scrubjayspeaks

It occurred to me that this might be a good place to mention crowdfunding and fundraising projects I'm supporting. Preferably while they're still open and there's value in doing so. (ˉ▽ˉ；) Bluesky (which I'm actually keeping up with on a regular basis) has a lot of project promotion activity, from artists showing off their portfolios and print shops to crafters showing WIPs and process explanations.

Right now, with the *gestures vaguely*, it makes me feel less hopeless to be able to support trans people directly. Projects that also tell our stories do double duty in that respect.

Also, not for nothing, backing projects that won't ship/release until a future point gives me something to look forward to. You know, in case I find myself needing a reason to hang around.

Transfixed - Trans & Genderqueer Erotic FairyTales Anthology

This is a comics anthology from Filthy Figments. I haven't read anything from them before, but they're being promoted by the Oh Joy Sex Toy team, which I've followed off and on for many years. That's enough of an endorsement for me. And some of the stories feature transmasc people, which I still find frustratingly difficult to get in fiction.

Excitingly, the project creator is Gina Biggs, of the romance manga series Red String. For a while in high school (?), I followed the series. As is often the case, trying to keep up with any kind of periodical series is a recipe for failure for me. But I remember it fondly.

There are a ton of optional add-ons. I opted to get the Ardent and Night School pack. Since I haven't interacted with this group before, I didn't want to go too nuts. But their itch.io store offers many things that I can grab later if I like this one. Also, they've got Red String in there and ooooh, the nostalgia is calling me.


Stories for the Trans Rights Readathon, an itch.io bundle from 42 creators, hosted by Robin Jo Margaret

"The Trans Rights Readathon is an annual call to action to readers and book lovers in support of Trans Day of Visibility (TDOV) on March 31st. This year’s Trans Rights Readathon will take place from March 21st to March 31st."

I'm really a fan of bundles like this. If I know a couple of the people involved and want what they're offering, it's pretty easy to immediately get my money's worth. Then I also have a big collection of new works, essentially free for the cost of admission, in which I might find my next favorite thing. I do, in fact, know some of the authors in here--I've been wanting to read some of Dee Arbacauskas/Tormented Artifacts' fiction, having already purchased her leatherwork.


Honorable mention to one that just closed: The Immortal Choir Holds Every Voice, the third novella in a series by Margaret Killjoy.

I've really enjoyed Margaret's short stories, many of which have been read by her on the Cool Zone Media podcasts It Could Happen Here, Cool People Who Did Cool Stuff, and such. I haven't read this series yet, but I trust her as a writer at this point. And being able to get audio versions of the previous installments was very appealing as a way to get started.

I dithered back and forth on which level to back. But goddamn it, the prospect of a big patch with a eldrich deer god was more temptation than I could bear.