✨📚 Hey! Hi! Hello!
It’s officially launch day, and in this very special episode, I'm going to pull back the curtain on what it really takes to go indie—from the chaos of last-minute uploads to the deep, career-shaping why behind choosing self-publishing in the first place.

Also, I'll share some of my top tips I've found for launch day survival, real-world advice from other indie authors crushing it on their own terms, and a whole lot of encouragement if you’re dreaming of doing this yourself one day.

So take a deep breath, crack your knuckles, and join me in the behind-the-scenes mess and magic of publishing a book your way.

🖤 You don’t need permission to create something powerful. You just need to hit publish.

💌 Links & Extras
Ready to read the book that launched this whole thing? Head to ⁠⁠⁠linktr.ee/chicklingchronicles⁠⁠⁠ for The Missing Reflection, social links, and more behind-the-scenes goodness.
💬 Got launch day vibes of your own? DM me on Instagram, tag me in your book stack photos, or drop a 🎉 emoji in your review so I know you were here for the big moment.

📚 Sources I Mentioned & Indie Authors to Follow
Jenna Moreci – AuthorTube & Self-Publishing Coach
Abbie Emmons – Author, Storyteller, & YouTube Educator
Sarra Cannon – Heart Breathings, HB90, & the Publish & Thrive Course
@AuthorIsabelleWoodward – Gothic Horror Writer
@WriteNiaWrite – Speculative Fiction Author
@TheRealKariJames – Contemporary Author & Launch Strategist
@MGBlackwood – Fantasy Author & Emotional Support Witch
@IndieBookHive – Indie Publishing Resource Page
@CleoWritesThrillers – Thriller Author & Kindle Top 100 Indie
@AuthorDaniHart – Romance/Fantasy Author & Launch Buddy Creator

🎧 Tools & Platforms Mentioned/Researched:

• Amazon KDP

• IngramSpark

• Linktree / Beacons / Notion

• Canva

• StoryOrigin / BookFunnel

• Goodreads

• Reedsy Marketplace

• Fiverr (for promo design & other assistance)

✨🩸 She didn’t just bite — she built a genre.
Hey! Hi! Hello!

In Part Two of our Anita Blake deep dive, we’re stepping out of the graveyard and into the bigger picture: the birth of urban fantasy as we know it. From vampires paying taxes to necromancers testifying in court, Laurell K. Hamilton rewrote the rules of what fantasy could be — and readers have been debating her choices ever since.

We’ll unravel the crime-procedural-to-erotica pivot that divided the fandom, trace how Anita’s legacy shaped authors from Jim Butcher to Patricia Briggs, and pull together a whole list of books, shows, and movies for when you need your next dark, witty, monster-filled fix. (Yes, including my own The Missing Reflection, because Anita made me the writer I am today.)

So lace up those combat boots, sharpen your sarcasm, and let’s talk about the guilty pleasures and necessary obsessions that built an entire genre.

💌 Links & Extras
Looking for more haunted delights? Head to ⁠⁠linktr.ee/chicklingchronicles⁠⁠ for The Missing Reflection, social links, and more.

💬 Got hot takes? DM me on Instagram, drop a 🩸 emoji in your review, or tag me in your favorite vampire boyfriend debates. I live for it!

📚 Sources I Used & Further Reading/Watching

• • Laurell K. Hamilton – Guilty Pleasures (1993)

  • Charles de Lint – Moonheart (1984)

  • Emma Bull – War for the Oaks (1987)

  • Charlaine Harris – The Sookie Stackhouse Series

  • Patricia Briggs – Mercy Thompson Series

  • Jim Butcher – The Dresden Files

  • Ilona Andrews – Kate Daniels Series

  • Kim Harrison – The Hollows

  • Hailey Edwards – The Beginner’s Guide to Necromancy

  • Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003, TV)

  • Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992, Film)

  • The Craft (1996)

  • The Craft: Legacy (2020)

  • True Blood (2008–2014)

  • Penny Dreadful (2014–2016)

  • Being Human (2008–2014)

  • Grimm (2011–2017)

  • The Witch (2015)

  • Constantine (2005)

  • Underworld (2003)

  • Underworld: Blood Wars (2016)

  • Doctor Strange (2016)

  • Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)

What if the monster under the bed wasn’t there to scare you… but to flirt, threaten, and maybe change your life?
🩸✨ Hey! Hi! Hello!

