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Weekly Roundup for July 12, 2025

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Boy speaking into a megaphone

This week’s roudup is gonna be a short one—think espresso shot, not grande latte—mostly because I’ve got not a whole lot to report and I’m trying (trying being the key word here) to stay focused and not let the siren call of summer sunshine drag me away from my desk. Easier said than done, right? Every time I glance out the window, the grass looks greener and my to-do list looks… optional.

BUT! I did get a new toy—er, I mean tool. I finally pulled the trigger on a new eReader from Boox. It just arrived and I haven’t had time to really dig into it yet, but first impressions? Pretty snazzy. Super crisp screen, nice feel in the hand, and just enough buttons and settings to make me feel like I’m operating a gadget from a 1930s sci-fi serial. Which is fitting, because yes, I’ve clearly been marinating in 1930s slang lately—this thing is the cat’s pajamas, the bee’s knees, and maybe even the elephant’s eyebrows. (Too far?) Full review coming soon-ish on the blog once I’ve lived with it long enough to find its quirks and joys.

Oh, and while I have your attention – have you checked out “The Golem’s Guardian” yet? If you haven’t gotten your hands on a copy, you can snag one HERE. I’m still pretty excited about how that one turned out.

Some Things I Thought Were Worth Sharing


My author friends may find this article of interest: The Tools Have Changed, but Your Voice Still Matters https://writersinthestormblog.com/2025/05/the-tools-have-changed-but-your-voice-still-matters/

This definitely seems like a film worth watching: Tommy Dorfman’s Tender Directorial Debut ‘I Wish You All the Best’ Promises a Heartfelt, Hilariously Honest Coming-of-Age Tale https://gayety.com/tommy-dorfmans-tender-directorial-debut-i-wish-you-all-the-best-promises-a-heartfelt-hilariously-honest-coming-of-age-tale

I don’t know how this LGBT reality show on Netflix escaped my attention (prob because I hate reality tv): In defence of ‘The Ultimatum: Queer Love’ and its straight host https://xtramagazine.com/culture/he-ultimatum-queer-love-host-straight-274808

Compelling images of abandoned classic cars: During Our Exploration Of Abandoned Factory, We Were Surprised By Unexpected Finds Of Classic Cars https://www.boredpanda.com/abandoned-factory-cars-portugal-the-yellow-jackets-msn/

My writer friends may find this article by Johnny B Truant of interest: We’re Entering the Age of the Artisan Author https://johnnybtruant.substack.com/p/were-entering-the-age-of-the-artisan

An article for my indie author friends: 10 Tips for Self-Published Authors to Get More Book Reviews https://www.draft2digital.com/blog/10-tips-for-self-published-authors-to-get-more-book-reviews/

Washington Blade’s short interview with Doug Spearman from Noah’s Arc https://www.washingtonblade.com/2025/07/03/doug-spearman-noahs-arc/

This LGBTQ+ travel company’s mission of inclusivity is radical & ‘You’re more than welcome’ https://www.advocate.com/business/vacaya-inclusive-lgbtq-vacations

Looking for something to watch? Here’s the gayest movie & TV trailers that dropped in June 2025 https://www.queerty.com/watch-the-gayest-movie-tv-trailers-that-dropped-in-june-2025-20250630/

My writer friends may find this article on POV of interest: Choose a Powerful Foundation for Your Story https://writersinthestormblog.com/2025/05/choose-a-powerful-foundation-for-your-story-part-two/

The Best Entries Into The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards https://www.boredpanda.com/comedy-wildlife-photography-contest-finalists-2023-msn/

My author friends might find this article about sharing of interest: None of Your Business: Why Writers Shouldn’t Feel Obligated to Share Too Much https://lithub.com/none-of-your-business-why-writers-shouldnt-feel-obligated-to-share-too-much/

Some of these are quite incredible: Unbelievable Wildlife Moments Frozen In Time By This Photographer https://www.boredpanda.com/captivating-wildlife-photography-munish-palnaiappan/

Writers and readers may find this article about ‘big books’ of interest: Is Summer Actually the Season for Reading Big, Thick Books? https://lithub.com/is-summer-actually-the-season-for-reading-big-thick-books/

My author friends may find this of value: “Please Keep Caring.” What John McPhee Taught Generations of Writers and Journalists https://lithub.com/please-keep-caring-what-john-mcphee-taught-generations-of-writers-and-journalists/

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Unicorns, Shapeshifters, and Sapphic Mermaids—Queer-Friendly Mythical Creatures You Probably Haven’t Met Yet

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So I fell into a folklore rabbit hole the other night (as one does when insomnia and curiosity tag-team you at 2 a.m.), and wow—I did not expect to stumble upon an entire lineup of mythical creatures who basically scream, “I would totally march in Pride with glitter horns and bi flag wings.” Turns out, mythology and queerness go together like campfires and ghost stories: a little spooky, a little sparkly, and extremely extra in the best way.

