When your Veteran friends leave a book review on your timeline:
"Willy Martinez takes a break from eating crayons and licking windows to deliver us this masterpiece. Folklore and flesh is a fantastic collection of stories with fresh, new ideas while incorporating elements of ancient lore we've all heard and love. It's a must read for anyone who likes supernatural topics. Well done [sic]." Title: Not bad for a Jarhead
— Scott Schluter, Mind on Fire Subscriber
Want to keep the ritual going? Follow us on and for more flash drops, behind-the-scenes peeks, and dark literary sparks.
I'm thrilled to welcome you to one of my favorite times of the year—the season of glowing lights, shared traditions, and stories that linger long after the snow melts. At Mind on Fire Books, I've been reflecting on how winter folklore and poetry shape the way we see this season—not as something dark and dreadful, but as deeply human, full of mystery and meaning.
This month, I'm diving into the rhetorical power of classic holiday poetry, exploring the fascinating legends behind festive creatures, and even asking what happens when that cheerful little elf on the shelf takes its job a bit too seriously.
Thank you for joining me on this journey. Let's celebrate the season with curiosity, creativity, and just a hint of wonder.
Unpacking Christmas Poetry
The holiday season is beautiful. We decided to shatter the veneer of cheer with two articles that reveal the holiday's grim heart. Unpacking Christmas Poetry
Forget Krampus: Meet 8 Legendary Monsters of Christmas
Krampus is the poster child for Christmas horror, but there's a whole family of festive fiends out there. The customs of the holiday season often incorporate earlier pagan traditions. From Frau Perchta (who may replace your organs with garbage if you're bad) to the Icelandic Yule Cat (who might eat you if you don't get new clothes), we've gathered the most terrifying entities across global folklore. Be good, or be eaten!
We love a tradition, but we prefer ours to be inappropriate. Back by popular demand, we're asking for your vote in the only holiday contest that matters:
When your Veteran friends leave a book review on your timeline:
"Willy Martinez takes a break from eating crayons and licking windows to deliver us this masterpiece. Folklore and flesh is a fantastic collection of stories with fresh, new ideas while incorporating elements of ancient lore we've all heard and love. It's a must read for anyone who likes supernatural topics. Well done [sic]." Title: Not bad for a Jarhead
— Scott Schluter, Mind on Fire Subscriber
Want to keep the ritual going? Follow us on and for more flash drops, behind-the-scenes peeks, and dark literary sparks.