In this first part of our Anita Blake deep dive, we’re going back to where it all began: Guilty Pleasures by Laurell K. Hamilton. We’ll slip into the eerie streets of 1990s St. Louis, wander through Hamilton’s genre-bending legacy, and pick apart the crime-soaked, blood-smeared plot that introduced Anita Blake to the world. Then, we’ll do a character autopsy (don’t worry, she’d approve) on Anita herself — from her witty comebacks to her moral contradictions — and explore why this debut still feels sharp decades later.

It’s a journey into first impressions, dangerous charm, and a heroine who refused to play victim — even when standing toe-to-toe with nightmares. So grab your silver crosses, keep a witty comeback on hand, and let’s talk about the book that taught us guilty pleasures can be anything but.

🌒 If you’ve ever fallen for a story that rewired your taste in characters forever, this one’s for you.

💌 Links & Extras
Want more dark delights? Head to ⁠linktr.ee/chicklingchronicles⁠ for The Missing Reflection and all the ways we can connect.

💬 Got thoughts? DM me on Instagram or tag me in your vampire boyfriend debates — Jean-Claude or bust, right?

📚 Sources & Further Reading
📖 Laurell K. Hamilton – Guilty Pleasures (1993)
📖 Laurell K. Hamilton – Nightseer (1992)
📖 Anne Rice – Interview with the Vampire (1976)
📖 P.N. Elrod – The Vampire Files series (1990s)
📖 Tanya Huff – Blood Price (1991)
📺 The X-Files (1993–2018)
📺 Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003)
🌐 Laurell K. Hamilton – Official Website (author bio & career background)

What if a story could change shape… and still keep its soul?
🌙✨ Hey! Hi! Hello!
In this grand finale of our Sailor Moon mini-series, we’re twirling through decades of transformation—from the poetic intensity of the manga, to the campy heart of the ‘90s anime, to the sleek drama of Sailor Moon Crystal. Then we’ll chase her moonlit influence into YA novels, magical girl TV, and even movies you might not expect.

It’s a journey through legacy, adaptation, and the kind of magic that lingers long after the sparkle fades. So grab your brooch, queue the theme song in your head, and let’s talk about why Sailor Moon still feels like she’s fighting for you.
🌒 If you’ve ever loved the same story in more than one form, this one’s for you.

💌 Links & Extras
Looking for more magic? Head to ⁠linktr.ee/chicklingchronicles⁠ for The Missing Reflection

You can also visit my website for your free Inner Senshi Worksheet and to sign up for my newsletter

💬 Got opinions? DM me on Instagram or tag me in your transformation sequence recaps. I love hearing which version of Sailor Moon captured your heart.

📚 Sources I Used & Further Reading
🌙 Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Manga – Naoko Takeuchi (1991–1997)
📺 Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon (1992–1997 anime, Toei Animation)
📺 Sailor Moon Crystal (2014–2023 anime reboot)
📚 Marr, Melissa – Wicked Lovely
📚 Deonn, Tracy – Legendborn
📺 Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir
📺 Buffy the Vampire Slayer
🎥 The Craft (1996)
🎥 K-Pop: Demon Hunters (2024)
📖 Napier, Susan J. – Anime from Akira to Howl’s Moving Castle
📖 Cavallaro, Dani – Magic as Metaphor in Anime
🌐 Anime Feminist – “Why Sailor Moon Still Resonates”
🎭 TV Tropes – Magical Girl, Fate vs. Free Will, Softness as Strength

What if your enemy was your soulmate… in another life?

🌙✨ Hey! Hi! Hello!

In this emotionally-charged episode of Chickling Chronicles, we’re dusting off our moon tiaras and diving deep into the starlit heartbreak, cosmic romance, and villain redemption arcs of Sailor Moon Season 1 and beyond.

