…is finally over! Long time no update. Since my last post, I’ve continued writing but stepped back from social media and marketing to focus on completing my college degree and keeping up with ongoing health checks to ensure I stay cancer-free. The editor I felt the strongest connection with also took a break from editing, which felt like a sign to slow down, regroup, and reassess both my writing and voice-over career goals.

In the midst of all this, I bought a house in Japan, hopped on a plane, and completed a full college term from abroad—all while prioritizing my mental and physical health.

Before leaving for Japan, I had the opportunity to support The Pixel Project in collaboration with Under Her Eye by contributing to their People and Pets Say No! campaign. The Pixel Project does incredible work, and this campaign is no exception. Pets are often victims of domestic violence as well, and the inability to take a beloved pet with them can be a significant barrier for women trying to leave abusive environments. This organization does so much for women and deserves more support—especially in a time when our basic rights and safety are once again under threat by a fascist administration. Please check them out and consider offering your support: https://www.thepixelproject.net/.

Then came January, and I was back in America, where it felt like much of the mental and physical progress I made abroad was once again under threat. Two weeks ago, I underwent another major post-cancer surgery to correct some lingering issues from radiation therapy. Fortunately, I’m healing quickly, still managing to write, and keeping up with my coursework. Honestly, the most frustrating part of having another surgery was having to pause my progress in the Hatsune Miku Boxing game on the Nintendo Switch. I was getting strong fast—and now I have to start over. There’s truly never been a better time to train for punching Nazis.

One thing that has been keeping me both sane and inspired in my writing is a course I’m taking on Dystopian Literature. It’s already one of my favorite genres, but right now, it feels especially prescient—both cathartic and deeply unsettling. I do have concerns about how new policies might affect my studies moving forward. It’s simultaneously the worst time and the perfect time to be an Ethnic and Gender Studies major.

Speaking of dystopian themes, Severance—one of the best shows on television—is finally back! My partner and I have also been catching up on the final two seasons of What We Do in the Shadows (because sometimes you just need to laugh in the face of existential dread). I also made it out to the movies for Nosferatu. I did not get the coveted coffin popcorn bucket.

Writing, even in small ways, can be an act of resistance. If you’re feeling fragile and overwhelmed right now, I want to offer some reassurance: in my published short horror stories, the women always win. That victory looks different depending on the story, and the gore factor ranges from zero to extreme, but one thing remains constant—they take control and flip the narrative. Remembering that has been pushing me to get back to my desk and turn some drafts over to my editor, who, thankfully, is back from her own well-timed break.

Until next time, please take care of yourselves. And if you happen to pick up any of my stories, consider leaving a review on Goodreads, Amazon, or Storygraph—or even just sending a kind word to publishers. Once the initial sales period for new releases slows down, it’s harder for small indie publishers and new authors to keep older (i.e., not brand-new) work in circulation. New reviews help with search engine rankings and algorithms, and direct feedback is always deeply appreciated.