Writing Alchemy Fay Onyx

Summary
I created a short teaser for those new listeners wondering what Writing Alchemy is all about.
Writing Alchemy is a storytelling podcast that centers intersectional characters, including a fairy tale series that combines humor and magic with serious topics, and a tabletop role-playing series about the adventures of disabled and mentally diverse heroes.
 
Links
RSS feed: https://writing-alchemy.net/feed/podcast
Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=154803&refid=stpr
itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/gy/podcast/writing-alchemy/id1049213332
Google Play: https://play.google.com/music/listen?authuser&u=0#/ps/Iv7lbjcvu3ao5jnjtkhhrhfq3vm
 
Credits
Clip 1
Episode: https://writing-alchemy.net/podcast/episode-25-cats-paw-ghost-control-adventure-1-the-lederhosen-sprites/
Clip 2
Episode: https://writing-alchemy.net/podcast/episode-2-tala-and-godmother-death-part-1/
Underground cavern music: Gentle Whispering (Lee Rosevere) / CC BY-NC 4.0
Clip 3
Episode: https://writing-alchemy.net/podcast/episode-28-the-renegade-starship-part-2/
The damaged terminal effect was created from the following four sounds:
Initial damage sound: electric_sparks.mp3 by Connum | License: Attribution Noncommercial
Electrical arcing: sparks.wav by Marregheriti | License: Creative Commons 0
Electricity hissing: Welding Electricity Sparks by Wakerone | License: Creative Commons 0
Continuous background sparks: Electric Sparks.wav by weaveofk | License: Creative Commons 0
Clip 4
Episode: https://writing-alchemy.net/podcast/episode-25-cats-paw-ghost-control-adventure-1-the-lederhosen-sprites/
The cat toys sound was created from layers of the following four sounds:
Balls hitting the floor: Ball bouncing.wav by Elmarp | License: Attribution Noncommercial
Rolling sound: 1000marbles.wav by Claire.H | License: Attribution
Vibrating rolling sound: BallRolling.wav by 150025 | License: Attribution Noncommercial
Jingling: Bell jingling inside plastic ball by Wingcommander1 | License: Attribution Noncommercial
Clip 5
Episode: https://writing-alchemy.net/podcast/episode-19-welcome-to-the-first-responder-training-program-part-1/
Clip 6
Episode: https://writing-alchemy.net/podcast/episode-25-cats-paw-ghost-control-adventure-1-the-lederhosen-sprites/The post Writing Alchemy Teaser first appeared on Oppression Aware Podcast, Fairy Tales, and Games.

Writing Alchemy New Listener Introduction Summary

The purpose of this episode is to give new listeners an introduction to the two different podcast series in Writing Alchemy and to present some different options for good places to start listening.
Photograph of a silver and black desktop microphone sitting on a white surface with its black cord trailing off to the left.
 
Show Notes:
Fay’s Links
You can become my patron on my Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/WritingAlchemy
Kofi donation: http://ko-fi.com/S6S4BFL0
The RSS feed of this podcast is: https://writing-alchemy.net/feed/podcast
Music and Sound Credits
Intro: Mellowtron (Kevin MacLeod) / CC BY 3.0
Transition and end: Poofy Reel (Kevin MacLeod) / CC BY 3.0The post New Listener Introduction first appeared on Oppression Aware Podcast, Fairy Tales, and Games.

Writing Alchemy Fairy Tale 1 Summary
Activist and filmmaker Tobi Hill-Meyer joins Fay for the reading of “Tala and Death’s Embrace” in its entirety, followed by a wide-ranging discussion that focuses on the depiction of trans characters in media.
Tala and Death’s Embrace: Tala’s friend is gravely ill. To save her friend’s life, trickster Tala matches wits with Death in a series of over-the-top hijinks which culminate in a final confrontation with a sexy twist. Find out what it takes to save her friend’s life!
Story: Tala and Death’s Embrace
Guest: Activist and filmmaker Tobi Hill-Meyer
Tala stands holding a sheet of parchment with blurry numbers on it. Across from her Death, depicted as older woman with white hair, sits on a bed with her scythe casually draped over her shoulder. In the background is a fireplace with a golden fire burning in it.
 
