Ghost Stories For Hex-mas

‘Tis the season for ghost stories…

Gathering round the fire to share spine-tingling tales — a winter tradition popularized in Victorian England — is a seasonal staple at House at Leaves. 

As a wee thank you for being part of our Undead Community during the past year, we’ve compiled some of our favorite winter ghost stories for your listening pleasure…

We hope you’ll enjoy them as part of a magical Jólabókaflóð (‘Yule book flood’); this Icelandic tradition, which involves exchanging books on Christmas Eve before sharing stories, space, and sweets with loved ones, is a beautiful continuation of this communal custom — a celebration of companionship, (horror) books, and the joy and restorative power of reading.

(Read our previous Jólabókaflóð blog posts for tips on how to celebrate on any budget (including none!), how to wrap bookish gifts like a pro, and how to curate the perfect reading experience!)

And in the spirit of giving books, we’re donating 20% of all sales from the month of December (which will be matched by our founders — the final amount will be donated when our shop closes on Thursday 19 December) to the charity BookTrust — the UK's largest children's reading charity, whose mission is to get children from low-income and vulnerable family backgrounds reading regularly and by choice. 

As a small business, we couldn’t have done this without you: your support has meant that we are able to pass on the magic of reading to vulnerable children, a gift that lasts beyond the holidays as many children will be able to call a book their own for the first time.

Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts. We look forward to 2025 and the next chapter of HoL…

Until then, we hope you have a restful and restorative holiday — as always, take care out there and stay spooky!

Rebecca, Valeska, Jessica & Ryan

“The Spirit At One’s Elbow”: Christmas Ghost Stories

Since the Victorian Era, many have enjoyed the spine-tingling tradition of sharing supernatural tales under the glow of holiday lights…

As we move into the coldest and darkest time of the year, what better way to celebrate than by sharing a ghost story?

And not just any ghost story, but one perfect for fans of found footage horror, “presented as a real live outside broadcast, much in the way that the later War of the Worlds and Ghostwatch were executed.”

One believed lost to time until 2014, when author Reggie Chamberlain-King uncovered Denis Johnston’s script “Not One Returns To Tell” in the archives at Trinity College, Dublin. 

Originally aired in Northern Ireland on Christmas Eve 1937, Johnston’s treat-or-trick ghost story was told “with the intention of giving [listeners] a good Christmas scare.” This was a full ten months before Orson Welles’ infamous “The War Of The Worlds” radio broadcast…

What inspired and connected these two trans-Atlantic radio hoaxes? 

Chamberlain-King explores this question in Filtered Reality, our love letter to found footage horror. 

Read on for an extended excerpt from his brilliant chapter, “The Spirit At One’s Elbow: Denis Johnston, Orson Welles And Interrupted Radio,” which sets the scene for Johnston’s play…

If you’re dying to read on, there’s still time to grab your (numbered first-edition) copy of Filtered Reality ahead of the holidays…

As the nights get darker, romanticize your reading with our Book + Burn Collection — let the intoxicating aroma of our exclusive Blair Witch-themed candle transport you to the woods of Burkittsville this winter…

And if you want to create the ultimate (spooky and cozy) reading experience, we have a couple of our seasonal Writual sets left…

Inspired by the Icelandic tradition of Jólabókaflóð (‘Yule book flood’), which involves exchanging books each Christmas Eve, and the British love of winter holiday horror, our festive, reader-focused Book Night(mare) Before Hex-mas Collection has everything you need to create the perfect cozy evening by the fire. 🌲

Reading Together: 3 Ways To Celebrate Jólabókaflóð (On Any Budget)!

What's more magical than unwrapping a gifted book under the glow of holiday lights? Reading books together. 

Did you know that books are the most popular Christmas gift in Iceland? This is due to the fantastic Icelandic tradition of Jólabókaflóð (‘Yule book flood,’ pronounced yo-la-bok-a-flot). 

