queer fantasy

The Magic of Queer Fantasy

Often when readers think about the origins of LGBTQ+ literature, we think about poetry and drama. Certainly, these two modes have a long history of presenting a wide range of non-heteronormative stories and themes, and perhaps they have been best suited for it. But LGBTQ+ stories in prose narratives have equally long histories. More interesting… Read more »

Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Writer Igniter Sci-Fi/Fantasy Summit

In case you’ve somehow missed the announcement, DIY MFA is currently hosting our Sci-Fi/Fantasy Summit! Gabriela recently sat down and interviewed 11 top Sci-Fi/Fantasy authors on topics related to the craft of writing and the process of getting published. This event began yesterday, but it’s not too late to sign up! You can sign up… Read more »

Indigenous Sci-Fi and Fantasy Authors to Read Now

I know Indigenous Peoples’ Day was back on October 12th. Heck, Canada’s National Indigenous Peoples Day was way back on June 21st, but I wanted to share some of my favourite Indigenous Science Fiction and Fantasy authors with you in the interest of diversifying your reading. Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse I first encountered Roanhorse’s… Read more »

Django Wexler

Episode 314: Magic, Politics, and Relationships: Using Fantasy to “Literalize the Metaphor” – Interview with Django Wexler

Hey there word nerds! Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Django Wexler. Django graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh with degrees in creative writing and computer science, and worked for the university in artificial intelligence research. Eventually he migrated to Microsoft in Seattle, where he now lives with two cats and a teetering… Read more »

Melanie Marttila

Mythic Storytelling: Five Books on Tarot for Writers

Last time on Speculations, I offered a brief introduction to the tarot. This time, I’ve read and will briefly review five books on tarot for writers, so that you can decide which reference(s), if any, you might want to add to your writing craft library. I’ve decided to present them in chronological order by date… Read more »

Tarot

Mythic Storytelling: An Introduction to the Tarot

For my first Speculations of the new year (and decade) I’m starting a new short series. Periodically, I’ve tackled various mythic structures for storytelling: Joseph Campbell’s Monomyth, Christopher Vogler’s The Hero’s Journey, Maureen Murdock’s The Heroine’s Journey, and Kim Hudson’s The Virgin’s Promise. This time around, I’m exploring the tarot as a mythic storytelling tool…. Read more »