So grab your crescent wand, cue the tragic backstory, and let’s talk about love, grief, and why sometimes… your greatest enemy is just your soulmate with bad timing.

🌒 If you’ve ever whispered “don’t I know you?” to a fictional character, this one’s for you.

💌 Links & Extras
Looking for more magic? Head to linktr.ee/chicklingchronicles⁠ for:

• 🐾 The Missing Reflection – my paranormal mystery novel (available now!)

• ✨ Your free Inner Senshi Worksheet

• 📬 My newsletter: creative musings, book news, and moonbeam energy delivered straight to your inbox

💬 Got opinions? DM me on Instagram or tag me in your battle recaps. I love hearing what stories broke your heart (in a good way).

📚 Sources I Used & Further Reading
🌙 Sailor Moon (1992 anime, Viz Media + original Japanese version)
🌙 Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Crystal (2014–2016 anime reboot)
📘 Codename: Sailor V and Sailor Moon Manga by Naoko Takeuchi
📺 Sailor Moon Fandom Wiki – Dark Kingdom arc
🎞️ Sailor Moon Season 1 (Ep. 45–46), R (Doom Tree Arc), S (Ep. 124–125)

📖 “Why the Villains in Sailor Moon Matter More Than You Think” – Anime Feminist🌈 “Representation in 90s Anime” – The Mary Sue🎭 TV Tropes: ⁠Reincarnated Love⁠, ⁠Enemies to Lovers⁠, ⁠Tragic Villain⁠📚 Understanding Magical Girls: Narrative, Feminism, and Global Appeal – academic article (JSTOR)🎤 Toonami Oral History (Polygon)
🎥 Moon Animation Analysis – YouTube creators:

• Sydsnap: “The Tragedy of Queen Beryl”

• Mother’s Basement: “Why Sailor Moon Still Works”

• Strawberry Panic: “Zoisite and Kunzite: Queer Love in Classic Anime”

Magical Girls, Messy Growth, and Moonlight Trauma?

Count me in!

In this sparkling first installment of a three-part Sailor Moon deep dive, we’re taking a serious look at the emotional weight behind those transformation brooches. Join me in unpacking why Usagi Tsukino’s tear-streaked journey from crybaby to cosmic guardian still hits like a crescent moon boomerang decades later.

This isn't just about magical girl tropes! Together, we’re digging into grief as backstory, emotional courage as power, and why messy heroines deserve the spotlight. From genre history to character dynamics, this episode is part love letter, part writer’s toolbox, and part emotional hug in sailor fuku form.

✨ Whether you’re a longtime fan, a curious creative, or someone who’s always wondered if crying is a valid superpower (spoiler: it is), this episode will leave you inspired to embrace your own inner Senshi.

🧠 Resources & References:

1. Takeuchi, Naoko – Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, manga (original source material)

2. Toei Animation – Sailor Moon (1992 anime) and Sailor Moon Crystal (2014 reboot)

3. Sailor Moon Official Website – https://sailormoon-official.com

4. Brown, Steven T. (Ed.) – Cinema Anime: Critical Engagements with Japanese Animation – includes discussion on Sailor Moon’s cultural impact

5. Napier, Susan J. – Anime from Akira to Howl’s Moving Castle – critical look at anime tropes, identity, and cultural context

6. The Mahō Shōjo Wiki – https://magicalgirl.fandom.com – for genre exploration

7. “The Power of the Magical Girl: Feminism and Emotion in Anime” – Article from Anime Feminist

8. Courtney’s FREE ‘Your Inner Senshi’ Journal Worksheet – Available at: www.courtneyhickling.com/podcast

   
   

💖 Liked the episode?
Follow, subscribe, leave a review, and tag us with a 🌙 emoji to let us know you're part of the Sailor Squad. And don’t forget to grab your free journaling worksheet, it’s moonbeam magic for your creative soul.

📚 Craving more twists, tension, and tear-streaked mysteries? Grab your copy of The Missing Reflection. This paranormal mystery is eager to haunt hearts everywhere. Preorder here + social handles are waiting for you here.