Each year, Icelanders gift each other books on Christmas Eve, before spending a warm and cozy evening exploring these new stories together — often while eating chocolate or drinking comforting mugs of delicious hot cocoa! It's a beautiful celebration of companionship, the love of storytelling, and the restorative power of reading. 🖤

While Jólabókaflóð is traditionally celebrated on Christmas Eve, this cozy experience can be enjoyed at any point over the holidays (or even after). From work commitments (the biggest thank you to everyone working in retail and service, you're all stars!!) to the difficulty of trying to get everyone in the same room at the same time, reading together is a wonderful way to connect over distances via video call and spend precious time together. 

However you intend to share space and stories with loved ones over the holiday (or beyond), here are three of our favorite ways to celebrate Jólabókaflóð...

What's Behind Book Number Three? Blind Date (With A Book)

Most booksellers offer mystery book packages, usually grouped by genre with a clue written or drawn on the wrapping. You can also support small shops online (in time for Christmas Eve, if you're quick!) via Etsy sellers or book subscription services. The latter is our preferred method, as you usually answer a few questions to help the seller choose the perfect book (for you or your lucky recipient!) and you can also let them know what to avoid, including specific titles, which is so handy when it comes to avid readers! Plus, the books are more likely to be beautifully packaged and come with wee treats to enjoy while reading, such as tea and bookmarks.

Thrift Away

Not only is thrifting a great way to support your local charity shops, it's also a fun way to search for something unique. As a book collector on the lookout for specific titles and editions, I always have a list to hand for friends and family. You can build on this by asking for reader profiles (genres, authors, tropes etc.) or by using amusing criteria to narrow down the search (such as colors, themes, and even the title's word count) to help you find that special gift. It's also a great opportunity to spend an afternoon with loved ones; I've made some of the most cherished (and hilarious) memories hunting for book treasure using silly criteria. And you never know, you could find a first-edition copy of The Hobbit...

Book Buying Ban? No problem...

If you don't want to spend any money at all, why not arrange a book swap over the holidays? It clears the shelves (making room for more books in the New Year...) and satisfies that book-buying itch without breaking any rules — win-win! Structure the swap by asking participants to provide suggestions as to what genres to bring, or discover something completely new by wrapping the books. Make sure to keep an eye out for local book swap fairs, too!

And if you're struggling to find the perfect bookish gift for Jólabókaflóð that's as unique as they are, click HERE to explore our Book Night(mare) Before Hex-mas Collection — a cozy experience designed for spooky book lovers and reading together. (Though please note: this limited set is almost sold out!) 🖤

That's a Wrap: The Perfect Bookish Gift

Still nursing that Halloween hangover? Us too. But as much as we may want to delay the inevitable, the holidays are just around the corner.

With November almost over, making sure you’re prepared is one of the best things you can do for your mental health during the countdown to the holidays…

It’s also the best thing for your wallet, ensuring you have time to hunt down deals, tailor your thrifting sessions, or create that special seasonal experience. 

Some alarming statistics as we enter the 2024 holiday season:

The average UK household will spend £1,811.70 during the holiday period, which is a whopping 80% of the average monthly UK income.

3 in 5 people (58%) in the UK — that’s 31 million adults! — report receiving an unwanted gift at Christmas.

The total spend on unwanted gifts is estimated to be £1.27 billion.

46% of holiday shoppers still haven’t recovered from last year’s holiday debt.

Which is why books will always top my list as the perfect gift.

Books Reading GIFfrom Books GIFs

They’re easily tailored to interests, budgets, and can be recycled in a number of ways (from lending to regifting to donating).

Aside from their mindful, educational, and durable potential, they also encourage us to actively slow down and spend time on and with ourselves and loved ones. Whether you’re planning to do a simple book swap, arrange a themed thrifting challenge with family and friends, or craft a blind date with a book, creating a cherished bookish experience — much like the Icelandic tradition of sharing stories and space on Christmas Eve for Jólabókaflóð — is a beautiful way to spend the holiday.

