2025 Memories

Let me sign your yearbook: A review for "A Dread Tide Rising", plus a list of stories, poetry, essays, and music that moved me this year.

Hello, wonderful writers and readers.

What a year! Thank you all for the joy, laughter, support, and friendship we shared. I joined Substack in March and, after a rough start, found my footing in the fiction community. I’ve had more fun than not, and this year flew by because of it. You all are the best, and I’ve never felt more understood and accepted anywhere else. I am excited for what awaits us all in 2026.

Thank you to everyone who participated and shared The Gheeldyn event that Hylia Corvidae and I put together. It was the BEST DAY on Substack for me. We did something amazing that day and I can’t wait for an equally fun event next year.

My next favorite moment was sharing the Dragotaurz artwork you all put together in the finale of the series. That little moment of nerding out together still makes my heart happy.

AND thank you to the little group of people across countries who are consistently there to offer support and ideas and collaboration and many laughs when I’m having one of my anxious moments.

I wanted to do my own appreciation post for some of my favorite moments/posts of 2025. Of course, I can’t include every writer, or every giggle/cackle/chortle/chuckle, or ugly cry I experienced while interacting with you and your work, but I hope you get the picture.

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I borrowed the image from Walt’s publication, thank you!

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At the top of my list is a review for A Dread Tide Rising by Walt Shuler

A Dread Tide Rising is described by the author as “a serialized, pulp-flavored, epic fantasy novel that follows the Talon, a group of mercenaries, thieves, and smugglers, as they come face-to-face with an ancient enemy intent on the destruction of the Rakkian Empire.”

When I started reading via the chapters posted on Substack, I wasn’t entirely familiar with Walt’s writing. I knew I liked it and immediately became a supporter after reading his historical fiction, but I did not know what to expect with this particular story. (I appreciate the author’s patience with me as I reacted in real-time to encountering the first very dark scene in the book.)

What I look for when reading in longer format (books) is a steady pace free of friction, with concise, but descriptive, wording, and a plot that leads me when it’s necessary and lets me fill in the gaps other times, so that I become part of the story. Check.

Add in beautiful, poetic descriptions of scenery, deep connections between characters, fantastic fight scenes that read like smooth dances, humor, and some body horror, and you have ADTR.

The story begins right in the middle of the action and doesn’t stop or slow down, but that’s alright, because you are running right there with all the members of the Talon who are already your favorite. This story feels high-contrast, chewy (in a good way), and very fun.

Balancing camaraderie and tenderness with danger, suspense, and horror, all while building a whole new world with its own political system, gods, and landscape seems to come so easily to Walt.

The first time I interacted with Walt, we were discussing how inaccessible fantasy novels and worlds can be to the rest of the population. I was delighted to find his book was so welcoming to me, since it features characters from different races and even a queer character or two.

If you’re wondering, my favorite character is Kye. Forever Kye.

I don’t really want to like Hax, but I do.

Mac is the leader who is also sometimes a knucklehead, but I do love an imperfect hero.

A Dread Tide Rising is a rip-roaring good time, and it is written by a genuinely awesome community member and friend. Available in print or ebook, check it out, or read a few chapters on his publication, Blackspire.

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And now on to THE LONG LIST, in no particular order:

1. The story that I almost couldn’t finish reading because I was laughing too much Jay Wilcox

2. The most creative use of storytelling on Substack. Thank you for letting me play and experience Dewayne Hollow and for your support 🤍Saint-Lazare

3. Thank you for my menace badge. I think about this one almost every night imarkanx || istvan markan 🍁

4. I live for all the wonderful nuggets of truth this writer leaves in Notes, but I am also haunted by this story Aurora, Babylon The Great

5. The story that got under my skin, twice, nearly made me pass out, and changed my life forever, by the horror queen of my heart Hylia Corvidae

6. I absolutely went nuts over this because I hear guitars wailing every time I read it. Thank you for all the magic you bring to everything! Love you! Aoife Casey

7. The post that made me ugly cry (the most). Thanks for making Substack a better place Alex Jenkin

8. The sweetest moment in a story that inspired me to cut my hair short and wear it curly Rosie B

9. Nastiest, funniest serial I’ve read that also made me clean my house the next day Stephen Duffy (purchase his book, Fragile Steps here)

10. Best tactical move in a battle (no spoilers, but it’s an attack from above) Tom Schecter (purchase the book here)

11. The serial that has it all (love, loss, motorcycles, guns, ghosts, friends, humor, gangs, coffee, evil plots), plus original artwork and music. I did not expect to get so emotional over this story. Thank you. Jan Herrington

12. The absolute best story about friendship AND the best new word invented.¹ Thanks for being so silly with me. Crossovers forever! Ed the Cozy Editor

13. The story that was like a symphony of body horror Mac Sitko (Also thank you for joining in on The Cog and making my super weird dreams come true.)

