The Grand Arbiter and I have made a mission out of creating spaces filled with whimsy, laughter, and kindness. As much as we are not serious about most things, we are very serious about making opportunities and events that help all of us refill our hearts with laughter and joy. Times, however, are indeed harrowing … More 12 Books from Minnesota small press, indy bookstores, and authors
Sunday, February 15th, at 4:30 PM Pacific (Seattle) — 7:30 PM Eastern (Montreal) Join Bill Bodden and me for a lively book chat in February, featuring our book pick, Rust in the Root by Justina Ireland. We have enjoyed several books from Ms. Ireland in the past, and I am delighted to return to her … More February Book Chat
Saturday, January 24th, at 10 AM Pacific (Seattle) I am thrilled to welcome back C.L. Polk as my very special guest tomorrow morning. I’ve invited Polk to come Sip the Tea with me and discuss their life as an artist, their process as an author, and the ways in which the navigate sustaining a creative … More Sip the Tea with C.L. Polk
Sunday, January 18th, at 4:30 PM Pacific Our first book club of 2026 is this weekend! I am thrilled that we are starting off with such a charming steampunk adventure and cannot wait to chat about Esprit de Corpse by Ef Deal with all of you. The author is joining us as our guest so … More January Book Chat: Join us in our Virtual Tea Parlour
As the golden rays of dawn pierce 2026 so too do the first nominations for the Tippy Golden Teacup Awards emerge! Your contributions, nominations, and votes will help us in celebrating our CommuniTea! Please take your time, but know that nominations end February 9th, 2026. (The Monday after CONpossible!) Bibliomancy Award – Vote for the … More Nominations and Voting Are Open for the 4th Annual Tippy Golden Teacup Awards!
January 18th at 4:30 PM Pacific (Seattle) The beginning of the year means we return to our convivial monthly book chat, hosted by me and my dear comrade in bookish nonsense, Bill Bodden. I am thrilled to share this month’s book pick, Esprit de Corpse by Ef Deal. This rollicking steampunk mystery is a wonderful … More January Book Chat
The last year has been filled with adventures from the wild to the sublime. We started our year of travels with the wonderful folk at CONpossible in February and found our way home to Wild West Con in March. We survived calamity there with all of that wonderful, stalwart community, and continued onward with a … More January Tea and Tomfoolery
Originally posted to our Patreon My favourite gift giving tradition of the year is almost upon us. Jólabókaflóð, Iceland’s book giving tradition during the winter holidays, is a delightful custom I have happily embraced over the last 5 years. The gift of story is, I think, a true treasure, but this is also the gift … More 16 Book Recs for Jólabókaflóð
The 2026 Reading List Originally posted to our Patreon After gathering recommendations, hunting through our own lists, and debating, genteelly over cups of tea, Bill Bodden, our Official Buttery Goodness, and I are ready to share our reading list for 2026. And oh my! I am, as always, terribly excited for this year’s list. Our … More Temporal Textual Talks: A Steampunk Book Chat
Sunday, November 16th, at 4:30 PM Pacific (Seattle) The time has arrived! Today we welcome our special guest, Gail Carriger, for our monthly book chat in our virtual tea parlour. We’re discussing Etiquette and Espionage, her brilliant start to the Finishing School Series. Please join us there or follow along on YouTube. Simply follow the … More Our Virtual Tea Parlour on Zoom
Madame Askew and The Grand Arbiter 