Show Notes:
Today’s Story
Tala and Death’s Embrace: https://writing-alchemy.net/fairy-tales/tala-and-deaths-embrace-2/
Fay’s Links
You can become my patron on my Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/WritingAlchemy
The RSS feed of this podcast is: https://writing-alchemy.net/feed/podcast
Here is a link to a list of USA Holidays and Observances: http://www.holidays-and-observances.com/holidays-by-month.html
Tobi Hill-Meyer’s Links
Her series, Doing It Online: http://www.doingitonline.com/
Sliding scale memberships through her Patreon site: http://patreon.com/DoingItOnline
Follow Gender Justice League on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GenderJusticeLeague
Music Credits:
Intro: Kickin’ in the Turbo (Alasdair Cooper) / CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Transition 1: Another Version of You (Chris Zabriskie) / CC BY 4.0
Street party: antipiracy (情報デスクVIRTUAL) / CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
The contest: Onistwave (P C III) / CC BY 4.0
Transition 2: The Place Where I’ll Return To (Alasdair Cooper) / CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Outro: Everybody’s Got Problems That Aren’t Mine (Chris Zabriskie) / CC BY 4.0
A zoom in on the score sheet that clearly shows numbers crossed out, added, moved, question marks, and a smiley face.The post Fairy Tale 1 – “Tala and Death’s Embrace” with Guest Tobi Hill-Meyer first appeared on Oppression Aware Podcast, Fairy Tales, and Games.

Writing Alchemy Fairy Tale 2 Summary

Performance artist and community organizer Liz Cruz joins Fay for the reading of the first half of “Tala and Godmother Death,” followed by a discussion that focuses on queer, femme, and trans representation, the origins of “Tala and Godmother Death” in the fairy tales collected and altered by the brothers Grimm, and the power of giving ourselves and each other permission.
Tala and Godmother Death: Inspired by the Grimms’ fairy tale “Godfather Death,” this story follows Death’s three godchildren and explores what happens when the most selfish and clever one comes across the trickster Tala.
Story: Tala and Godmother Death
Guest: Performance artist and community organizer Liz Cruz

This illustration is meant to be suggestive of the underground cavern full of candles. It depicts eight abstract candles surrounded by darkness. There is one candle close-up in the foreground with a pool of wax pouring from it. The other candles are less detailed and farther away. The flame of each candle is behaving in a different manner, with some blowing to the left and some blowing to the right, while others are still.
 
Show Notes:
Today’s story
Tala and Godmother Death: https://writing-alchemy.net/fairy-tales/tala-and-godmother-death/
Fay’s Links
You can become my patron on my Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/WritingAlchemy
The RSS feed of this podcast is: https://writing-alchemy.net/feed/podcast
Full text of an earlier version of Snow White and other similar fairy tales where the prince takes the unconscious/dead woman home: http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/type0709.html
Pissing in the Snow and Other Ozark Folktales: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/967818.Pissing_in_the_Snow_and_Other_Ozark_Folktales
The Turnip Princess and Other Newly Discovered Fairy Tales: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22571737-the-turnip-princess-and-other-newly-discovered-fairy-tales
Liz Cruz’s Links
Find out more about Debauchery and Lily Divine Productions: http://www.lilydivine.com
Music Credits:
Intro: Kickin’ in the Turbo (Alasdair Cooper) / CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Transition 1: Another Version of You (Chris Zabriskie) / CC BY 4.0
Underground cavern: Gentle Whispering (Lee Rosevere) / CC BY-NC 4.0
Tala-Death Romance: Onistwave (P C III) / CC BY 4.0
Transition 2: The Place Where I’ll Return To (Alasdair Cooper) / CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Outro: Everybody’s Got Problems That Aren’t Mine (Chris Zabriskie) / CC BY 4.0The post Fairy Tale 2 – “Tala and Godmother Death” Part 1 with Guest Liz Cruz first appeared on Oppression Aware Podcast, Fairy Tales, and Games.

Writing Alchemy Fairy Tale 3 Summary

Community-organizer and media-creator Tobi Hill-Meyer returns to join Fay for the reading of the second half of “Tala and Godmother Death,” followed by a discussion that focuses on gender exploration in trans literature, the importance of depicting forgiveness with consequences, and the humanizing potential of humor.
Tala and Godmother Death: Inspired by the Grimms’ fairy tale “Godfather Death,” this story follows Death’s three godchildren and explores what happens when the most selfish and clever one comes across the trickster Tala.
Story: Tala and Godmother Death
Guest: Community-organizer and media-creator Tobi Hill-Meyer

This illustration is meant to be suggestive of the underground cavern full of candles. It depicts eight abstract candles surrounded by darkness. There is one candle close-up in the foreground with a pool of wax pouring from it. The other candles are less detailed and farther away. The flame of each candle is behaving in a different manner, with some blowing to the left and some blowing to the right, while others are still.
 
