How you doing out there, Newsletter friends?

Yeah, me too...

I've been pondering how best to tackle the new year--what writing projects to focus on; where to place my energy--and I still don't know. You see, I'm a planner. I like to know not only what's happening, but what's going to happen. What might happen. In short, I'm bad at vibing and being chill.

​

But that's like, the only choice, huh? If the last decade plus has taught us anything, it's that you can't plan. Not for everything, at least. And you can't force the world to bend to your will. Believe me, I've tried. So I guess I'm planning on planning less.

Which is different than trying less--or not trying as hard. Because I will be doing both of those things. Whether it be screenplays, short fiction, film essays, poetry, or something else I've yet to discover, I will persist.

Because I don't know how not to.

So, while I figure out what the fuck I'm doing, enjoy this mini 2025 wrap-up!

Certified Forgotten Film Essays

I was lucky enough to work with the cats over at Certified Forgotten a bunch this year. I'm really proud of these pieces, so please give them a click.

Inspired by my Letterboxd review--"I Know What You Did Last Solstice"--I wrote about this fascinating 2008 horror movie directed by Daniel Myrick of Blair Witch Project fame. ​ ​ Read article ​

I'm in love with 2019's Shudder original Spiral. I think it speaks to our current moment, filled with both crushing bleakness and the blinding hope of possibility. Read article ​

Perhaps one of my favorite discoveries of the year, 2023's Livescreamers is a movie I'll be championing for a while. Read article

Since we're on the topic, Certified Forgotten is also your source for Molly Henery's Uterus Horror series.

This year alone she covered Oz Perkin's The Blackcoat's Daughter, Jennifer Reeder's Knives and Skin, and, much to my unexpected delight, the under-appreciated YA "classic" Beautiful Creatures.

Other Film Writing

I also started my own Medium blog this year which was mostly successful.

I'm really pleased with this Final Destination: Bloodlines piece in which I discuss cinematic Cassandras. ​ ​ ​ Read article ​

Also on the personal blog, I started a monthly roundup of my favorite found footage movies. Here's a link to my best of 2025 list. Read article ​

I'm cheating--this one's from late 2024. But it's another I'm deeply proud of. For NightTide Magazine I wrote about Invasion of the Body Snatchers, loss of humanity, and the power of love. Read article

Fiction Writing

I've poured most of my creativity into screenwriting this year, and thus I don't have much to share in this department.

But I did have a piece of short fiction in the inaugural issue of Salon Sinister! It's a weird girl love story about losing yourself. Literally. I'm grateful it finally found a home, and also grateful to be part of the Salon Sinister editorial team. Keep your eyes peeled for issue 2! ​ ​ FREE first issue ​

Podcasting

I guess I got real quiet in 2025 because the only podcast I appeared on was my own!

It's been 13 yearsish and we're still going strong! Check out The Feminine Critique wherever you get your podcasts and listen to Emily and I chat about movies! ​ ​ LISTEN ​

Here's to 2026, a year which will not be 2025. That's the only thing I can be sure of. Oh, and I'm going to start learning how to puppet. But that's for another newsletter.

Take care. Stay safe. And save what you love.