Expressing your love and appreciation for that special someone by taking time and care when wrapping their gift is a huge part of curating the perfect cozy reading experience. Which is why we’re sharing our favorite book wrapping tutorial from Effective Spaces. Aside from the beautiful presentation, this method will have you wrapping bookish packages like a pro in no time. It also includes creating paper pockets (what every girl really wants) for you to fill with cards, tea, chocolate — whatever your bookish recipient desires!

Top tips 

Double-sided tape is the key to creating that seamless finish. 
We recommend 80 gsm wrapping paper to get the crisp lines just right.
And for that extra special touch, we love to decorate the paper with stickers (a fun way to hint at the theme or book title!)

And if you want to gift the perfect bookish experience — to yourself or the lucky horror-lover in your life — but don’t know where to start, click HERE to explore our Book Night(mare) Before Hex-mas Collection. 🖤

Working with ADHD: Find Your Focus (Part Two)

In my last post, Working With ADHD: Find Your Focus (Part 1), I shared three simple productivity hacks that have helped me improve my concentration. Below, you’ll find my final four tips. 

Please note: this advice is NOT one-size-fits-all. Depending on your unique flavour of ADHD or other neurodivergence, some tips may be more helpful than others. The key is always to find what feels good for you, and adjust as needed!

#4: Practice time-blocking 

Look… the idea of working nonstop for hours is extremely outdated. These days, even neurotypicals lack the necessary attention span, so take a more realistic approach to your time management. Many people find the Pomodoro Technique® helpful, as it breaks time up into manageable periods of focused work followed by timed breaks. Experiment with different work-and-break combinations to find what works best for you.

#5: Honour your energy

Scheduling tasks based on your energy can be very effective. If you tend to hit your creative peak after the sun goes down, tackle creative tasks in the evening. If your concentration levels are highest in the morning, use that time for copy editing or research. Mapping out your energy throughout the day, week, and month will help you plan your work accordingly.

#6: Keep your workspace organized

Clutter is the enemy of focus for many of us, so be proactive and nip those potential distractions in the bud. Before you sit down to start working, give the room a quick tidy and clear your immediate workspace of clutter. If visual distraction is an issue, try out a storage system that keeps smaller objects hidden from view, like a small chest of drawers or a couple of lidded baskets.

#7: Hide your phone

Confession: I am addicted to my phone. If I were Gollum, my phone would be my precioussss. The sweet dopamine hit of an Instagram like, the thrill of the reddit scroll, the endless supply of topical and hilarious memes… I can’t say no. If my phone is within reach, I‘ll inevitably reach for it. That’s why I keep my phone in a designated box when I need to focus. Out of sight, out of mind, out of my grubby little paws.

Have fun with it—grab a cheap wooden box at the dollar store and decorate it to match your aesthetic. If hiding your phone feels too extra, the Brick app temporarily disables distracting apps and notifications until you’re ready to end your work day.

Your Accursed Librarian,

Valeska

Jólabókaflóð: The Book Night(mare) Before Hex-mas

Winter is the season of slowing. Of silence. In the United Kingdom, snow blankets the ground as animals sleep and nature sheds last year’s skin.

And yet, even as the world reminds us that this is a time to pause — to reflect, recharge, remake — this is the busiest period of the year. 

Caught in the seasonal surge, we push ourselves to the limit to meet expectations and craft the perfect holiday. By unintentionally allowing the holiday to steal what little time we have to rest and regroup, we’re left even more exhausted (with depleted energy and cash reserves…) as we enter the New Year — a time when we should be rejuvenated and ready for the next chapter.

Even if you don’t celebrate Christmas, the holiday period has such potential to be a spiritual experience: spending time with loved ones, getting outside and finding magic in the world again, and protecting your peace.

The simple truth is: you can’t do any of this without slowing down. Which makes the Icelandic tradition of Jólabókaflóð (‘Yule book flood,’ pronounced yo-la-bok-a-flot) so special: it involves the giving and receiving of books on 24th December, before spending the evening reading together in a group (usually with mugs of delicious hot chocolate). 

