Welcome to Episode 5 of Season 3—our fiction season, where I’m sharing original short stories from my Tova Gallagher urban fantasy universe. This week’s tale, Finding Song in Leominster State Forest, introduces a brand-new character coming up in Book 2. This story blends local legend with themes of loneliness, complexity, and the stories we tell to protect ourselves.

After the story, I’ll share how my visit to Leominster State Forest and local lore research (including Monsterland by Ronny LeBlanc) shaped this character, why Bigfoot made the perfect addition to the Tova Gallagher universe, and how writing prompts can uncover hidden depth in your own fiction.

Check out my full review of Monsterland: https://opinionsofawolf.com/2025/01/07/book-review-monsterland-encounters-with-ufos-bigfoot-and-orange-orbs-by-ronny-le-blanc/

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In this urban fantasy short story, we step into the life of Tova Gallagher’s mother—a woman who once sowed wild oats but now sees demons in the everyday. When a trip to Walmart turns into a crusade, the battle isn’t fought with fists, but with fear, faith, and words. What happens when fundamentalism collides with fluorescent lights and craft supplies?

Welcome to Episode 4 of Season 3—our fiction season, where I’m sharing original short stories from my Tova Gallagher urban fantasy universe. This week’s tale, A One-Woman Walmart Battle, explores a parent’s complicated love, the blurred line between devotion and fear, and how even Walmart can become a battleground when demons are involved.

After the story, I’ll share how my own journey—growing up in an Independent Fundamentalist Baptist environment and later becoming a progressive, queer Christian focused on social justice—inspired this character. I’ll also talk about why humor can soften even the most divisive topics, and how writing from the perspective of someone you dislike can add depth and nuance to your fiction.

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Welcome to Episode 3 of Season 3—our fiction season, where I’m sharing original short stories from my urban fantasy universe. This week’s tale, What Happens When a Vampire Gardens at Midnight?, uses invasive plant removal as a metaphor for corruption, control, and the darker sides of human (and vampire) society.

After the story, I’ll share how my own battle with tiger lilies inspired this scene, why vampires in my world reflect the worst parts of human politics, and how fantasy gives us the distance to see real-world truths more clearly.

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Welcome to Episode 2 of Season 3—our fiction season, where I’m sharing original short stories from my urban fantasy universe. This week’s tale, A Weekly Group for a Monthly Problem, explores werewolfism as a metaphor for chronic illness, blending real-world support group dynamics with supernatural tension.

After the story, I’ll share how this scene grew from a character backstory exercise, why peer groups are so powerful, and how metaphors in fantasy can illuminate real-life experiences.

If you’re looking for peer support like I discussed in this episode, please check out intherooms.com (all genders) or sherecovers.org (women and nonbinary people).

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Welcome to Episode 1 of Season 3—our fiction season, where I share original short stories from my paranormal romance universe. This week’s tale, Demon Training 101, brings a mix of urban fantasy mayhem, sardonic humor, and supernatural trouble on the Charles River.

After the story, I’ll share behind-the-scenes insight into how I balanced creepy atmosphere with playful absurdity while expanding the Tova Gallagher universe.

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This week, I’m macraméing a fish keychain… and unexpectedly tying myself into centuries of history. I’ll walk you through the project step-by-step, from knotting the cord to tea-dyeing the final result. Then we’ll dive into the surprisingly radical story of macramé—from sailors passing time at sea to 1960s artists using it to reject industrial capitalism.

Whether you’re curious about making your own macramé keychain or just love handmade things with a backstory, this episode blends hands-on creativity, fiber history, and one very charming fish.

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➡ The macrame fish tutorial from Macrame Art Tutorial (not sponsored): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNpB-zblROc

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This week, I’m trying my hand at 2D needle felting—what some call painting with wool, and what I call a little cathartic stabbing in the name of art. I’ll walk you through the cactus-themed kit I used (a wool anniversary gift I finally finished after three years), what went well, what didn’t, and how I problem-solved along the way.

Then we’ll dig into the surprisingly modern history of needle felting—a craft that didn’t take off until the 1980s, despite felting itself being thousands of years old.

Whether you’re a fiber arts newbie or a fellow felting fan, this episode blends hands-on creativity, fiber history, and a few unexpected discoveries.Image of wool slippers - Sarah CC BY-SA 2.0 https://www.flickr.com/photos/lessshushmorelush/3215069519

Image of Martha’ Vineyard - NormanEinstein CC BY-SA 3.0https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Martha%27s_Vineyard_map.png

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Image of 1960s wallpaper - Domincspics, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Want more fiction, folklore, and fiber arts in your life? ➡ Get the wallpaper from today’s episode (not sponsored): https://tempaper.com/products/gold-royal-palm-peel-and-stick-wallpaper ➡ Read my longer-form fiction: https://opinionsofawolf.com/publications ➡ Follow me on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content: @opinionsofawolf ➡ Sign up for my newsletter to get exclusive updates and stories straight to your inbox: https://opinionsofawolf.com/newsletter/ ➡ Support the show on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/8d2240b19703eab

Welcome to the first episode of Season 2—our first-ever fiber arts season! (Quick reminder: odd-numbered seasons focus on fiction, while even-numbered ones highlight fiber arts and handmade creativity.)

This week, I’m diving into a Stitch & Zip eyeglasses case kit I found at a thrift store for just $3. I share what it was like to stitch this cheerful sunflower design, how it compares to other needlecrafts I’ve done, and whether I'd recommend it—especially if you're a beginner.

Then we’ll explore the surprisingly rich history of the Alice Peterson Company, the woman-owned, US-based brand behind the kit. It’s the perfect start to this season’s theme: finishing what I start—one handmade project at a time.

Want more fiction, folklore, and fiber arts in your life? ➡ Read my longer-form fiction: https://opinionsofawolf.com/publications ➡ Follow me on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content: @opinionsofawolf ➡ Sign up for my newsletter to get exclusive updates and stories straight to your inbox: https://opinionsofawolf.com/newsletter/ ➡ Support the show on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/8d2240b19703eab