Miss Mina Murray

Dear Constant Reader,

I hope you are having a wonderful Halloween!

Photo by La Photographie Boudoir

I was too busy this year to record a Halloween story for the general public, but you can enjoy previous years’ stories like The Cats of Ulthar, The Winding Sheet, and Lily and the Great Vampire Hunt. However, I have a fresh new story (well, an old, public-domain story) for my Patrons.

If you join my Patreon at any level, you’ll have access to the entire trove of stories! And to further entice…

Dear Constant Reader,

It’s the Friday before Halloween! I hope you’ve been having a wonderful time and tomorrow is amazingly creepy!

Here’s your tip!

Look for post-Halloween deals on November 1st.

In the past, the day after Halloween has been a great time to stock up on cheap make-up, costume bits, and decor (not to mention candy), as stores try to clear their shelves to bring in the Christmas stuff. However, these days stores are marking down Halloween items midway through October and…

Dear Constant Reader,

Recently I found two lengths of blue linen in my stash that I bought for some project, lost to the mists of time, but I suspect neither color was exactly right for what I wanted. I put it to my Advisory Committee ($5+ Patrons) to pick which color I should use first.

They chose Moroccan Blue

Next I selected six patterns that took 3 yards of fabric (that being all I had in that color) or less and let them vote on that. And the winner was

I’ll be making either view A or B —…

Dear Constant Reader,

I’ve been writing a bunch of different missives here and then I look up and it’s Friday again and I have sent you nothing between tips. It’s been quite a busy October… Hopefully, I can get one of them completed soon. In the mean time, here is your tip.

If you are running a fundraiser, get a non-profit to be your fiscal sponsor.

So many of us are civic-minded and like to support organizations that do good by means of our arts. However, handling the money can sometimes be…

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! Here’s your tip!

If you’re using something with words on it in your act, make sure they can be read in the back of the house.

It would be a shame if your punchline was lost because the letters were too small or there wasn’t enough contrast between the printing and the background.

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 17 Patrons. I appreciate you all so much!

Dear Constant Reader,

Since she moved out west, Ava has been seeking shows a bit closer to her and thus has been a regular at KimBurly’s Tittie Tour. She, Devastasia, and Betty performed their ridiculous banana number there over the summer, but I had not joined them… yet.

When Ava told me Kim was looking for some additional performers for Halloween, I applied and was thrilled to be accepted. It turned out Betty and Devastasia were also performing. Ava was performing up in Gloucester at a…

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! Here’s your tip!

When creating a headdress, make sure it balances properly on your head at every stage of construction.

If it’s off-kilter or top-heavy, you can correct as you go instead of panicking at the end. And you have the fun of trying it on and making faces in the mirror.

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 17 Patrons. I appreciate you all so much!

Dear Constant Reader,

I was surpised and delighted to get a call from Ember Sky looking for a couple of performers to round out a show in Fitchburg (notable as the home of both a college and the kitten who would become Bartholomew A. Cat). She and her producing partner, Mistress Neon, were debuting a burlesque show at a bar-arcade. Betty, Scratch, and I headed west.

The venue is pretty fun. There was a small stage in the middle of the space, surrounded by video game machines. Our dressing room was…

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday!

If you know your dressing room is going to be a restroom, bring something to put on the floor.

I recommend a beach towel. Something you can put your gear and your feet on and you can throw in the wash when you get home.

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 17 Patrons. I appreciate you all so much!

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! I’m about to have a rather burlesque-filled weekend. I hope yours is lovely as well. Here’s your tip!

Write it down right away!

Ever get hit by a great idea for an act, a costume, &c and then a little while later you realize you’ve forgotten what it was? It happens to the best of us. Write it down when you think of it, whether that means scribbling a note on a napkin, texting yourself, recording a voice memo, &c. I cannot tell you how many Friday Tips have…