Browsing all articles by Kellie Doherty.
On the Importance of Critique Groups
Writing can be—and often is—a solitary journey. The stereotypical and sometimes romantic notion of a writer alone in a room penning the next great novel does stem from truth. Most of the time, writers do their work alone, whether that be in a coffee shop surrounded by people or in their one-bedroom apartment surrounded by […]
Harry Potter Day: Land of the Midnight Sun Style
We Alaskans know how to get nerdy with it. Geek culture is everywhere in Anchorage—from Bosco’s Not at Comic Con festival and SenshiCon to Geeks Who Drink trivia nights and the Critical Role critters strolling around town in t-shirts—we know how to let our nerd flag fly. So, when the Z. J. Loussac Library—our local […]
Writing Fantasy Saved My Mental State
Fantasy is sometimes referred to as “escapism” and it comes in many forms—whether that be reading a novel, getting immersed in a movie, or even playing a video game. That escapist state also comes while a writer is penning new stories—crafting new worlds, interesting magic, fun creatures, and adventurous plotlines. This is especially true when […]
On Planning My First Solo Author Event
Planning a book related event is stressful on all accounts, no matter if it’s a simple reading or a large writing conference. Regardless of size, the same questions remain: Will people have a good time? Does the agenda flow smoothly? Will people discover something exciting? Are there enough networking opportunities? What about food and drinks? […]
Wacky Real-Life Holidays for the Dragon at Heart
We all know us fantasy nerds love to celebrate. A new Wizarding World of Harry Potter expansion? Dress up like a wizard when you go explore it, of course! Game of Thrones back on again? Host a dinner celebration with GoT-themed foods. Watch a fun D&D show tonight? Draw all the characters and share the […]
The Steel Prince by V. E. Schwab
Well, fellow adventurers, she’s done it again. V. E. Schwab delivers another amazing story with her Shades of Magic expansion comic book entitled: The Steel Prince. Published in March 2019 from Titan Comics, The Steel Prince is an adult fantasy comic book that explores the backstory of a secondary character in the Shades of Magic […]
Publishing Program at Portland State University
In early 2014, I was lucky enough to be accepted into the Master of Science in Writing: Book Publishing Program at Portland State University (PSU). I quit my day-job, moved from Alaska to Oregon, and started the program in fall 2014. That particular move was a whirlwind, by the way—driving down to Oregon with my […]
Firefly: A Traveler’s Companion to the ‘Verse
I am a huge Firefly nerd. Like, seriously huge. I’ve watched the show and the movie many times. I took a movie criticism class in college and compared Star Wars and Serenity, just because I could. When I left my first full-time job, my coworker gave me Firefly comics as a parting gift. When I […]
A Noob Plays Minecraft
Gaming. It’s a big thing in nerd culture, and yes, I do consider myself a gamer. Though perhaps not a super serious one, I played quite a lot while growing up—Zelda, Mario, Spyro, Crash Bandicoot—and I always turn back to video games even now when I need a break. (I got Zelda: Breath of the […]
Ripple Grove Press Interview – Fantasy in Children’s Picture Books
When I was at Portland State University going for a master’s in book publishing (Yes, that’s a real thing!), I had the amazing opportunity to work one-on-one with some local publishers. One such opportunity was my internship with a family-owned, children’s picture book publishing company called Ripple Grove Press. The owners, Rob and Amanda, were […]
Going to a Writer’s Convention: What You Need to Know
When thinking about science fiction and fantasy conventions—sometimes referred to as cons—the mind automatically dashes off to PAX or New York Comic Con or any one of the conventions in and around your town. You know the ones I’m talking about. The events where you cosplay your favorite characters and sit at panels listening to […]
Critical Role Is A Natural 20 Of A Good Time
“How do you want to do this?” is a phrase that’s branded on t-shirts and hoodies, stickers and scarves. It’s hinted at around gaming tables, talked about on the Internet, and usually followed by screams of joy once a certain dungeon master says it during a game. The game is Dungeons & Dragons; the DM, […]