Let’s start with the obvious (but still fabulous): unicorns. Yeah yeah, we all know they’ve been reclaimed by queer culture harder than a Bedazzler in a drag closet—but did you know that in some medieval texts, unicorns could only be tamed by virgins of any gender? Like, gender didn’t seem to matter as long as the vibes were pure. Honestly, that feels very nonbinary to me. Also, unicorn blood supposedly grants immortality, which I would argue is exactly the level of drama a queer icon should bring to the table.

Moving on. Ever heard of baobhan sith? They’re basically vampiric fairy women from Scottish folklore who wear green dresses and lure men into the woods for, um, deadly dances. But plot twist! Some older stories hint that they didn’t only prey on men. Like, there’s this whole sapphic energy happening under the surface—beautiful, deadly women wooing other beautiful, deadly women under the moonlight. It’s giving dangerous forest girlfriend, and I’m here for it.

Then we’ve got shapeshifters, the honorary mascots of fluid identity. From Japanese kitsune (fox spirits that can shift between genders and seduce humans) to Norse Loki (who, as we discussed in another post, literally transformed into a mare and gave birth to a horse—still not over it), these magical beings were way ahead of the curve. They didn’t just break gender rules—they exploded them, danced in the glittering remains, and went back for seconds.

And let’s take a hot second to appreciate the selkies. These seal-people from Scottish and Irish lore could shed their seal skins and walk on land, usually taking human lovers. The classic version tends to lean cis-het (yawn), but dig a little deeper, and you’ll find queer retellings where selkies fall in love across the gender spectrum. There’s something inherently queer about living between worlds, don’t you think? Ocean or land, skin or no skin—it’s all about choosing your identity and swimming against the current.

One of my personal faves, though? The Galli, ancient gender-nonconforming priests of Cybele, the Phrygian mother goddess. These folks existed IRL but were so steeped in divine mystery and myth that they basically blurred the line between person and creature. The Galli were assigned male at birth, but many lived as women, worshiped in ecstatic rituals, and embraced queer community thousands of years ago. Ancient texts totally tried to write them off as “mad” or “possessed,” but like… isn’t that just history’s way of saying “they were vibing too hard”?

Also! Real random but fascinating fact: in certain versions of Chinese mythology, dragons were said to be able to shift their sex at will. Which, once again, makes me wonder how much ancient storytellers just understood that queerness was magic and didn’t need justification. (Source: Handbook of Chinese Mythology, by Yang & An)

And don’t even get me started on mermaids. They’ve been slinking through seafaring legends for centuries, and not all of them are about pining after sailors. Haitian La Sirène, for example, is a goddess of the sea associated with femininity, magic, and—depending who you ask—queer empowerment. I once read a story where she was described as “the mother of all queer hearts who long for another world,” and I felt that in my chest cavity.

So yeah. If anyone tries to tell you queerness is “new” or not “natural,” please remind them that mythical creatures were already living their best fluid, fabulous, rainbow lives long before colonialism told us what “normal” was. We’ve always been part of the story—whether lurking in the woods, gliding through the sea, or shapeshifting into our truest forms.

Until next time, stay magical and mildly unhinged….

Nick Michelson is 16 and he:

  • Can see ghosts
  • Reads Tarot cards
  • Gets visions of the future
  • May or may not have a crush on his best friend.
  • And ghosts come to him for help
  • ..and some, for revenge

Read the book that began it all: Nick’s Awakening: https://buff.ly/3R31RCV

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Magic, Monsters, and Coming Out- How Supernatural Stories Reflect LGBTQ Identity

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Handsome supernatural man

So, let’s talk about something that’s been lurking in the shadows of supernatural fiction for what feels like forever (or at least, like, since Buffy staked her first vampire) — the connection between LGBTQ+ identities and coming-of-age stories drenched in the vibe of the supernatural. Honestly, it’s spooky how these two things are basically besties. You start with a kid who’s figuring themselves out, pop in some werewolves, witches, rickety old houses, et voilà, you’ve got yourself a metaphor for queer identity that slaps harder than a ghost on Halloween.

I mean, think about it. These supernatural coming-of-age stories already live in this weird middle zone between reality and fantasy, and honestly, so does the process of understanding your own identity when you’re queer. You’re going through the motions, trying to figure out if you’re a changeling or if you’re just, you know, a regular goblin like everyone else. It’s not that different from the confusion and eventual ohhh moment of coming out. You’ve got hidden powers, secret lives, things going bump in the metaphorical closet. Classic stuff.

