I am finally going to write the book on goth. I am going to do this. I've goth this. ;)

Mia Garay very succinctly explains the differences between editors and beta readers. As someone who edits professionally, both are very useful!

Finally, if you are in the Atlanta area next week, come see me at the Goth Market. I will be selling books, handmade jewelry, home decor, and lots of curated plus sized clothing! (Writer's gotta eat...)

A few days ago, a ghost story anthology I wrote a story for released. This is the first time any of my fiction has been published, ever. I am very proud of my story, "Hunger," which features Macon, GA, and a horror that is not what it seems. You can purchase here. #booksky books2read.com/u/3yR7NJ

In celebrating philosophy, The Philosopher's Shirt is doing a contest where everyone wins. Share a philosophy shelfie, and I will give you a discount code to use on whatever you like on the site! Here is mine.

I am a few days behind on my posting. It's been a long week. But, to stave away the Sunday Scaries, have an article about Aristotle's virtue ethics, written by yours truly! #philsky the-philosophers-shirt.com/blogs/philos...

Just finished up a piece about Foucault's Madness and Civilization. Having been hospitalized several times, it was a tough thing to write. I am more than ready for a break.

Couldn't have happened to anyone better!

My posting here has been limited due to illness, so I missed the opportunity to share my article on Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, a 17th century Mexican nun who defied the patriarchy and landed a legacy. It's up on The Philosopher's Shirt! #philsky the-philosophers-shirt.com/blogs/philos...

Toni Morrison was the first author to ever truly traumatize me with a book. Beloved was required reading in high school, and it was horrific. But necessary. I was horrified at the dehumanized enslaved people. But it was just a reflection the daily dehumanization they would have faced in reality.

Libraries have a great selection of physical AND audiobooks!

Do you remember when you got your first library card? I remember proudly signing my name on my library card at Gwinnett Public Libraries. When I worked at the public library in Macon, signing up kids for their first cards was one of my favorite things. <3

Never heed those who will tell you that what you read is not of value or mock your genre of choice. Romantasy is valid. A lot of OG fantasy starting out involved beautiful love stories. Erotica/smut is valid. Sometimes our brains need a break and to enjoy something that isn't the horror of reality.

Whenever I do a book review, unless it's a hugely popular author with twenty years of books to their name, I try hard not to completely trash it, especially if it's a first effort. While it might feel cute to eviscerate, in the end, what if it was my book? Authors read the reviews too. #booksky

This is apparently a thing that is happening. Not good.

I really love Bluesky, but people not tagging their own sexual content is very much a problem. Every now and again, I search "goth" to see if there is anything interesting. Every time, without fail, I see the exploitation of goth women and it makes me sick. At least tag your content. #notyourfantasy

This happened in Atlanta. It is very much NOT OK. Please share this, because I think it's being buried under all the other news. No one should have to be afraid to learn. #hbcu

Jobs for philosophy do exist. I had been told otherwise for many, many years.

As I browse, any accounts that market AI as a panacea, or are demeaning to people who choose not to write with it, are going on my block list. I don't think AI is going to end up becoming sentient, Terminator style, but I find it offensive that people are using it to create and sell. #AI

A good resource for educators!

This one is going to be worth a watch. Hildegard of Bingen is one of the most influential philosophers of the Middle Ages, and a personal hero of mine. :)

Keep reading. It's one of the most radical things you can do.

I am obligated to always share some creepy covers. Let's go!

This looks like it's going to be a great read!

Do people ever try to make a case for their PhD candidacy online? At 40, I need to pursue this or I am going to live to regret it. The last time I applied, I was unsuccessful, due to various limiting factors. I am inclined to believe I have a better case now, but it's all disheartening.

It's my boy Theodor Adorno's birthday. If you don't know about The Culture Industry, I cannot tell you enough how important this work is, not only to the 20th century, but now, when everything is mass produced. Over and over again. #philsky

I am about to turn into a middle aged Goo Goo Muck. I am not sure what that entails, but it is probably frightening.

In my newest Substack post, I do something I've not really done for over a decade. I rip out a piece of my soul. In this post, I discuss death, trauma, and life, as well as the often complicated relationship between mother and daughter. #writing open.substack.com/pub/cmblack/...

Clearly we need more Dracula mashups. Let's go!

Spooky stuff must be shared!

This may be an interesting opportunity to sit in on an intriguing part of philosophy.

You can join the discussion later this week, on the rise of "Global ‘Anti-Gender’ Politics: Nationalist, Populist and Feminist Convergences". This 2-day conference is free, online, and features 5 panels + a keynote by @reproutopia.bsky.social. Hope to see you there! #AcademicSky #PhilSky

I'd like to invite you to read my newest on Substack, in which I discuss Lady Gaga's "The Dead Dance" in the context of choreomania and the danse macabre. open.substack.com/pub/cmblack/...

Pleased to announce that tomorrow will usher in yet another "Wednesday" piece. Be on the lookout for "Dancing to Death," headed to your inboxes tomorrow! #goth #wednesday #ladygaga

Discussing #Wednesday through the lens of asexuality. My new Substack is up! open.substack.com/pub/cmblack/...

Coming soon, to your inbox. #wednesday #wednesdayaddams #goth #asexuality

New #NIN video out. I thought it was, visually and sonically speaking, a great nod to the aWitha Teetha era. Glad to see TR returning to a form he perfected years ago. www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnMy...

This is something that will surely be worth a read!

#Dragoncon2025 was nice, but I don't think I can do a con of that size again. Had two panic attacks on Sunday, and felt very embarrassed. Sobbing woman by elevator is not a great look. I was able to get ready for the Open Casket party, but by the time we got there, it was closed off. But I did slay.

So it begins. Badges for #dragoncon2025 acquired. If you are here, feel free to approach me and claim your sticker from The Philosopher's Shirt! #philsky

The Philosopher's Shirt is back with our blog post about Hildegard of Bingen and veriditas. Have a look at the link below, and subscribe to our Memesletter! #philosophy #philsky the-philosophers-shirt.com/blogs/philos...

I'd like to share my newest from Substack, a piece on goth and aging. I invite you to read, and if you like, comment and/or share. It would mean a lot. (It's free!) #goth open.substack.com/pub/cmblack/...

I am considering going into philosophy-related content creation, but I really don't know where to start. I am old and uncomfortable being in front of a camera. Does anyone who works with this have any protips? Sincerely appreciated. #philsky #philosophy

I've not read either of these, but spooky books always deserve a repost. Always.

I still consider how disheartening it was to be condescended to in an email by the director of an MA #philosophy program I considered pursuing. As a 40-year-old woman with a journal publication and professional writing career under her belt, I do not write "compare and contrast essays" anymore.

One of the OGs in spooky books!

I am proud to share that I will be handing out 40 of these babies, courtesy of my employer, The Philosopher's Shirt, at DragonCon next Saturday. If you see me around, say hi and grab an awesome sticker! #philosophy #philsky PS: Even better if you want to talk about any of the books pictured. ;)

AI is not a panacea. We should think critically and realistically about its use.

Five in the morning complaint: It's so disheartening to see AI-related content promoted in one of the main writing feeds. It's starting to look LinkedIn in here. :( #writing

In celebration of Bad Poetry Day, I've put my (good) poetry and writing books on sale in my Pango store. Feel free to browse. If you're new, you get $5 off your purchase with my code SPOOKYCUTE and you support your starving writer! pangobooks.com/shelves/goth...