Hey! Hi! Hello!
In this episode of Chickling Chronicles, we’re peeling back the expertly manicured layers of one of the most twisted, tantalizing thrillers of the 21st century—Gone Girl. I’m Courtney, your paranormal mystery author bestie, and today we’re diving deep into Gillian Flynn’s hit novel and David Fincher’s darkly delicious 2014 adaptation.

We’ll unpack the genius of unreliable narrators, diary entries as weapons, and how the film managed to translate psychological manipulation into pure cinematic dread. Why does this story grip you by the throat? What can writers learn from its icy precision? And why, for the love of all things narrative, does that ending still make us squirm?

We’ll also dig into Gillian Flynn’s pop-culture roots, Fincher’s obsession with emotional unraveling, and the role of media spectacle in both versions of this marital mind game.

So buckle up, grab your popcorn (and maybe your alibi), and let’s unravel this masterpiece of love, lies, and literary vengeance.

🪞 If you've ever considered writing a fake diary entry for plot reasons (fictional, of course), this one's for you.

💌 Links & Extras

Curious about my own twisty mystery? Check out ⁠linktr.ee/chicklingchronicles⁠ for The Missing Reflection, my paranormal thriller (available now!), plus all my socials, bonus content, and behind-the-scenes ramblings.

📬 Want to scream your story opinions at me (lovingly)? DM me on Instagram or drop a comment on YouTube. I love hearing what stories have left you gleefully unhinged.

📚 Sources I Used & Further Reading

• Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (2012)

• Gone Girl (2014 film), directed by David Fincher

• Gone Girl: The Official Screenplay by Gillian Flynn

• The Guardian: “Gillian Flynn on Cool Girls and Unlikable Women”

• Entertainment Weekly: “Flynn and Fincher on That Ending”

• Vanity Fair: “How Rosamund Pike Became the Ultimate Antiheroine”

• IndieWire: “David Fincher on Unlikable Characters and Obsession”

• Time Magazine: “Why Gone Girl Is the Most Feminist Movie of the Year”

• Lessons from the Screenplay – Gone Girl analysis (YouTube)

• The Nerdwriter – Unreliable Narration in Gone Girl (YouTube)

• Wikipedia: Gillian Flynn, Gone Girl (film), Gone Girl (novel)

Hey! Hi! Hello!
In this spellbinding episode of Chickling Chronicles, we’re diving into the glittering, dagger-filled world of romantasy, that utterly addictive blend of romance and fantasy that’s taken over bookshelves, BookTok, and probably your entire weekend.

From ancient curses and brooding fae princes to forbidden kisses under blood moons, we’re unpacking why this genre has us all so deliciously bewitched. We’ll explore the long, dramatic history of romantasy (spoiler: it didn’t start with ACOTAR), chat about why it speaks to our biggest daydreams, and shower your TBR with epic new reads. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the enchanted party, this episode’s got something magical just for you.

So pour a cozy drink (or summon something a little witchy) and let’s swoon our way through the stories where love might save the world.

👇 Don’t forget to hit follow, subscribe, or leave a review! It helps our little storytelling coven grow. And check out the link in the episode description for all things romantasy, Courtney’s socials, and her upcoming paranormal mystery debut, The Missing Reflection, out September 2nd!

⏰ Chapters & Timestamps
00:00 – Welcome: The Spell of Romantasy – Why We're All Swooning Over Magic & Love
02:36 – Romantasy: A Brief History05:49 – Enter the Modern Era: From Fae Courts to TikTok Edits09:16 – Filling Our TBR (and TBW): Book & Movie Recs11:59 – Storyteller Tips: Writing Epic Love in Magical Worlds14:44 – Closing the Book & Many Thanks

✨ Comment Magic Moment: If you made it to the end, drop a 🗡️❤️ in the reviews or on social to let me know your favorite romantasy trope—dagger-to-throat tension? Soulbonded lovers? Enemies-to-lovers with magical curses? I wanna know!

📚 Pre-order The Missing Reflection (coming Sept 2!) and find all my links & bookish haunts here: linktr.ee/chicklingchronicles