Show Notes:
Today’s story
Tala and Godmother Death: https://writing-alchemy.net/fairy-tales/tala-and-godmother-death/
Fay’s Links
You can become my patron on my Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/WritingAlchemy
The RSS feed of this podcast is: https://writing-alchemy.net/feed/podcast
Beyond the Queer Sci-Fi & Fantasy Comic Anthology: http://www.beyondanthology.com/
The specific story referenced is “Optimal” by Blue Delliquanti which centers on the character Sulla. Sulla is also a main character in Blue’s webcomic O Human Star: http://ohumanstar.com/
Tobi Hill-Meyer’s Links
Call for submissions to her anthology of trans erotic fiction: http://handbasketproductions.com/call-for-submissions/
The author Tobi referenced who was told by her publisher that no character was allowed to be queer and happy at any book’s end was Marijane Meaker: http://everything.explained.today/Lesbian_pulp_fiction/
Music Credits:
Intro: Kickin’ in the Turbo (Alasdair Cooper) / CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Transition 1: Another Version of You (Chris Zabriskie) / CC BY 4.0
Feast music: Minstrel Guild (Kevin MacLeod) / CC BY 3.0
More direct link to Minstrel Guild: http://www.incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?collection=003
Underground cavern: Gentle Whispering (Lee Rosevere) / CC BY-NC 4.0
Tala-Death Romance: Onistwave (P C III) / CC BY 4.0
Transition 2: The Place Where I’ll Return To (Alasdair Cooper) / CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Outro: Everybody’s Got Problems That Aren’t Mine (Chris Zabriskie) / CC BY 4.0The post Fairy Tale 3 – “Tala and Godmother Death” Part 2 with Guest Tobi Hill-Meyer first appeared on Oppression Aware Podcast, Fairy Tales, and Games.

Writing Alchemy Fairy Tale 4 Summary

Activist and writer Jessica Miriam Littenberg joins Fay for the reading of part 1 of “Tala and Prince Hart,” which focuses on Prince Hart’s experience of being asexual in a society that does not recognize asexuality. Jessica then reads one of her powerful poems about transphobia. The following discussion focuses on the experience of not being what you are supposed to be according to society, racism and ableilsm in language, and using art to communicate the experience of oppression by connecting to identifiable feelings.
Tala and Prince Hart: Prince Hart is asexual, but his parents and many suitors are having a hard time accepting that. When the trickster Tala decides to come to his aid, chaos naturally ensues in this exuberant story that is a playful response to the all too common romanticization of boundary-crossing behaviors!
Story: Tala and Prince Hart
Guest: Activist and writer Jessica Miriam Littenberg

This is an illustration of the Musical Creature Band done in an abstract style. On the left is a bear playing a horn while standing on one foot. In the back is an elephant plucking the strings of a harp with its trunk. On the the right is a golden-brown rooster dancing by flapping its wings and strutting. In the front is a donkey with a white nose standing next to a blue drum.
 
Show Notes:
Today’s story
Tala and Prince Hart: https://writing-alchemy.net/fairy-tales/tala-and-prince-hart/
Fay’s Links
You can become my patron on my Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/WritingAlchemy
The RSS feed of this podcast is: https://writing-alchemy.net/feed/podcast
The black woman author whose name I could not remember during the discussion is Toni Morrison. The specific book I read in which she deliberately manipulates the imagery of whiteness is Song of Solomon. This link has a section which discusses that imagery: http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/solomon/themes.html
Jessica’s Links
Read more of Jessica’s work (an announcement will be posted when her book is released): http://www.freaksoftechnology.com/
Octavial Buttler: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octavia_E._Butler
Octavia’s Brood: Science Fiction Stories from Social Justice Movements: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23129839-octavia-s-brood
Music Credits:
Intro: Kickin’ in the Turbo (Alasdair Cooper) / CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Transition 1: Another Version of You (Chris Zabriskie) / CC BY 4.0
Market noises: whitechapel market 1.wav by Walter_Odington | License: Creative Commons 0
Market noises: 140802_Greenwich_FoodMarket_F.wav by blaukreuz | License: Creative Commons 0
Suitor’s theme: Thatched Villagers (Kevin MacLeod) / CC BY 3.0
Crowd noises at the contest: 072510_crowd_04.wav by sagetyrtle | License: Creative Commons 0
Musical Creature Band: Bird (Rod Hamilton) / CC BY-ND 3.0
Transition 2: The Place Where I’ll Return To (Alasdair Cooper) / CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Outro: Everybody’s Got Problems That Aren’t Mine (Chris Zabriskie) / CC BY 4.0The post Fairy Tale 4 – “Tala and Prince Hart” Part 1 with Guest Jessica Miriam Littenberg first appeared on Oppression Aware Podcast, Fairy Tales, and Games.