Dear writers,
For those who don’t yet know me, permit me a brief introduction: I’ve been working behind the scenes of St. Basil’s as Operations Director for about a year and a half now. Coming from the work world of interviewing Silicon Valley tech execs about AI, the opportunity to invest myself in nurturing St. Basil’s has been an immense joy.
Outside St. Basil’s, I am an iconographer, poet, and sacramental dark academia writer whose work hints at the secret mysticism of places, relationships, and embodied beliefs. I enjoy ballroom dancing, reading good books aloud, experimenting with new bakes, and walking my Goldendoodle Goldberry while we observe the small changes of the trees and sky in my neighborhood. Should you desire, you can learn more about me here.
Having received so much from St. Basil’s myself, I hope you all consider applying. I can think of few better ways to hone your craft and find your people.
Apply Today!
“I sincerely believe this: I think that Christians hold the future of storytelling in their hands. But I think there’s a lot of work to be done for that to happen.” ~ Jonathan Pageau
This work is exactly what we’re trying to do at St. Basil’s. If you want to join us, please submit your application by February 28th!
Recording: Open House 2025
Our 2025 open house recording is now available!
Learn about our applications, our instructors, our classes, our in-person retreat, and our new publishing arm: Wood Between Worlds Press.
Article Spotlight
It may be comforting for writers to know that the works we now uphold as gold standards faced a good deal of criticism in their time. Did you know that Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings was criticized for having black and white characters and for being unrealistic?
Lewis’s response to these criticisms leaves us with many gifts:
A compelling defense of myth;
A reminder of what a boost it can be for author friends to support one another; and
Some stellar quotations like, “The value of the myth is that it takes all the things we know and restores to them the rich significance which has been hidden by ‘the veil of familiarity.’”
You can read Lewis’s full article here, but keep in mind that the wonderfully meaty bit comes in the last two paragraphs.
Book Recommendation
Sometimes, in our haste to know all, we forget to know deeply. Thankfully, Lewis once again comes to our rescue by reminding us:
“It is a good rule, after reading a new book, never to allow yourself another new one till you have read an old one in between. If that is too much for you, you should at least read one old one to every three new ones.”
So consider this your permission to re-read one of your favorite books.
If you’re hampered by “the veil of familiarity” and want to experience the story afresh, consider reading it aloud with your family and attend to how the story takes on a richer meaning when you experience it through someone else’s voice. After all, what else are cozy winter evenings for?
Happy listening, reading, and writing!