I’ve always loved this time of year. There’s something about October that makes everything feel a little more magical. The air is cooler, there’s piles of crunchy leaves to trample, and the world is more open to spooky fun. For me, Halloween isn’t only about costumes and candy. It’s about sharing the things I love most with the people who matter to me.
One of my favorite traditions is hosting Owl Sage Board Game Club’s annual Magician Academy. Every year we offer an experience where kids and teens can step into the role of young magicians. There are wand-making crafts, spell-casting games, puzzles to solve, and plenty of collaborative storytelling. It’s joyfully chaotic in the best way.
At home, the season has its own special rhythm too. My son and I have made it a tradition to watch horror movies together. We love the cheesy monster flicks, the spooky ghost stories, and even the gory classics. We like learning about the lore behind the stories and talking about the fight between good and evil. It’s fun to watch how these stories are told, to pause and laugh at over-the-top effects, or get wrapped up in a clever twist.
I’ve also been carving out time to properly finish work on Braggart, my next novel that features Sutter Kincade’s origin. I’m still bitter about the Kindle Vella experience with releasing Lila’s novella. I was hoping for the two pieces to accompany each other. My goal was to release Braggart by Halloween, after giving fans a chance to appreciate Bondage in a serial format. I’ve since decided I’d rather take time to polish Sutter’s novel more than simply rush it out the door to meet a silly self-imposed deadline. I’ve smoothed out a few important scenes and added material that I hope my vampire fans will appreciate.
I do love writing and editing in the fall. There’s something easier about the process. But just as much as I enjoy creating these stories, I also want to give time to the new game club locations and family moments. Balancing all three is a challenge, but it’s the kind of challenge I’m grateful to have.
Here’s to a Halloween filled with good stories, great company, and plenty of magic.
Peter R. Talley 