I really didn’t go Trick-or-Treating much as a kid in the traditional sense. That’s because the razor blade apple rumor had already hit my community. So instead, I got to Trick-or-Treat at my relatives’ houses.
I have memories of getting to pass out candy at my aunt’s house every year. But as the years went by, the Trick-or-Treaters were trickling in slower, until maybe one or two came by every year. In my own house, I have only had one come each year. I end up using the candy to give out at school as rewards for the students.
Growing up Baptist, I was probably one of the guinea pigs for the launch of “Trunk-or-Treat.” If you’re unfamiliar with the concept, people gather in a parking lot (typically a church one) and pop open their trunks. They decorate them with fall and Halloween-lite decorations. Think scarecrows, pumpkins, and other decor you would find at Hobby Lobby and not Spirit Halloween.
When I was in 5th grade, I got into an argument with my mother about a costume I wanted to wear to Trunk-Or-Treat: a bedazzled devil costume. Mom explained to me in every way possible why this was a terrible idea. I still didn’t get it. I just knew it was shiny and I looked cool. Eventually, I settled on being a spider countess from Party City, but I’m certain I told every attendee there what my true costume was supposed to be.
Now that I can’t haunt the local churches or neighborhoods for candy, I try to find something fun for me to do. I am keeping an eye out for Halloween parties and local events…besides my own. I’ll be hosting several sessions at Quarry (no costume required, but it would be cooler if you did). See them below along with other news.
Upcoming Classes and Events
Take a class or come see me at an event! Here’s what’s happening…
Richmond Zine Fest
FREE – October 11th, 2025. 10am to 4:30pm. Come out and see me at my table and see the events and workshops happening the day before! It is completely free to attend, but bring cash if you’d like to purchase goods from the vendors in attendance.
Quarry Workshops
Quarry Workshops (In-Person)
In the Richmond, Virginia area? Keep an eye out on the Quarry website for my craftier offerings! Each class is $15 each. If you plan on attending multiple Quarry events, get a membership! Here’s what I’m offering in October…
October 4th, 4pm to 5:30pm – Astrology + the Arts – Libra: We’ll be learning all about the zodiac sign Libra, its archetypes and symbolism, and making a zen garden.
October 11th, 6pm to 7:30pm – Make a Spooky Terrarium: You’ve heard of regular terrariums. But those don’t have ghosts in them. Let’s make some that do. All supplies provided.
October 19th, 12:30pm to 2pm – Make Kid-Friendly, Spooky Zines: Want something else other than candy to pass out during Halloween? Or do you just really want to make a ghost zine? Come on out to this workshop where we’ll explore different zine types and get to make our own little spooky zines.
October 24th, 6pm to 7:30pm – Decorate Your Own Trick-Or-Treat Bag (KID FRIENDLY!): Haul your candy in style! We’ll be making our own canvas bags you can bring on your spooky adventures. Kids 5+ are able to join to stamp and draw with fabric paints on their bags.
Oracle Card Writing Class w/ Quail Bell
October 25th, 2025. 10am to 12pm. Tarot and oracle cards can inspire and guide our intuition and creativity. Whether you’re looking for a new way to journal your experiences and feelings, or just need a new approach to writing your next novel, there are SO many ways to use the cards to inspire your next project.
Join Quail Bell’s executive editor Gretchen Gales and learn new ways to generate writing of any genre with basic spreads and writing exercises you can use again and again. For writers and tarot/oracle lovers of any experience level!
Featured Poem: Fade Out
I have such a hard time not focusing on the next poem I “should” be publishing or the next piece of writing I “should” be doing that I forget to appreciate old work. This poem will soon be republished in The Cognitive Review for their Grief Issue, so I wanted to reshare it from the original publisher. It is currently part of a collection of poems I haven’t sent out yet as a manuscript, but I hope to refine it soon and find a proper home for it.
Anyhow, here’s “Fade Out” as it appears in Cathexis Northwest Press with my recording.
Featured Blog Post: Books About OCD Written by Authors with OCD
I’m honestly not sure why now everyone has discovered this post (thank you, SEO, I guess?), but this is the first in a series I hope I complete sooner than later. I want to include anxiety, bipolar disorder, BPD, depression, and other lists people can access. Each list will include fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Read the first on OCD below.
Gretchen Gales 