Storycomic Weekly Newsletter: September 20th
ALWAYS POSTED A WEEK EARLIER ON PATREON
Podcast Update: Vermont Artists and Authors
After taking a short break in my recording schedule, I’m back at work updating the Vermont Artists and Authors podcast. It feels good to roll up my sleeves and dive back into the conversations that make this show what it is.
The pause gave me a chance to step back and think about how important this series has become — not just for me, but for the writers, illustrators, and creators who call Vermont home. Every episode is a reminder that our corner of the world is filled with voices worth hearing, stories worth sharing, and creative sparks that deserve a wider audience.
Right now, I’m lining up new guests and shaping fresh episodes for the upcoming season. If you’ve missed hearing from our community of artists and authors, stay tuned — there’s a lot to look forward to.
Project Update: Appliance
Much of my recent work on Appliance has been centered on the background setting, especially answering the big question at the heart of the game: how do inanimate objects gain sentience?
When I first sketched the concept, the idea of playing as an object was fun on its own — a lamp with ambitions, a pocketknife with grudges, a chair with secrets. But the more I develop it, the more I realize the game needs a strong foundation that explains why these objects awaken in the first place. That lore gives players something to connect with, a reason behind the strange magic that lets an object think, feel, and act.
I’ve been exploring different paths: some rooted in myth, where the energy of belief or memory sparks life; others more philosophical, where objects absorb the echoes of the people and places they’ve served. I’m also refining how this awakening changes the way objects see the world — their perspective isn’t human, and their truths shouldn’t be either. A hammer, after all, carries a history of every strike; a teacup remembers every hand that’s lifted it.
It’s slow work, but it’s also the part that excites me most. Building this background isn’t just filling in details — it’s creating the invisible current that powers the whole game. Once it’s solid, players will have a framework to dive into, and the setting will feel less like a gimmick and more like a living, breathing world (even if it’s made of things that usually don’t breathe at all).
Book Review: The Golden Hour by Carrie Brownell
Carrie Brownell’s The Golden Hour is a heartwarming and beautifully crafted story, one that feels both timeless and gently new. It invites young readers (and those young at heart) into a magical moment tucked into an ancient hall, where carved angels hide a secret light and an ordinary Christmas becomes extraordinary.
What I appreciate most:
Atmospheric magic: Brownell weaves atmosphere and tradition together. Westminster Hall, the angels, the hush of Christmas—all of it feels real enough to touch, yet magical enough to wonder.
Quiet wonder and growth: Benedict’s journey—stepping beyond the walls, meeting someone unexpected, and seeing how that encounter changes him—reminds us that even small acts of courage or kindness can shift everything.
Beautiful illustrations & style: The book is paired with illustrations by Hannah Hill, which add softness and elegance. The narrative doesn’t rush; it takes the time to let readers notice the glow of a moment, and that pace feels just right for the themes. Google Books+1
Age-friendly appeal: While written for children (middle-grade-ish), there’s enough depth in the imagery, the themes of duty, discovery, and change, to offer adult readers something to hold onto. It’s a book one would want to read at Christmas, to share, and then return to in quiet moments.
If I were picking up a copy to give as a gift, The Golden Hour would be high on the list. It’s a story that reminds us how magic can live in corners we don’t often explore, if we only let ourselves step past familiar boundaries for just one hour.
Personal Update: Turning Corners and Looking Ahead
This past week, I’ve started to feel like the paper might have finally turned a corner. More folks have been reaching out to place ads, and that’s no small thing when you consider we’re one of the last free, mailed papers in the area. It’s been six months since I took over, and in that time, the paper has grown by eight pages and gathered some encouraging feedback from readers. That kind of support tells me we’re on the right track, and it’s energizing to see the effort paying off.
Our racing broadcast season has officially wrapped up, and now our focus shifts to high school basketball coverage and putting together our seasonal greetings. Once that’s underway, we’ll turn our attention toward something big: planning for WYKR’s 50th birthday next year. That milestone has been on my mind for a while, and I’m excited to start shaping how we’ll celebrate.
On the home front, things have been just as busy, but in the best way. Sunday took us up to the Orleans County Fair, and the day before, I brought the kiddos to the Shelburne Museum for our annual visit. Both outings were full of the kind of small, memorable moments that make summer-to-fall weekends feel special. Between the work at the paper, the station, and home life, it’s been a full week — but a good one.
food break at the Orleans County Fair
enjoying the fall flower garden at the museum
dinner after a long day at the Shelburne Museum