Monica Valentinelli

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My Number One Covid-19 Coping Tip

Hello friends, I am excited to announce that this week is filled with news: a new essay debuting in WisCon Chronicles: Bridges & Boundaries, a new short story in Death is Not the End, and a brand new Kickstarter for a pirate-themed game called Sea of Legends! More information follows below along with cooking tips I've learned recently.
I've talked to so many people via co-working sessions, texts, and private messages. Everyone I know is feeling overwhelmed right now and is tired of hearing "how to cope" with Covid-19. So am I, honestly, which is why my number one Covid-19 coping tip is simply this: to remind yourself you're already doing the best you can. We're not in a typical situation and we don't know how long it'll last, either, so please, please be kind to yourselves. I know I am!
I've got a ton on my plate after a slew of meetings, so I'm going to get back to it. Once I figure out my new schedule, I'll pop in with some fun things you can do, too. If you have any tips you'd like to share for next time, let me know. I'm happy to offer them on my blog with proper accreditation. Be well and stay healthy, - Monica
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In the 05/07/2020 edition:
*|MC:TOC|*

Excerpts:

[New Release] WisCon Chronicles Boundaries & Bridges + Giveaway

WisCon Chronicles: Boundaries & Bridges explores our understanding of boundaries and bridges, and what they mean for us as individuals and for our communities. The words we use matter, as essays that talk about feminist terms, gendered language, and even the name of the Tiptree/Otherwise award (which is almost inextricably identified with WisCon) demonstrate. The […]
Read on »

[New Release] Death is Not the End anthology for Geist: The Sin-Eaters 2nd Edition

Death is not the end. You learned that firsthand when you died. In that darkness, you made a deal that brought you back — with something else. Now, bound inextricably to a geist — a shade, a monster, a tragic, broken soul — you stand between the world of the living and the world of […]
Read on »

Ahoy Mateys! Sea of Legends is Now on Kickstarter

Ahoy! Are you hoping for a thrilling adventure on the high seas? Sea of Legends is a narrative-driven, open-world tabletop game for 1 to 4 players. Your decisions will make waves throughout the Caribbean as each player takes part in shared adventures woven together by our companion app. Choose wisely. In Sea of Legends, the […]
Read on »

5 Cooking-at-Home Shortcuts

Heya, I know a lot of you are super stressed right now. (I don’t think that’s going away anytime soon, either.) Since I’ve been spending all my time at home, I’ve been reacquainting myself with what I have on hand and how best to use those items. For example, have a bunch of candles with […]
Read on »

[New Release] WisCon Chronicles Boundaries & Bridges + Giveaway

By Monica Valentinelli on May 07, 2020 12:05 pm

WisCon Chronicles: Boundaries & Bridges explores our understanding of boundaries and bridges, and what they mean for us as individuals and for our communities. The words we use matter, as essays that talk about feminist terms, gendered language, and even the name of the Tiptree/Otherwise award (which is almost inextricably identified with WisCon) demonstrate. The definition of “community” is also examined, both within WisCon and beyond, as it spills out into the wider world — including online spaces.

Check out this awesome list of contributors! Jess Adams, Charlie Jane Anders, Nancy Bird, Kristy Anne Cox, Katherine Alejandra Cross, Alexandra Erin, Nivair H. Gabriel, Sarah Gulde, Lauren Jankowski, Inda Lauryn, Elise Matthesen, Gabriela Damián Miravete, Chimedum Ohaegbu, Otherwise Board, Julia Rios, John Scalzi, Nisi Shawl, Monica Valentinelli, and G. Willow Wilson!

Limited Time Giveaway!

The first 100 people to register for WisCon 44, which will be held online Memorial Day weekend, will receive a copy of WisCon Chronicles: Boundaries & Bridges.

Please visit the Online Registration Page for WisCon 44 for more information about the giveaway, programming, and pricing. The essay collection can be purchased through the publisher’s website at aqueductpress.com

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[New Release] Death is Not the End anthology for Geist: The Sin-Eaters 2nd Edition

By Monica Valentinelli on May 06, 2020 04:06 pm

Death is not the end.

You learned that firsthand when you died. In that darkness, you made a deal that brought you back — with something else. Now, bound inextricably to a geist — a shade, a monster, a tragic, broken soul — you stand between the world of the living and the world of the dead.

This collection of eleven stories inspired by Geist: The Sin-Eaters Second Edition explores the haunted places in the Chronicles of Darkness. The anthology includes dark tales written by Lauren Roy, Eric Zawadski, Renee Ritchie, and more!

My short story is titled “Feasting on Twilight after Dark” and is set on the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s campus. There are many strange architectural aspects littering the campus and my tale highlights one of them. For years, I’d hear rumors about how different buildings were haunted–it’s the perfect Geist 2E setting! Plus, this story is a crossover between Geist: the Sin-Eaters Second Edition and Hunter: the Vigil Second Edition.

Want a haunting good tale? Death is Not the End for Geist: the Sin-Eaters is now available in eBook and print. You can find a copy on DriveThruFiction.com now or check for the Kindle and Nook editions in about a week.

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Ahoy Mateys! Sea of Legends is Now on Kickstarter

By Monica Valentinelli on May 06, 2020 12:46 pm

Ahoy! Are you hoping for a thrilling adventure on the high seas? Sea of Legends is a narrative-driven, open-world tabletop game for 1 to 4 players. Your decisions will make waves throughout the Caribbean as each player takes part in shared adventures woven together by our companion app. Choose wisely. In Sea of Legends, the fickle winds of fate can fill your sails or turn against you at any moment. With twenty-six writers crafting over 400 unique stories, you’ll never play the same game twice.

I’m so thrilled to be a part of this stellar project. Check out Sea of Legends on KickstarterSea of Legends on Kickstarter! We funded the same day. I can’t wait to see what stretch goals will be unlocked. Yay! More stories await!

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5 Cooking-at-Home Shortcuts

By Monica Valentinelli on May 06, 2020 11:09 am

Heya, I know a lot of you are super stressed right now. (I don’t think that’s going away anytime soon, either.) Since I’ve been spending all my time at home, I’ve been reacquainting myself with what I have on hand and how best to use those items. For example, have a bunch of candles with a tiny bit of wax? Pick up a candle warmer for under $10 and get more mileage out of them.

If you’re cooking at home more often, too, I’m sure you’re also discovering a few awesome ways to cut down on how much time you’re cooking. Here’s a few shortcuts I learned that helps me get back to writing:

1) For cold-brewed tea, I calculate two cups of filtered water per tea bag and let that steep in the fridge for 12 hours.

2) For cold-brewed coffee, I calculate one scoop of coarsely ground coffee beans per two cups of filtered water. The longer you steep the higher the caffeine content. The recommended time is a minimum of 18 hours, but your mileage will vary.

3) Got a bread recipe that calls for buttermilk? One teaspoon vinegar plus any milk–including nut milk–works as a substitute. Just let it curdle for a few minutes and its ready to go!

4) If you’re bored with your diet, check out the recipes on your dry goods. We’ve been experimenting with almond flour, and found a ton of recipes on the bag to try!

5) Out of yeast? Make beer bread instead. We picked up a six-pack of beer just for this purpose! Here’s a good beer bread recipe from King Arthur Flour. (Highly recommend that flour! Woo!)

I’m also upcycling and concentrating on making better use out of my closet. I’ll pop in next time with some highlights! ‘Til then.

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