An invite from my debaucherous alter-ego
Some chaotic good updates and recs this week <3
Writing Prompt:
By way of writing advice, Mary Oliver once said, “Lists, and verbs, will carry you many a dry mile. … Look for verbs of muscle, adjectives of exactitude.”
I remember receiving a craft tip early in my writerly education, I don’t remember exactly where, saying that it’s more sophisticated to go simple with your choices of adjective and more inventive with your choices of verb. Write a diary entry about your weekend with a special focus on paring down your adjectives and gussying up your verbs. Take it to an extreme, even, for the sake of the exercise.
Just two weeks left to sign up to write and travel in Italy with me this fall!
It sounds too good to be true (even culty??), but last year I got to host two week-long literature-themed trips to Italy, and it was so enchanting, I decided to do another this year in mid-October. You just sign up, buy a plane ticket to Naples, and the entire rest of the vacation is planned for you, including meals, sightseeing adventures, daily writing classes hosted by yours truly, etc. It’s such a neat way to travel and meet new friends, which I know can be so challenging as an adult!! I cannot wait to do this again, and hope you’ll consider signing up if something like this tickles your fancy. There are three spots left and two weeks left to book.
When: Oct 13-19
Where: Naples and the Amalfi Coast
I’m planning a Magical Overthinkers x Sounds Like A Cult crossover this week.
On the “cult” of monogamy. It was interesting to see some of the feedback when I released this episode, featuring philosopher Dr. Ellie Anderson, on the Magical Overthinkers feed the other week. It was such a challenging, eye-opening, sometimes unsettling conversation, especially for those of us who generally feel like monogamy has been a good fit. While the majority of listeners were down to come along for that slightly queasy-making ride, it was interesting to witness a few who felt threatened by it. I’m curious (and a little nervous, I shan’t lie!) to see how the Sounds Like A Cult audience responds to some of these ideas.
Yes, we’re working on an episode on the cult of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders ;)
The Sounds Like A Cult team has heard your many dozen requests :) To stay on schedule while juggling all my various projects, I’ve been recording this year’s SLAC episodes many months in advance, which has been necessary but not exactly conducive to seizing time-sensitive moments in the culty zeitgeist. We’ve gotten sooooo many emails about this one, though, that we’re finding a way to squeeze it in! Stay tuned plz.
Take a peek at the cocktail menu for my Big Magical Cult shows in Chicago and Minneapolis. Not to be missed, if you’re in town!!
SHOUT OUT to the ~followers~ who helped me come up with these.
The Big Magical Cult Show is NOT a normal book tour event, my friends :) This is a delightful and debaucherous live show, involving drag, burlesque, custom drinks, and more.. and I am so glad I get to take it to the midwest. If you live in the area, I really hope to see you there!
July 12: Chicago, IL — The Big Magical Cult Show at Park West (buy tickets here!)
July 13: Minneapolis, MN — The Big Magical Cult Show at Cedar Cultural Center (buy tickets here!)
Treat yourself to a “magical overthinker” cap or “thought spiral” notebook :)
I am quite in love with how this first attempt at merch turned out, if I may say so. If you’re a magical overthinker, wordslut, or culty, consider checking out my new line :)
A weekly roundup of books, podcasts, TV shows, tchotchkes, and anything else I’m currently “cult following.”
TV: The Bear Season 3
I don’t care what all the haters crying “overrated” have to say about The Bear, I’ll watch Jeremy Allen White screaming and plating agnolotti all day long. I’m letting this season wash over me like a bowl of bone broth. Naysayers are simply “behind!!!”
Audiobook: My Name is Barbra
I have to confess something to you: This is the first audiobook I have ever listened to in my entire life. Which I realize is bonkers, especially because I actually think my latest book is better on audio. Personally, though, I tend to zone the hell out when I try to read with my ears. And I certainly don’t give a shit about celebrity memoirs. But then a trusted author friend of mine strongly endorsed Babs’s marathon-length audio memoir, which of course the performer reads (and partially ad libs lol) herself, and I gotta say, even though I’d never really paid attention Barbra Streisand before this, her book has been an utterly delightful dose of escapism. I’ve been listening as I walk my dog around the neighborhood. I do recommend this activity!!!
Recipes: Rainbow Plant Life 20-Minute Vegan Meals EVERYONE Should Know
My partner Casey is trying to go a little more vegan these days for health reasons, but the thing is, we love cheese. Still, we just tried the plant-based lemon pasta recipe recommended in this video, and it was buonissimo.
Podcast: Nobody Should Believe Me Season 4
My brilliant, kind, and charismatic friend Andrea Dunlop just launched the third season of her incredible investigative true crime podcast about Munchausen by Proxy. I could not recommend it more!! While you’re at it, preorder Andrea’s forthcoming book, The Mother Next Door: Medicine, Deception, and Munchausen by Proxy.
Those drink names, lol