May's Flowers
The blooming
Spring brought with it a lot of storms, and I have spent a significant amount of time indoors avoiding the rain. I got a bit lost in the shadows and found myself submitting to their fears. As Spring bleeds into summer next month, I am excited to embrace the transition.
There have been a lot of seedlings sprouting in the garden lately. It’s slow and gentle work, gardening that is; and it’s thrilling to see all of the beautiful growth blossoming. If you have stuck around while I sorted myself out, I am extremely grateful. I am steadily approaching 40, but sometimes I feel the insecurities of my 19-year-old self, who had no clue what she was doing. I’m figuring it out, finding my voice; and every day I am a little less afraid to be Bea.
So, thanks for hanging out while the garden was being tended. The gate is open once again.
Love you friend,
~Bea
The current playlist providing a soundtrack to my life
Moonlight & Mulch is coming June 21st!
The Summer issue of the zine will still have a Substack version as well as the digital zine. It will be a bit smaller than the last issue, but full of just as much love and magic. Submissions are now closed so I can focus on editing and making it look the best I can. I am really excited to share all of the freedom and transformation that Spring has inspired as we step into Summer.
A new series has begun!
Transcripts of Healing is a series loosely based on sessions I had with the therapist that unlocked a path in my journey of healing and self-discovery. There is no trauma dumping! Trauma is referenced, but not specified. My intention with this series is to highlight the transformation that took place during that time, and how it grew into the healing I know today.
Letters of Becoming is now in The Garden
I had a secondary publication on here called We Shadows, for a while, that housed a series of letters reflecting inner turmoil and the search for clarity. Those letters are now here in Bees & Belladonna as a collection. They will not be posted as individual letters, but they will get an update when a new letter arrives.
Looking Ahead
October will be here before we know it, and I want to be well prepared for spooky season. Last year we threw a murder mystery tea at Lady Ravenswood’s mysterious estate. It was magical, and it is one of my favorite collaborations. (I have recently reposted the entire series and you can click this link to experience that evening again) Every writer who joined me in that endeavor dove headfirst into my crazy idea, and it came out beautiful. It was one of those ‘lightning in a bottle’ kind of moments for me. There is only one thing I would change about it. The ending.
Since it was a last-minute project, we were each writing our pieces weekly and adding them as we went. It was stressful lol. Because of the rush to get things completed on time, I feel like the ending got rushed, and the true vision for how I saw things concluding got abbreviated.
So, to avoid the stress of feeling rushed and cutting off an epic story abruptly, I want to plant the seed for an October story Idea now. It might seem a bit early to be sharing this, but it’s is a big story!
There are a few characters that will need authors, and maybe if we hash things out earlier, the writing can get done earlier, and we can all just enjoy the unfolding story in October together.
This year…
HEMLOCK HOUSE: A Collaborative Epistolary Horror Project
I’m looking for writers interested in atmospheric, character-driven horror with an emphasis on tension, symbolism, emotional depth, and unsettling beauty. If you enjoy writing gothic fiction, folk horror, psychological horror, atmospheric storytelling, epistolary narratives, mythic ambiguity, and emotionally driven horror; this is for you!
There are only eight invitations being sent out. If you are interested in participating in this Halloween tale, here are the characters that are seeking a writer.
Character 1-The Mourner: Unable to let go.
Character 2-The Academic: Searching for proof.
Character 3-The Runaway: Desperately searching for home.Character 4-The Lost Devotee: Searching for absolution.
Character 5-The Grieving Lover: Seeking their lost love.
Character 6-The Angry Heir: Wanting what’s theirs.
Character 7-The Misguided Hero: Seeking glory.
Character 8-The Truth Seeker: After clarity and understanding.ALL CARACTERS HAVE WRITERS!!!
I will be sending out personalized invitations (Welcome Packets) that will contain all of the lore and information required to create your character. The invitations will be sent out by July 1st. I will message you in a DM with a reminder to send me your email, if I don’t already have it, so I can send you your official invitation.
If you would like to claim a character, please do so in the comments or via DM. It is a first come first serve kind of situation.
Once all of the guests have writers, I will make sure to update this post so there is no confusion.
All you’ll be asked to write is one single piece for this project. One letter. It will be woven into a full story that will come out twice a week in October.
There will be a liminal island that only appears once a month, fluid time that spans from the 80’s to 2026, and a couple of characters that might seem a bit familiar.
This will be fun! I think with everything already being mapped out this time, it will make it easier for you all to contribute. Since the full project won’t be posted until October, there is plenty of time to really solidify your character and make their story real. My goal is stress-free fun for all.
I look forward to writing with you again. :)
If you’re missing RM, she posted something new! She has a lot of wonderful projects happening at the moment that you should definitely check out.
From Blood Opal Bloom: Stephanie’s Story – RM Greta | Writer
“Here’s a flash fiction story from the perspective of a minor character in my work in progress, titled “Blood Opal Bloom” (for now). Stephanie appears right before part three of the novel, where she meets Catrina, daughter of Erasmo (Catriz’s brother), when they are both detained and deported to Tellus-617c, a mysterious celestial anomaly that appeared in 2001, after some crazy shit happened in the desert. This story will not appear in the finished work.”
“She was finally responsible for her survival in a tangible way, and she, like many others, saw their deportation from Earth as the only chance they’d ever get at peace.”
Focal Bonsai Has a habit of reminding me that while is healing journey may be intimately personal, we aren’t alone as we walk this path. The way she shares the vulnerable moments of discovering herself is both beautiful and inspiring. Her most recent post felt so relatable and reflective of that liminal space between knowing who you are while still doubting. Check it out!
I don’t have much more to add to this little update. I just wanted to share some of the things I’m working on and extend my gratitude for those who have stuck around and tolerate my brand of chaos. So, thanks, again.
~Bea
Hey Bea, I would love to be considered to write for:
Character 8-The Truth Seeker: After clarity and understanding.
Very cool, found this from RM Greta’s newsletter. First time really participating here but if possible can I take the misguided hero for the October event :)