And I gotta say, it’s also about transformation. A good ol’ werewolf story? Chef’s kiss …I mean, like, amazing. . But seriously, werewolf transformations are often this very uncomfortable but powerful metaphor for puberty and self-realization. But let’s go deeper—because when you think about it, shapeshifting and “becoming something else” toys with the idea of queerness so well. It’s about not matching what people expect you to be versus what you actually are, even if it’s terrifying or misunderstood at first. There’s a reason so many LGBTQ+ folks identify with the X-Men too—those wild mutants have ‘episode one’ coming out moments baked right into their lore. Literal superpowers awaken while someone’s figuring out their identity. Coincidence? I think not.

Speaking of metaphors in magical identity stories: let’s talk about hiding who you are—like how many witches or vampires have to slink through the daytime pretending to be normal? Or how many have to “pass” as humans so they don’t attract attention? Now, take that and relate it to anyone who’s ever been closeted or had to hide an aspect of their LGBTQ+ identity, and boom. We see you, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and we raise you Harry Potter questioning whether he fits in with wizard society. Voilà. Magic meets queerness—again.

Okay, it’s not even subtle sometimes either. Remember Willow from Buffy? Her witchcraft storyline basically paralleled her coming out as queer, and it was so on the nose that I half-expected Giles to give her a pamphlet that said, “Yes, You’re Magical & Queer: It’s a Vibe.” (Get on that, Giles.) Even in modern shows like The Owl House (source: [nerd central], look it up), you’ve got these really heartfelt stories wrapped in witchy, magical bow-ties. Luz’s journey discovering her magic powers easily mirrors her exploration of her own identity. And, oh yeah, she’s bi. But same principle: you discover parts of yourself that were always there, but society might not be too cool with you going full wizard on them.

Supernatural stories create a perfect playground for those real-life moments where someone says, “Maybe I’m not who others think I am,” or “What if I’m something… more?” And it’s not just about moments of self-realization. It’s also about the “chosen family” trope that hits differently when you’re LGBTQ+. You have these “ragtag groups” of witches, outcast ghosts, or even a team of misfit young superheroes who come together and form their own tight-knit family. The feeling of belonging is so important—especially when the “real world” isn’t exactly throwing parades in your honor (yet). Found family is such a key theme, and queer folks living in a world that doesn’t always understand them? They feel that deep.

Some of this might be more on the nose than we give authors credit for. Supernatural powers = identity. Discovering you’re a witch, werewolf, or ghost = coming out. Fighting against societal norms = overcoming oppression. Like, hello? It makes sense that these stories resonate so hard within LGBTQ+ communities. They’re dramatic, symbolic, and cathartic—all key ingredients for coming-of-age stories. Plus, monsters and magic are way more interesting than your average high school drama.

Well, this ran on a bit, so I’ll stop before I start breaking down Twilight as some queer reawakening story (though… Bella could’ve achieved her bi-potential, just saying). Okay, no hate. Anyway, the melding of the supernatural and LGBTQ+ identity? Totally iconic and honestly, the perfect allegory for anyone who’s ever felt ‘other’ in the world.

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Queer Magic & Monster Madness: My Favorite LGBTQ+ Paranormal Shows & Movies

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Paranormal A haunting portrait of a character with glowing eyes pierces through the darkness of a shadowy room, casting an eerie and mysterious aura.th glowing eyes

Okay, so, like, you know how much I’m obsessed with all things spooky and queer, right? It’s like peanut butter and jelly, or maybe more like, um, vampires and werewolves? Anyway, I’ve been binge-watching a ton of LGBTQ+ paranormal shows and movies lately, and I just had to share my absolute faves with you guys. These are the ones that keep me up binge-watching at 3 a.m. when I’m whispering, “Just one more episode” (and probably making questionable life choices). Don’t judge—you’ve been there! There’s something extra satisfying about watching queer characters battle demons, bend magic, or straight-up punch a vampire in the face. Here are my top magical and spooky picks that feature LGBTQ+ characters. You can watch these while ignoring your texts like a true fan.

Let’s kick this off with The Magicians. If you haven’t seen this show yet… where have you been?! Trust me. This one’s not your basic “Oh I’m a wizard, I guess?” story. You’ve got sexy magic, inter-dimensional travel, talking animals, and—best of all—some stellar bi and queer representation. Quentin Coldwater and Eliot Waugh’s relationship? Ugh, I loved their dynamic. There’s actual emotional depth beneath the sass and spells. And that scene in Season 1 where Eliot says, “I love you,” and Quentin’s just standing there, all confused and feels-y. Yes, give me more. Add tons of sarcasm and a bit of trauma, and this show just cracks me open every time. Magic in this universe has consequences—and so does love.

