S E Wigget

Chapter 28 of my paranormal 👻 & q***r 🌈gothic novel, HAUNTINGS OF CLAVERTON CASTLE:

Margot has temporarily left, and the ghosts boldly demand more attention from Samantha.

https://whimsicalwords.substack.com/p/hauntings-of-claverton-castle-chapter-24a

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Hauntings of Claverton Castle, Chapter 28 Welcome back to my spooky gothic novel.

Today's Whimsical Words (Substack) post includes a short story, free to all subscribers.

Chapter 27 of my paranormal 👻 & q***r 🌈gothic novel, HAUNTINGS OF CLAVERTON CASTLE:

Samantha's plans for her future are a far cry from what Harriet and Mr. Prendregast want for her.

https://whimsicalwords.substack.com/p/hauntings-of-claverton-castle-chapter-4c9

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Chapter 26 of my paranormal 👻 & q***r 🌈gothic novel, HAUNTINGS OF CLAVERTON CASTLE:

Margot and Roland reluctantly depart from Claverton Castle--to banish a demon elsewhere. But they'll soon return. Samantha's thoughts linger on Margot.

https://whimsicalwords.substack.com/p/hauntings-of-claverton-castle-chapter-ea7

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Chapter 25 of my q***r & paranormal gothic novel, HAUNTINGS OF CLAVERTON CASTLE:

Margot and Roland sense many ghosts at Claverton Castle.

https://whimsicalwords.substack.com/p/hauntings-of-claverton-castle-chapter-02d

👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻

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This dollhouse room isn't Regency--it's part of my circa 1910 dollhouse--but I just used museum wax to put up the pictures and felt like sharing.

Chapter 24 of my q***r and paranormal gothic novel, HAUNTINGS OF CLAVERTON CASTLE, is now on my Substack, Whimsical Words.

The Marquis of Uppington antagonizes Samantha at the ball. When she espies Margot across the room, her mood improves.

https://whimsicalwords.substack.com/p/hauntings-of-claverton-castle-chapter-6c2

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Chapter 23 of my q***r 🌈 & paranormal 👻 gothic novel, HAUNTINGS OF CLAVERTON CASTLE, is on my Substack, Whimsical Words:

Though Mr. Prendregast clearly indicated that the purpose of this ball was for Samantha, and possibly Harriet, to meet their future husbands, Samantha would prefer the company of old friends, [...] such as Margot. Especially Margot.

https://whimsicalwords.substack.com/p/hauntings-of-claverton-castle-chapter-317

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Hauntings of Claverton Castle, Chapter 23 Samantha attends a ball at Claverton Castle.

Happy Pride Month!🌈

My story "Theater Patron" is part of Kaleidoscope--A Q***r Anthology. Proceeds go to the Trevor Project.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09ZHPBPWP/?ref_=d6k_applink_bb_dls&dplnkId=58deb484-7ee6-4044-84ec-04bb867ea622

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Kaleidoscope A Q***r Anthology: 2022 Edition A collection of stories from voices all over, Kaleidescope, brings you through adventures, romances, nightmares, and more. Pride isn't a deadly sin when it's found in the hearts of those striving to live and prosper in a world that demonizes you, and in the world's of these authors, sometimes tha...

Chapter 22 of my q***r 🌈 and paranormal 👻 gothic novel, HAUNTINGS OF CLAVERTON CASTLE:

Samantha's childhood friends Margot and Roland have grown into renowned Sensitives who put the ghosts of grandparents to rest.

Visit my Substack, Whimsical Words.

https://whimsicalwords.substack.com/p/hauntings-of-claverton-castle-chapter-22f

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Chapter 21 of my q***r 🌈 & paranormal 👻 gothic novel, HAUNTINGS OF CLAVERTON CASTLE: The Prendregast family & Samantha have exciting--and highly psychic--guests! Just who they need for communicating with ghosts....

https://whimsicalwords.substack.com/p/hauntings-of-claverton-castle-chapter-27d

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Hauntings of Claverton Castle, Chapter 21 The Prendregast family and Samantha have exciting guests!

6/6/24: From an Our Q***rest Shelves email:

In 2022, I wrote about the emergence of “Hide the Pride.” Started by a Catholic advocacy group, this “movement” encourages people to petition the library to remove LGBTQ books from the collection and to check out all the LGBTQ books on Pride displays, especially children’s books, to keep them out of circulation. Many people go a step further, either hiding q***r books within the library, refusing to return the borrowed books, or simply stealing them.