14. The post that I read because it was about having sex with a house and then I fangirled Roo until we were friends Roo Gratz

15. The poem that began a whole sea monster series/bible interpretation that I couldn’t get enough of, and lots of mind worms Samara

16. The first story that haunted me and still does and I miss Kayla Button Kayla Button

17. A short story I wanted to live in forever Gaby Brogan

18. A snowy tale that broke my heart twice Andy Edge

19. How does he make the disturbing so hilarious? (also incredible narration and singing voice) Anthony Michael Malec

20. The first serial I became absolutely feral for and my intro to queer writing on Substack AD Powers

21. The poem that demanded I befriend the writer, in the hopes that we could intellectually crush on each other Bea

22. You all know I love FEVERCHAIN but this is the one that sealed the deal for me. You once proposed over Notes but I’m glad we were able to turn it into a lasting friendship instead MA Knight

23. My first Substack DM and we are still going strong. Charisma, dark humor, brilliance, playlists <3 B. Taylor

24. Missing people and places and times, like looking at an old polaroid of that one summer night before we all left town c.g. rae

25. The one that changed the Substack experience for me sofi <3

26. Magic and seduction in the kitchen, looking forward to catching up on more Damien Reuel Rucker

27. I had this saved to read for so long, but when I did get lost in this world, it left me breathless and even more in awe of Morgan A.Drake

28. Another kindred spirit whose writing I will always read Tiny Dancer

29. I hope to see more from this writer but until then, get caught up on Evvy Joshua Kay

30. Every time I read something from Bri, it just so happens to be the message I needed RIGHT THEN Bri Stokes

31. Another crush of mine and if you want to get lost in a hilarious tale about law firms and competition and silver fox daddies, read this Birdie Falling

32. I think about this every time I remember my spider friend in the garage (<3 you) Sapna

33. I read this series in one night and then had nightmares and then I was inspired to do the Gheeldyn project Ghost Horses Writing

34. 100% my favorite gays written by a great friend! 🤍 ✨🖤morningstar🖤✨

35. When I stumbled upon this, I felt like I’d found a treasure I could hoard all to myself, but I will share it with you! Graeme Brandham

36. I’ve raved about this story a couple times, but it’s what made me subscribe to Didrik and I encourage you to give it a read

37. I read this after we lost our own mean little dog and even though I was sad I had a good, long laugh Jared Michael

38. When you read something that puts into words an exact feeling you couldn’t quite communicate Colin Lake

39. A very comforting piece of writing, even if that is a bit odd Zachary Dillon (purchase his book here)

40. Ursula gave us another useful term² that works so well for Substack and also this whimsical, dark tale Ursula Petit

41. I treasure this writer and his kindness and empathy and adventure stories Jamie's Grim Tabulations

42. More more more of Justin’s writing, please! The Gay Void

43. Someone I see experimenting with style and format often and I love it LaTonia Pearl Harris

44. I remember this post making me feel like I belonged here Lee Summers

45. I read this poem and then promptly devoured the rest of this writer’s publication Michael Barron

46. I scared this writer with Polly Pockets and teeth, but it turns out, he’s a little scary too! Mind of Matt

47. The first serial I fell in love with on Substack and my first experience embarrassing myself by fangirling a little too hard Molly

48. This writer gave me the courage to pursue writing erotica MrsGreen

49. I couldn’t believe I’d stumbled upon SUCH a treasure trove of storytelling hey daisy

50. Remember when we traded stories? And now we’re friends :) Nick Buchheit

51. We used to write poems in Notes! We should again. This is still my favorite of yours Offscreenshaman

52. We’ve connected through your stories of trauma and family, and I have deeply appreciated it Oink if you're Oinky

53. There were many days this year that this writer’s words were everything I needed Sarlos Cantana (purchase his books here)

54. I couldn’t get this out of my head for weeks. I appreciate you showing up for me L Binnie 🩸

55. The first story on Substack that I flipped tf out over. You are a light in this community and such an inspiration to me. Everyone needs this writer on their list! Delise Fantome

56. I read this and I knew I wouldn’t stop until we were friends and look at us now! Definitely besties! Nav Rao

57. Inspired from day one by this writer to dig deeper and share the darkness Edward.Marlo.Ruiz

58. I supremely enjoy all this writer contributes to the community Caroline Osella (they/them)

59. One of my first subscriptions and always a pleasure to read Cody Stetzel 🐻

60. I beta read this writer’s book in one sitting. I love it all Saturnine Bile

61. This writer can do it all and also inspires me to take up space here! Solace Solnova

62. I know I can count on this writer to never look away Ethan H.

63. I did a happy dance when this writer subscribed back to me Adriane Lord

64. You inspired The Cog, and we have you to thank for all the fun we’ve been having! Mike Duffy

65. So many laughs and so much support. Thank you Strung Out on Plenitudes (purchase his book here)

66. Always a treat to get lost in the visions of this writer J.M.S. Tanjim

67. This writer knows I am absolutely feral for the passion and darkness in their poetry wild honeysuckle

68. I went way back, and this one is my favorite so far. I will read them all. Thanks for the laughs and support this year! I owe you a book Buzz Kantwrite

69. Just do it! Incredibly inspirational and supportive. Always love to see you around Writer Vivian Nagy

70. I’m still not done laughing about this Gregory Blair

    Have a happy New Year

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cover image via unsplash

1. “platonigasm”

2. “salty cracker”