samkern

Merry Christmas! The next chapter of Closer To The Sun is out – nothing stops the update train! Now time to go watch The Grinch for the 87,000,000th time :)

Palosky

Umm hey I just wanted to know if you plan on continuing closer to us. I would like to know before I finish and want more 

samkern

@Palosky Oh hello! I have stopped updating it on here but I'm still writing it, it's actually going to be an audio series in a few months. I'm glad to hear you like it!!! I can post an update on my page with a link to the audio series when it's up :)
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Palosky

*Closer to the sun sorry
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samkern

Do you like faerie tales? Do you like ridiculously slow burning romance? Do you wish you were hiking literally right now? Then do I have a book for YOU! Yesterday I published my first chapter of Closer To The Sun and I'd love to hear what you think ;) it's an ode to fairy tales and the magic inherent in the outdoors. And of course I had to throw in some good old fashioned fairy tale curses, too! It's been loads of fun – check it out and gimme your thoughts! <3

samkern

New video essay :) I've been working really hard on this one and I'm super proud of it. It's about how multiplayer online communities develop new ways to communicate in games, even when they can't talk or type. I put a lot of research and work into it so if you're interested in games or you like long video essays, check it out!  ^___^
          
          https://youtu.be/bjfDR_9qVM4

samkern

It's really disheartening to hear a favorite author using their platform to spread hurtful, hateful messages, especially now as the world is once again grappling with the insidious effects of racism in our society. The world needs diverse, loving, inclusive fiction – and diverse, loving, inclusive writers – now more than ever.

samkern

@anticpantaloon Thank you for sharing these groups; I'll have a look-see!
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anticpantaloon

@WitchAtWerk On the question of evidence for the real harm sex self-ID is doing to women's protections and rights, one group I'd recommend looking at is Canadian Women's sex-based Rights (specifically in the Canadian context): https://www.cawsbar.ca/
            
            Another based in the UK is Fair Play for Women: https://fairplayforwomen.com/
            
            Both (and many others) are doing excellent work informing the public and advocating for women and girls. They also stress at every step that this is about maintaining fundamental rights to privacy, safety, and representation for women, not about discriminating against trans people.
            
            A lot of trans people are aware of this and support their efforts. They just don't get nearly as much press because of the attention that anger and denunciation naturally draws.
            
            We may not agree on all of these questions in the end,  but thanks for having this conversation.
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samkern

@anticpantaloon Haha, you probably weren't hoping to have this kind of discussion today; neither was I. But I at least want to say that I do feel what you're saying. I want to keep working toward a world where women feel safer than we do now. I haven't found any evidence that trans women pose a threat to cis women. And just as women will need to keep sharing the Earth with men, cis and trans women need to share the Earth with one another, and ALL of us deserve physical and psychological safety. I hope we can all stay open-minded about the changes we'll need to bring about in society to protect the vulnerable, because they come in all shapes, sizes, and genders, and all are worth our empathy & consideration!
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samkern

Book recommendation request! Anyone know of a good, lightweight paranormal book I can dig into on my holiday travels? Just finished The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater and really enjoyed. :)

samkern

Ooh I've had the night circus recommended to me a few times! :) Went to the bookstore last night and picked it up, thanks for the rec!
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goddessofwisdom-

@WitchAtWerk The Raven Boys is so great! The first sequel, The Dream Thieves, is my favorite in that series - I totally recommend that if you haven't read it yet! 
            
            Some other books I love that I think fit that description at least a little bit are Dreamology by Lucy Keating, The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, and Vassa in the Night by Sarah Porter. I'd recommend all of those. Hope you find something good!
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