Jólabókaflóð originated during World War II (1939–45). As paper was one of the few materials that wasn't rationed during this period, books became a valued gift in Iceland. The tradition was officially born in 1944 with the release of the first book bulletin, a catalog of new publications released in the months before the holiday, which continues to circulate today.

From the moment we learned about this tradition, it's been a seasonal staple at House of Leaves. Pairing perfectly with our beloved Victorian tradition of sharing spine-tingling ghost stories under the glow of holiday lights, Jólabókaflóð is a beautiful communal practice — a celebration of companionship, (horror) books, and the joy and restorative power of reading.

In the spirit of both traditions, we wanted to share this seasonal holiday with our wonderful Undead Community, so we’ve curated a very special festive Writual set, lovingly designed with readers in mind.

The set includes:

📖 keepsake bookmark exclusively designed by Jessica Rose
📓 sleek bespoke book sleeve
🫖 luxury vegan-friendly hot chocolate
🖤 and more!

Limited to just 15 sets, our reader-centric Book Night(mare) Before Hex-mas Collection is the perfect gift to create a Jólabókaflóð experience for a horror-loving friend… but if you want to keep it for yourself, we won’t judge!

This collection is intended to be a present — whether that's a promise to yourself to be more present, to give the joy of reading to loved ones, or a mixture of the two as you come together over the holiday to share space and stories.

It’s our intention to take this mindful practice of ritual reading into the New Year, and we hope you will too. No matter how stressful things get leading up to and over the holiday, remember to pause, protect your time, and be present.

We hope you’re taking care of yourselves and each other out there. Stay spooky. 🖤

The HoL Editorial Team

Working with ADHD: Find Your Focus (Part One)

The ADHD experience can be a lot of things: frustrating, embarrassing, creative, joyful, challenging, and sometimes hilarious. But it’s not often easy when it comes to productivity. When your attention span is fun-sized, knocking tasks off your to-do list can be a daunting endeavour (unless the tasks relate to your special interests, of course, in which case you’ll probably happily go into overtime).

While each neurodivergent individual is different and there really aren’t any one-size-fits-all solutions, I’d love to share a few actionable tips that have helped me improve my focus and productivity. These tips can be used alongside any medication or techniques recommended by your doctor. Your mileage will almost certainly vary, but learning how we work (and work best) is part of our ongoing journey.

#1: Stay hydrated
If you’re rolling your eyes right now, I get it. I too am annoyed when people offer overly simple “solutions” for neurodivergent (and mental health, for that matter) concerns. But stay with me, because studies have shown that even mild dehydration negatively affects cognitive performance, including concentration, memory, and critical thinking. And when your attention span is already below average, every second counts. If you experience dry mouth, fatigue, dizziness, and headaches frequently, consider investing in one of those jumbo refillable water bottles.

#2: Eat the frog
Task paralysis is no joke. Identify your most challenging task of the day—the one you’re most likely to push off until tomorrow, and the day after that, and the day after that—and really push yourself to do it first. That task is the frog, and procrastinating will just ramp up the dread. You’ll thank me later!

#3: Make use of multiple desktops
If you’re anything like me, you probably have multiple active browser windows that have collected dozens of tabs each—and the temptation to click through them (and away from your current task) can be irresistible.

Windows 11 users can and should take advantage of Microsoft’s game-changing multiple desktops feature, which allows you to set up separate desktop instances for different areas of focus. Creating a desktop devoted to deep work or research allows you to work within an environment free of distracting tabs and notifications.

Thank you for reading. Stay tuned for Part 2!

Your Accursed Librarian,
Valeska

Halloween Ends (But Your Halloween Mindset Doesn't Have To)

As Halloween approaches, we count down the days as our excitement grows. For horror fans, it's one of our favorite (formative) holidays, its eerie enchantment shaping our lifelong love of things that go bump in the night. That nostalgia, the magic of Halloween, never truly leaves us — and we savor its seasonal charm each year by immersing ourselves in our celebrations.

