We’ve officially been at this for a year—is that nuts or what? And since quite a few have you arrived in the months since January 2025’s newsletter launched, I’ll reintroduce myself briefly. I’m Diana (or Dee, or D.). I’m a library worker and writer in New York’s Capital Region. You can find my back catalogue of stories, poetry, and essays here. I like DIY art, heavy music, cold brew, and my cat.

I hope your winter holidays were delicious, peaceful, and maybe even restorative. Did you receive (or give!) any particularly wonderful gifts? What have you been eating? In addition to the item below, we treated ourselves to a big David Lynch art book and a great collection of Native recipes and essays on food. We also bought some chicory syrup and have been making, essentially, Italian sodas with it: syrup+plain seltzer+New Orleans bitters. Yum!

And now for a few more links than usual:

• I contributed 2025 notable-media suggestions to No Limit On the Words (albums) and Ancillary Review of Books (a book, you’ll never guess which).

• A talented artist acquaintance (who illustrated one of my poems in Golden Apples and Poisoned Chalices) is celebrating The Year of the Horse with a year-long community art project! I think this is super cool and plan to submit a poem or bit of lore at some point.

• Public Domain Day happens every January 1st (much like every Thoroughbred in the world having their birthday together), and this year’s list has a lot of gold. I must admit The Maltese Falcon entering public domain is really pushing the ol’ Occult Detective Story to the top of my mind…

• In beginning my Sabbatical Year, I’ve been scoping out workshops, and happened across one that combines two great flavors that might just taste great together: Andor and tarot???

• From The Public Domain Review, notes on conlangs. From Andrew Higgins, notes on same.

• Queen of Swords Press is celebrating their ninth birthday with a sale running through 1/11! You can grab my novella Little Nothing in your discounted format of choice with code BIRTHDAY and maybe win some free swag too.

Finally, since Epiphany was yesterday, how about a teaser for the story I’ll have in Kristen Arnett’s Floridiana anthology slated for 2027?