Recently on Facebook I watched a couple of friends experience pain and not a small amount of sorrow when–after going through serious illnesses with their families–they were met with really appalling rudeness from friends and family members. Not from internet trolls. Friends. Family. Which leads me to wonder if the —-supportive responses like: People are HORRIBLE!!! What a B-!!! I’d never talk to that person again and you...

Next week is a very big week for me. We start Elizabeth Gaskell’s North and South on Friday on CraftLit. I have a whole week of giveaways and fun planned for that week, too! More on that shortly (or to get the info before everyone else… sign up here to get the giveaway news for the CraftLit “North and South” launch Then on Sunday, February 9th at 10am, I’m presenting at the Blogger Book Fair! Everyone is invited to...

I know I could be risking much by reviewing this film, what with hosting a literature podcast and all, but hear me out. I like to judge a film (or a book for that matter) on whether or not the end goal was achieved. For me, To Kill a Mockingbird is pretty much the pinnacle of book-to-film that you can find. Sure you lose 98% of the subplots and a lot of important subtext — but was the book represented in a way that did justice to...

A year ago I was gasping for breath, making lousy business decisions with too little oxygen fueling my brain, and wondering how—if—I would ever get my fever down. This year I got to spend New Year’s with friends and family, laughing, telling stories, playing with Tarot cards and Rune stones (research for the sequel to Grounded) and generally having a great time. What a difference a year makes. Lots is changing/happening for me in 2014:...

If you remember Rosie’s Firestarters, they  had a flame motif going up the side. The Nightswimming socks have that same motif, running up the left in this pic–   surrounded by undulating waves. Water grounds her. May these socks keep you feisty, but surrounded by calm. These were designed by me which means they have the fitted arch and Welsh heel… But Meg likes them, too. Skills needed  knit, purl, yo, k2tog, ssk, working...

This week, our new sock based on the characters from Grounded: the Seven, is Jasmine’s Ethereal Socks! Jasmine: A sweet remembrance of summer. Calm and flowing and a support for those around her. Jasmine is the calming influence that we all wish we had in our lives… Especially these days. Before we wax rhapsodic about Jasmine’s new socks… Meg, Eleanor our awesome Tech Editor, and I all came to an agreement. From any and...