Sadly, around the concentrated commerce of the spooky season and increasing commitments in our distracted lives, the holiday is here — and over — before we know it.

Halloween Ends, but your Halloween mindset — pausing to be present in the moment — doesn't have to. 

While horror fans continue the spooky aesthetic, ambience, and content during the rest of the year, how often do you truly slow down (like you do at Halloween) to engage with and enjoy daily tasks — especially as readers and writers?

Around the grind, our love for and enjoyment of reading and writing often takes a back seat when we're under pressure to deliver a deadline. As a self-confessed distracted writer, finding time to read for research or sit down and smash that wordcount is hard enough, let alone that elusive golden egg — taking time to actually rest, and read or write simply for pleasure (without feeling guilty as hell).

One small change that's truly transformed my system is creating a reading and writing (W)ritual. As unique as each reader and writer, your Writual is your routine to consistently nurture your writing in order to get results. (What's Your Writual? Read here to outline yours (and see mine!))

In addition to enhancing focus, an integral part of my Writual is romanticizing: drawing on my Halloween mindset by reading and writing mindfully, both of which are greatly helped by implementing spooky stationery and practical tools to help me focus and manifest. A reflective and conscious commitment to slow our pace, quiet our minds, and immerse ourselves in the act itself, mindful reading and writing allows us to press pause and romanticize the experience — to savor the atmosphere, soak up every word, and actually enjoy it.

Even if you don't have an unhealthy obsession with beautiful seasonal stationery (*cough, cough*), taking time to physically mark passages that resonate, to regularly record your thoughts in a journal, or to take research notes by hand are all mindful acts that encourage you to engage fully with the words on the page.

In addition to improving your relationship with the text itself — whether that's retaining knowledge, sparking creativity, or simply an emotional connection — this practice of slowing allows you to pause and not only appreciate the small moments but participate in them.

As the world spins madly on, taking time for ourselves will only become more difficult. Romanticizing your reading and writing — invoking the spirit of Halloween in your creative and practical endeavours — is a simple way to take care of yourself.

Don't just take my word for it; the benefits of mindful reading have been noted by medical professionals, from promoting mental health to cognitive improvement in adults, and a range of developmental advantages for children.

And that's the ethos behind our Writual set. It's designed to help you practically implement the intentions of our Hex Libris blog: to romanticize regular reading sprints (for both research and pleasure, encouraging mindful reading as part of your self-care routine), and to enhance your writing focus and enjoyment to build productive writing habits. (To manifest your own Writual, click here!)

Our first-ever Writual set — the Jessica Rose x HoL-loween Collection — was named after the nostalgia and magic of Halloween, a joy and mindset intended to be invoked and experienced all year round. It was so special to curate this collection, and knowing that so many of our readers and writers share our excitement is amazing!

If you love your collection, we'd be grateful if you’d share a pic on Instagram and tag us. And if you're ready to romanticize but haven't ordered your Writual set yet, we still have a few available!

Happy Halloween!

As ever, stay safe and spooky,

Rebecca, Jessica, Ryan & Valeska

Art of the Scare: Creating the Jessica Rose x HoL-loween Collection

When I was first asked to design some spooky artwork for a Halloween stationery collection, my first thought (aside from an enthusiastic, “Hell yes!”) was: “What does Halloween look like at House of Leaves?”

Using my personal drawing technique — as well as employing the practical purposes of the collection and invoking what I love about Halloween imagery — I wanted to create pieces that would enhance the terrific tools included in our first-ever Writual bundle, from the handy book-band down to the adorable pumpkin paperclips.

In this special collection, you’ll find three items I drew by hand after collaborating on some ideas with fellow Accursed Librarian, Rebecca: custom House of Leaves pumpkin stickers, zombie bookworm bookmarks, and seasonal (haunted) library book trackers. Each is created with the collection’s intention of promoting mindful habits, practicality in function, and enhanced focus — all with a thoughtful, signature style.

