A letter I wrote to my favorite director on his 80th birthday. I love you, John Waters.

Young couple in the fields

I've recently discovered that Sharai is a "recovering stage manager" (her apt words), and that's only part of the reason I respond extremely well to her straightforward, perceptive, shit-firmly-put-together energy. If you're trying to make your way in a creative space, this is an invaluable thread.

Heartbroken to finish the Cal Hooper trilogy but there could be no better finale than The Keeper. In the end, this was a story about family and community being what we make of them, a place where our briars are allowed to grow, people who are willing to brave our sharpest, darkest parts.

A rundown of what I saw and enjoyed at the Overlook Film Festival last weekend: www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie...

You know what's wild and lovely and important? Every time I think I'm in over my head, I reach out to someone like @brianwcollins.bsky.social, @thatwitchmia.bsky.social or @gayofthedead.bsky.social for help. They lighten my load and make everything feel doable. BUT they seem to appreciate it, too?

that looks nice

I'm going to be honest, "The Pope vs. the President" feels like the kind of thing Dan Brown would exclaim as he sits bolt upright, ripped from sleep in the middle of the night.

I predicted someone like Trump many years ago, in THE DEAD ZONE. So now I'm saying this--in the next 12-16 months, we're going to find out if the two machines for the removal of a man unable to fulfill his duties actually work. They are impeachment and the 25th amendment. He is deeply unwell .

“I want to see mountains again, Gandalf, mountains!” Sharpening that saw the best way I know how: www.instagram.com/p/DWyYKxciDi...

I was a ghost writer for a nationally syndicated sex therapist. I also house-sat for her, took care of her ancient beagle, and worked at her retail shop, among 3 other jobs I was juggling. Ahh, college.

I've written and co-edited a whole stack of film crit books since 2011, with two more coming this year. If the intersection of genre (especially horror and exploitation) and genre is of interest, gee whiz do I have the books for you 💜 horrornonna.com/books/

I made a dumb joke about a dog named Arf Arfunkel and now I can’t stop thinking about it. …Arf. Arfunkel.

Love to see a Fango headline and IMMEDIATELY know it’s BC:

Really *unique* outtake from my interview with Lee Cronin for Fango Issue #31 plus sign up to see THE MUMMY early? Go right now.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Find out what it means to me, in today’s Terror Teletype. manage.kmail-lists.com/subscription...

this one lives inside me for eternity, I will remember it after I have forgotten my own name

Well if this isn't something else. @beckysayers.bsky.social's short "All Kinds of Animals" premieres on Screambox Bloody Bites on April 10th!

Well, we've reached a stretch goal I never in 1 million years thought possible. Thanks to 10,628 backers, we're releasing an exclusive Fango anthology comic! I continue to be inspired, motivated and awed by the support y'all have shown this project. If you want the comic, only one way to get it!👇

Ok, new goal.

🚨 Fangoria horror comics!! 🚨 This has been on my wish list for years!

My new afternoon ritual is a thermos of jasmine silver needle green tea, slowly parsed out in a little cup over hours, while working to a “Hyper Focus: Beta Waves for Concentration” playlist. Post-lunch slump, who is she!!

Read this and cheer! All hail Britt Hayes. 👏

@wilwheaton.net returns to The Kingcast to talk about his new audiobook narration of The Body, the 40th Anniversary of Stand By Me, his personal King fandom, and the impact the late, great Rob Reiner had on his life. Fair warning: this one gets emotional right out of the gate.

LOTS more YA fantasy recs in my QTs and replies here. I love well-read mutuals 😍

Ahead of her lovely new film, The Serpent’s Skin, releasing this weekend, I caught up with my bud Alice to talk about the fallacy of each new film being her “most personal yet,” sensuality in cinema and the timelessness of Buffy. Read it here: inreviewonline.com/2026/03/25/i...

evergreen advice: ~~~listen to Mae~~~

anything Tamora Pierce, but specifically the Song of the Lioness quartet!

The Prydain Chronicles

I'll add some Clive Barker awesomeness to the mix.

I recently gifted my nephew The Chronicles of Narnia. I would also add the Redwall series to this list.

Discworld! While not explicitly YA, they can be aimed at that demographic. The books are fairly short, easily digestible for kids as young as 12, works for adults, has a wealth of developed characters, and sneaks in a good message when you're not looking.

Witch Hat Atelier. Soon (6th april) even the animated series for WHA will air.

The Old Kingdom books by Garth Nix—at least the original trilogy, I haven't kept up with the less-well-received books that came later—absolutely rock

Reminder that supporting HBO Max’s new version of the magical school series LITERALLY (financially) supports the world’s biggest transphobe, so…support anything else instead.

A Series Of Unfortunate Events. Not magical but certainly got its share of Nice Orphans In Peril Against Nasty Grownups.

Why watch a new HARRY POTTER when you can go rewatch the MAZE RUNNER movies, which are perfect in every way?

If you immediately require a YA (or thereabouts) fantasy series, allow me to offer some Harry Potter alts: The Magicians, Earthsea, Ember in the Ashes, Shadow & Bone, Scholomance, The Raven Boys, Legendborn, Fourth Wing, Six of Crows, His Dark Materials, Chaos Walking, Legacy of Orïsha...

Can we talk for a second about Kimberly Leszak? Smart; loyal; secretly hilarious. One of the strongest people I know. I’m full of pride and love for her, and blessed beyond measure to always have her in my corner. Happy birthday, @crazysexyghoul.bsky.social - I’m so, so glad you were born 🖤

Over here wishing @crazysexyghoul.bsky.social a tremendously happy birthday and you should be, too! She's the voice and face and heart of Fango, our community high priestess, the hardest working woman in the biz, and someone whose mind I admire immensely. Good at spreadsheets AND words?! Study her!

hwat

Very flattered to be the subject of this incredibly sharp, deep dive interview in Bloodletter Magazine with the great Ariel McCleese that's just gone live!

Remember Me was MY SHIT. I reread it as an adult and, guess what, it holds the hell up. It's a great little beyond-the-grave murder mystery with a tender emotional throughline.

rock guyyyyyys

Ah yes, Christopher in his Leebrary.

This week marks 15 years of working in film exhibition. It's a job I never thought I'd have, let alone keep doing for over a third of my life. In honor, I wrote up 15 things I've learned during my time in movie theaters. robsaucedo.substack.com/p/so-you-wan...

1000 Women in Horror: @horrornonna is simply one of the smartest people and best writers I know, and the doc sings thanks to her insights, and those of the MANY other brilliant women I love and admire in my favorite genre 🖤

One of my favorite books of the past, well, eternity, is Joe Hill's KING SORROW. And the e-book is only 1.99 today! Insane bargain for a life-changing book you'll never ever stop thinking about!

Yeah, I’m pro-Britt. You should be too!