We’re now in the third year of “Hide the Pride,” and libraries are still reporting this behavior. Book bans on LGBTQ books have been on the rise for years, and this is another censorship attempt. I’m not going to spend any time arguing why LGBTQ books should be in the library — it should be a given that q***r people belong in public libraries, and that q***r families and kids should have representation of themselves in the materials.

In some ways, “Hide the Pride” can backfire: missing books may be bought again, boosting sales of q***r books and keeping the same titles in circulation. The increased check out numbers could even be used to show there’s demand for LGBTQ books, which means ordering more of them.

Chapter 20 of HAUNTINGS OF CLAVERTON CASTLE: As Samantha suspected, Mr. Prendregast doesn't believe in ghosts and isn't open-minded about the topic. 🌈👻

https://whimsicalwords.substack.com/p/hauntings-of-claverton-castle-chapter-a22

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Hauntings of Claverton Castle, Chapter 20 Samantha hopes her childhood friends, Margot and Roland, will call upon Claverton Castle to talk to the ghosts.

Chapter 19 of my q***r 🌈 and paranormal 👻 gothic novel, HAUNTINGS OF CLAVERTON CASTLE:

Samantha believes a ghost has been closing her bed curtains every night. Meanwhile, she doesn't wish to offend her hosts by talking about disturbing information a ghost disclosed.

https://whimsicalwords.substack.com/p/hauntings-of-claverton-castle-chapter-eae

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New favorite meme :

Chapter 18 of my supernatural and q***r gothic novel, HAUNTINGS OF CLAVERTON CASTLE:

The ghosts of children whisper at Samantha and follow her. They yearn for her attention.

https://whimsicalwords.substack.com/p/hauntings-of-claverton-castle-chapter-2f9

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I woke from a nap & lay meditating... and my phone is full of notifications that the toilet demon has been charged guilty. I'm all for abolition, but... not for him.

Chapter 17 of HAUNTINGS OF CLAVERTON CASTLE: Samantha just defended Harriet against the stern Mr. Prendregast (Harriet's father). Social awkwardness ensues.

https://whimsicalwords.substack.com/p/hauntings-of-claverton-castle-chapter-3ad

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Oh how I relate.

When I was younger, I was shamed for everything. I was told I was dramatic, too sensitive , obnoxious, loud, weird, and plenty of other “negative” things. I use to look in the mirror and hate what I saw. There were a million things I wanted to change, but as I got older I realized that I never really wanted to change anything. I didn’t hate myself, I hated the person they were forcing me to be. I hated constantly being shamed for who I was and made fun of for the characteristics I proudly wore. I’m not dramatic, I’m passionate. I’m not too sensitive, I just don’t avoid my feelings. I’m not obnoxious, the people around me just weren’t interested in what I was. I’m not loud, they just didn’t like what I was saying. I am weird, but that’s a badge I wear proudly because it proves I’ve never conformed, despite the abuse I endured because of it. When we change the way we view what people say about us and discredit those statements, it changes the way we view ourselves. We can break free from the insecurities that were created by other people. We can define ourselves. We can change the way the world tries to force those who don’t fit the mold to betray themselves. Instead of changing who we are to fit in and avoid rejection, we can change who we are around, and instead have people in our lives who are accepting of us and don’t try to shame us for who we are and we can also build a better future for those of us that aren’t “normal”.

I am proud of the woman I see in the mirror now. She is bold. She is beautiful. She is fierce. She is smart. She is ambitious. She is authentic. She has been through hell, but despite it all she is still herself. She is me.

(This is a repost of a piece I wrote awhile back that a few people encouraged me to repost.)

Chapter 15 my supernatural and q***r gothic novel, Hauntings of Claverton Castle: Mr. Prendregast is unimpressed with both his children but impressed with his ancestors.

https://whimsicalwords.substack.com/p/hauntings-of-claverton-castle-chapter-0b6

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Chapter 14: Harriet gives Samantha a tour of Claverton Castle, a 14th century manor house.

https://whimsicalwords.substack.com/p/hauntings-of-claverton-castle-chapter-e38

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Chapter 13 of Hauntings of Claverton Castle: Samantha awakes from a disturbing and humiliating dream.

https://whimsicalwords.substack.com/p/hauntings-of-claverton-castle-chapter-206

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Chapter 12 of Hauntings of Claverton Castle: The mirror in Samantha's dressing room is haunted. She stares back at the ghost.

https://whimsicalwords.substack.com/p/hauntings-of-claverton-castle-chapter-cde

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Chapter 11 of my supernatural & q***r gothic novel, HAUNTINGS OF CLAVERTON CASTLE: Samantha entertains the family by playing the piano. Ghosts follow Samantha to her bedroom.

https://whimsicalwords.substack.com/p/hauntings-of-claverton-castle-chapter-0c9

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Grief.