Okay, moving on to something darker, Cemetery Boys! So, technically this is a book, but I couldn’t not mention it. It’s about a trans boy, Yadriel, who accidentally summons a very cute (and very dead) boy’s ghost. Cue all kinds of paranormal hijinks. Ya’ll, if this doesn’t scream “Netflix, please adapt me right now,” then I don’t know what does. I mean, I’m just here waiting with popcorn and high expectations. If we do get a TV adaptation, it’s going to be the kind of show that lands smack dab on your rewatch list. Until then, just say it with me: GIVE US A CEMETERY BOYS SHOW.

Now, we can’t skip over the absolute pillar that is Buffy the Vampire Slayer—specifically, Willow and Tara. Do you remember when Tara showed up and Willow’s super shy “just friends” energy turned into “My goddess, I’m in love”? Besides the apocalypse-of-the-week format that never got old (giant snakes, Hellmouths, casual chaos?), their relationship felt groundbreaking at the time. Two witches falling in love while fighting the forces of darkness… like, what could be better? Not to mention Willow’s huge coming-out arc hit a lot of emotional beats, balancing Buffy’s epic battles with something much more intimate. Plus, Tara was just a cinnamon roll in witch form, and we deserved more of her. Let’s not talk about “Seeing Red.” Nope. Not today.

Alright, onto Teen Wolf. If you missed this cultural phenomenon back in the day, I’m both sad and… also jealous, because you get to experience it with fresh eyes. Stiles Stilinski, let’s be real, carried about 90% of the show with his personality alone. Then there’s Danny Mahealani, openly gay and casually awesome, hacking the plot forward while being, you know, cool about it. Is the plot a chaotic mess drenched in werewolf drama? Absolutely. But it’s fun wolf drama. More wolves, more gay characters—that should always be the goal moving forward.

Also, y’all, we’ve gotta talk about Shadowhunters. A bisexual warlock named Magnus Bane, played by the ridiculously charismatic Harry Shum Jr.? Say less. I don’t need any more convincing. Mix in Alec Lightwood, who’s super awkward yet emotionally intense when he comes around to fully owning who he is, and bam—you’ve got one of the most well-loved queer relationships in the genre. I still get feelings about Malec. They’re soft, but also deadly powerful. Magnus casually saving the world while wearing perfect eyeliner and fabulous jackets. Honestly, I aspire to be this extra in every aspect of life.

And if you’re into comics, you HAVE to check out ”Dead Boy Detectives.” It’s based on the DC comic book series, and it’s got this quirky, dark humor that I just adore. Plus, the two main characters, Edwin and Charles, are ghosts who solve crimes together. How cool is that? Unfortunately, the show was canceled after only one season. Typical Netflix.

And, while it might not be everyone’s usual cup of (blood? soul essence?), Hemlock Grove sticks with me too, because that show was a whole vibe. You’ve got vampires, werewolves, and a bunch of weird small-town magic sprinkled in, all wrapped up in horror. It’s a big yes from me, and I’ll never forget the vibe Famke Janssen threw down. There’s something about all that supernatural angst and subtle queer undertones that gave it… an edge.

Some other must-watch LGBTQ+ paranormal faves include:
– Legacies (hello, Hope Mikaelson, can we talk about queer witches?)
– The Old Guard (immortal warriors with soft but tough gay romance!)
– Sense8 (magic sci-fi vibes with a beautifully diverse queer cast)
– Supernatural (oh, the queerness in this show is subtle but there, especially with Cas and Dean moments – Plus, it’s got some seriously awesome queer characters, like Charlie Bradbury.)
– Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (I mean, the witchy queer representation was super fun.)
– Wynonna Earp (#WayHaught anyone? A bisexual cowgirl meets police officer dynamic. I love.)

Also adding quick nods to: The Haunting of Bly Manor, Constantine (queer vibes in both the show and movie), True Blood (was there any character not a little bisexual?), The L Word: Generation Q (because, ghosts?), American Horror Story (Coven, specifically for the witches), Interview with the Vampire, What We Do in the Shadows (quirky but gay vampires? Always yes), Torchwood, Being Human, Midnight, Texas, and Penny Dreadful.

Anyway, that’s my list. If you’re not already drowning in queer paranormal content, you’re welcome. Grab some popcorn or whatever your go-to binge snack is and dive right in. Monsters, magic, and queer romance? A winning combo!

 

Nick Michelson is 16 and he:

👻 Can see ghosts
🃏 Reads Tarot cards
💭 Gets visions of the future
🏃‍♂️May or may not have a crush on his best friend.
🔥 And ghosts come to him for help
☠️..and some, for revenge

Read the book that began it all…

book cover for Nick's Awakening

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