In an attempt to wrangle my life into a planner for the year, I thought, “Hey, what if I add some fun book or writing themed national holidays?” I grossly underestimated how many there are. March, alone, has over 15. Did you know that National Reading Month, National Small Press Month, National March into Literacy Month, Read an E-book Week, National Grammar Day, World Folktales & Fables Week, World Poetry Day, Shakespeare Week, Tolkien Reading Day, AND National Pencil Day were all in March?
You know what else is in March? The release of Paws and Peril—a romantic suspense zine I’m in!
You may be wondering, “Marissa, what IS a zine?” A “zine” is a “DIY subculture self-publication” or “noncommercial…publication usually devoted to specialized…subject matter“.
“Marissa, I didn’t know zines were still a thing!” And dearest, gentlereader, I’m right there with you. I’m just old enough to have seen zines referenced in media as the edgy, subculture method of getting your voice heard, but young enough to see fanartists use them for specific fandoms to support their fellow creators. These days, it’s less collaging the work together and running photocopies and more creating digital downloads and e-books.
Some specialized subject matter you can look forward to in Paws and Peril:
- very good doggos
- nothing bad will happen to said doggos
- smooching (and then some)
- paranormal, sci-fi, and contemporary romance
(I love that this one zine hits National Reading Month, National Small Press Month, Read an Ebook, and, World Folktales & Fables all in one)
March is book-focused for me in a number of ways. Not only is it the first release of the year for me, but it’s when I’m (hopefully) focusing, and getting my damn novel manuscript into decent shape. I want to crack open a ridiculously cool TTRPG module I received for my birthday—and hope to run someday—called She is the Ancient. One of my bookish besties lent me the next two books in the dark romance series she’s got me into, and I might even finish them before the end of the month (look, let a girl dream)!
It’s also a certain named-after-a-book-character cat’s birthday at the very end of the month. We had to guess TenSoon’s age based on vet-approximations, and April Fool’s Day just…suits him.
TenSoon isn’t really a book fan, despite his namesake’s origins. I’ve caught him chewing on no less than three different tomes.
In honor of all those Bookish Holidays, let me know, what are you reading this month?
What Am I Up to?
- Reading: This Blood that Binds Us by S.L. Cokeley. An vampire romance story, though I’m only just sinking my teeth in (yes that pin was intended), it’s interesting so far, and the author has me eager for the character backstories.
- Listening: Critical Role’s Abridged of Campaign 3. I miss seeing the cast’s silliness and expressions, but the Abridged version is a well-crafted, condensed version.
- Drinking: The Labyrinth Masquerade in Los Angeles makes their own tea blends for their event, and I finally busted open the Sunseeker blend. Black tea base with some fruity and floral add ins, it’s cozy but still bright.
- Crafting: I crocheted a cute Spider-Punk plush for my friend’s birthday, based on the pattern by Divine Crochet. Easy to follow along and easy to customize (I have a Miguel O’Hara variant hanging in my car).
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