When I was fresh out of college, I thought, "I'm a contemporary author, so I should read contemporary authors--not just 19th and early 20th century authors."

So I started reading Alice Munro. She was one of the few literary authors I really appreciated. I eventually decided I prefer fantasy & horror to literary fiction in general, but Alice Munro is an exception. She was brilliant.

Alice Munro, Nobel Laureate and Master of the Short Story, Dies at 92 Her stories were widely considered to be without equal, a mixture of ordinary people and extraordinary themes.

HAUNTINGS OF CLAVERTON CASTLE is a supernatural & q***r gothic novel in a slightly different Regency England. Samantha Ponsonby runs away from her abusive uncle to stay with her friend Harriet... whose ancestral ghosts attempt to communicate with Samantha. Her ability to see ghosts blossoms, as does her love for her ghost-hunting friend, Margot.

Chapter 10: Samantha watches shifting shadows. These are no ordinary shadows.

https://whimsicalwords.substack.com/p/hauntings-of-claverton-castle-chapter-4b4

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Today marks Daphne du Maurier's birthday and what better way to celebrate than discovering more of her extraordinary writing?

Whether you want to lose yourself in the shadows of an unreliable narrator, fall for a defiant heroine or be haunted by an apocalyptic vision of nature – there’s a du Maurier for everyone.

Find out where to start with Daphne du Maurier: https://brnw.ch/21wJIiv

Chapter 9: Mr. Prendregast wants to find a husband for Samantha, who most emphatically is not interested. Reginald Prendregast takes any opportunity to use Shakespearean insults.

https://whimsicalwords.substack.com/p/hauntings-of-claverton-castle-chapter-33e

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🦝🦊🐭🐸🦉

It’s the Oregon Country Fair 2024 poster reveal! 👁️ We’re honored to have local artist Emily Poole grace the official Fair poster with her wild n’ wonderful portrayal of how we gather together in this precious wooded setting.

Emily’s concept for the 2024 poster is the culmination of the theme of her trio of poster designs from 2022-2024. The Fair has come out of its year of hibernation, the many hands of volunteers and staff have come together to build the event, and all that’s left now is to attend the party! The reclining fox in the shady tree canopy above the loud and dusty parade on the path represents the dual sides of the Fair, where some come for rest and relaxation and some come for high excitement. There is also a focus on the more urban wildlife that exists on the Fair site, centering species like foxes, coyotes, and raccoons that are associated a bit more with revels and mischief.

We invite you to join us for an unforgettable adventure - grab your discounted early bird tickets: https://www.oregoncountryfair.org/tickets/

Chapter 8: Samantha awakes from a nightmare at Claverton Castle. She will soon meet Mr. Prendregast, Harriet's father--and hopefully that won't be a nightmare.

https://whimsicalwords.substack.com/p/hauntings-of-claverton-castle-chapter-791

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Chapter 7: A healer mends Samantha's physical wounds. As for her emotional wounds... well.

https://whimsicalwords.substack.com/p/hauntings-of-claverton-castle-chapter-682

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_Witch's Familiar_ features a sardonic talking cat and a cross-dressing witch:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0CVQTPYSS/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?ie=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RLNwSdHPeQYu60qjwq3HTdKxOBgeuLlq9orC-HB06SdGd4XLPgTM421vT60rU97aHTnsQy4JYSaCuk4ITDi6EStFVttN_0xcmykxOxqOMpSkmsgr89QcIiRkmhS22Y5T6E0GYOxe8QhE3ZHf7-u521nAj3E6MW8a3Bg2RGAJeAlGU5pbC5o7kX99pnfTEfTJH1spCVTN0bhsLtr-1qxieg.TfN2guve_ek1wf6pELw9OhVqNSjsEjTGQQ0pHOgOWas&qid=1709298126&sr=8-1

Witch's Familiar: & Whimsical Stories It’s London in the 1820s, and Judith the milliner’s apprentice will plunge into poverty and become an orphan if she doesn’t save her mother’s life from consumption. When a talking cat—a witch’s familiar—appears, Judith bargains with the cat. A sorcerer cursed the familiar and her witch...