was packed with wonderful adventures and I’m so grateful for the time spent in Canada, at a wedding in Dorset, and home to London to catch up with more loved ones and get immersed in art and theatre!
Pages: Writing
I’m delighted to share ‘Medicine Woman’ will be published in Wizards in Space Issue 08. It’s an eco-fantasy mother-child tale of transformation, healing, and our relationship with the land. It’s one of my most personal stories and I can’t wait for you to read it.
Later this month I’ll be spending time at a retreat in Moniack Mhor, Scotland’s creative writing centre up in the Highlands, where I’ll be taking a course on Gothic fiction taught by authors C.J. Cooke, Natasha Pulley, and Andrew Hurley.
I was founding Audio Director for khōréō, a wonderful magazine publishing speculative work by immigrant and migrant creators. We were Finalists for this year’s Ignyte Community and WINNER of Best Fiction Podcast Award – I’m still processing it but I’m so grateful to everyone who voted, the amazing nominees, the whole team, and all our readers, writers, and voice actors!
I had the immense pleasure of being part of Haunt Publishing’s 2019 anthology Haunted Voices: An Anthology of Gothic Storytelling from Scotland and I’m delighted to be working with them and Nyx Publishing again on the new edition of Unspeakable: A Gothic Horror Anthology. It publishes later this month on Oct 27th and my story ‘Laguna and the Sirena’ is an iteration of a piece in my Filipino folklore-inspired collection.
Pre-order your copy here: https://www.hauntpublishing.com/books/celine-frohn/unspeakable/9781915691002
I’ll also be appearing at a hybrid event in November, details TBA!
If you missed the in-person offering at Cymera Festival in June, I’m so excited to be running a digital edition of ‘All Shades of Horror’ on November 5th at 2:30pm GMT, £10/8. This is a writing workshop for BIPOC authors of horror, gothic, and dark fiction of all levels and backgrounds. We’ll be working on interactive creative exercises together and I hope to cultivate a freeing and safe space where we can explore working in these genres as authors of colour.
Sign up here: https://www.cymerafestival.co.uk/book-tickets/digital-workshop-all-shades-of-horror
I’m so excited to be part of ‘Building a Reputation’ with Jericho Writers on November 24th at 7pm (link to come!) I’ll cover building my track record through literary magazines and anthologies such as Extra Teeth and Haunted Voices, as well as my experiences across award programmes such as Penguin Write Now (Longlisted 2020) and Ladies of Horror Fiction (Writers Grant 2021). The session will empower authors to find and utilise opportunities, and begin building a profile prior to signing with an agent.
I have a couple of other exciting secret announcements which I hope to be able to share soon!
Pages: Reading
Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers
This was my first experience of reading Becky Chambers and what a lovely way to start! This book is the start of a series and a complete reprieve, following the meandering adventures of a tea monk and a robot. Filled with warmth and laughter, this novella examines big ideas of speculative fiction in a very grounded way.
The Lighthouse Witches by C.J. Cooke
What a thrill ride this was! Cooke is a master at creating atmosphere and deftly juggles multiple POVs and timelines. It’s difficult to talk about this book without spoilers but it features an eerie lighthouse on a remote Scottish island, secrets and splintered trust, and above all family – particularly mother-daughter and sister relationships.
Homicide and Halo-Halo by Mia P. Manansala
The second in Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mysteries series, this is another cosy crime-romance crossover follows Lila in another mystery, this time focused on the drama of a teen beauty pageant. Packed with even more delicious Filipino food and the hilarious characters of Shady Palms we’ve come to know and love.
Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake
Autumn is a glorious time for fungi enthusiasts and this book was a fascinating and an approachable look into the mycelial world from both the scientific and historical and cultural impact. The author reads the audiobook himself and it’s the perfect accompaniment to long rambling walks in the woods.
Into Every Generation a Slayer is Born: How Buffy Staked Our Hearts by Evan Ross Katz
Content note: abuse/gaslighting as well as themes covered by BTVS show
This is the ultimate book exploring the writing behind Buffy the Vampire Slayer season by season, insightful interviews with principal cast members and a candid discussion of the allegations against Joss Whedon. A
breakdown of the joys and pains of the production and reflection on the show’s cultural impact. Made me desperate for a rewatch stat!
I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
Content note: psychological abuse, disordered eating, sexual abuse and assault
I listened to this audiobook in one day and it’s read by the author herself documenting her career as a child actor and the behind the scenes trauma inflicted on her by her mother. My heart goes out to McCurdy and I have a new found respect for both her talent and resilience, which are immense.
Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
Content note: death, cancer, terminal illness
This is a beautiful memoir which resonated with me, from musician Zauner following the diagnosis and death of her mother. It also explores her complicated relationship with her Korean heritage, her musical career, and the shared language of food which is distilled in the comfort and pain of visiting H Mart (an American Asian superstore chain).
I hope you have some nourishing autumnal plans.
Til winter, stay soft light slow,
Kat x