Few things exist in a vacuum, whether it's power, privilege, entertainment, policies, politics, cultural norms, or random musings about why I just can't let go of those last chips at the bottom of a Pringles can.
And the way the threads connecting those things are woven into stories that tell us about the world, our place in it, and who we can become irrevocably influence our perceptions about power--what it looks like, how it's used, and who gets to access and keep it.
Connecting the Dots is about exploring how narratives shape our perspectives on personal and political levels through a mix of critical analysis and personal essay. Also sometimes I just feel like writing about what makes me happy, why my cats are weird, or the flags I've planted on hills of petty low-stakes opinions. Occasionally I'll share what I'm up to elsewhere on- and offline. And because I'm leaning into my inner chaos demon, newsletters won't come out on a regular schedule.
I'm Michi Trota, a Filipina American editor, writer, narrative & storytelling developer, and professional fire+flow arts performer from Chicago. I'm a British Fantasy Award and 5-time Hugo Award winner, Igynite finalist for the Ember Award for Unsung Contributions to the Genre of Science Fiction & Fantasy, and the first known Filipino to win a Hugo Award. I occasionally talk about pop culture and politics on podcasts, NPR, and at conventions and similar events, and sometimes I even get published online.