Pumpkin Sticker

The pumpkin logo design was the easiest to draw. I didn’t want to complicate the look with too much texture on the pumpkin itself so as not to distract from the logo. I wanted House of Leaves Publishing to stand out, so I centered it within the shape and added a little more line design to the stem. We often associate pumpkins with an autumnal pale orange; however, I gave it a stand-out shade as a grown-up nod to the nostalgia and magic of Halloween: the bright, rich, semi-red orange color of vintage Halloween paper decorations and blow molds. Wherever it’s placed, it’s sure to pop!

Undead Bookworm

For the zombie bookworm design, I knew it would be something I could really have some fun with. When I think of a worm, I think of squirming; I wanted the design to ultimately look like something crawling around within the book in which it resides. These little creatures have a lot of movement to them and I tried a few different sketches that played with capturing their physicality (without the design looking too snake-like). I toyed with drawing the worm bursting out of the ground, adding some background detail etc. (which you can see in my process reel), but we settled on a die-cut bookmark item to suggest movement. I stripped out any extraneous details and focused on the worm itself squirming around the Print Is Undead tombstone. Being a zombie worm, I did a little research into what the insides of their bodies look like (and I now know more about the anatomy of a worm than I ever thought I would…). Their insides are unfortunately not as complex as humans, which left me with little to display on that front, so I added a few tears and bites into its epidermis, as well as a sickly green color to the exposed areas, to achieve the zombified look. Isn’t it just the cutest decomposing worm you ever did see?

Haunted Library Book Tracker

Creating the book tracker was a real treat. I basically thought of what my ideal bookshelf would look like — which meant lots and lots of books! I wanted users to have a generous number of spaces to fill in so that each print they receive would last as long as possible. Using my own library shelves as inspiration, I made a point to vary the sizes of the spaces’ spines to give the scene a realistic look. The bookshelf itself is modeled on pieces I’ve admired while shopping for antiques: big, bold, and beautiful. I knew I didn’t want to just square the top — because where’s the fun in that? — so I gave it a simple arch to brandish the Hex Libris logo and some chunky, regal gothic scrollwork. To give it a seasonal feel, it had to have pumpkins, cobwebs, and the cherry on top: a human skull. These little details are drawn from core designs in my spooky home décor (which you can see for yourself, alongside my tips to trick out your house this Halloween, here: part one; part two). You’ll see little thoughtful additions like imperfect cobwebs, knots in the floorboards, and dripping wax that give the tracker a special charm and dark academia vibe.

All of these designs keep with my line drawing artwork, a style I have always found to be my most comfortable outlet. They’re easy on the eye and match most aesthetics. Being able to contribute artwork for something like this, a bundle of stationery goods that I would personally find at my own desk, has been such a tremendous reward. My hope for all those that get their hands on this exclusive Writual collection is that they find just as much joy in using each item as we did in pulling it all together. There’s both tricks (the good kind) and treats in this seasonal set. Use them wisely… tour the Jessica Rose x HoL-loween Collection and get yours while you can!

Happy Halloween!

Your Accursed Librarian,
Jessica

What’s Your Writual?

Writers are in many ways a product of the literary savage garden. We cannot grow or thrive without sustenance, nurture, and the optimal environment for our individual needs. 

Which is why your writing (W)ritual is as unique as you are. Taking time to recognize what serves you (and what doesn’t) is an integral part of your process: your Writual is sacred. 

Once you’ve created your optimal environment, it’s simply a matter of sustaining and nurturing your writing — training your brain to manifest magic through (W)ritual. 

Which sounds way more complicated than it actually is — the hardest part is sticking to it!

Your Writual can be broken down into three acts or affirmations:

Focus
Your set writing goal, organizing and protecting your time, and using the correct tools to ensure maximum productivity...

Romanticize
Your reflective and conscious commitment to slowing down and immersing yourself in the act itself — from mindful ambience to spooky stationery...  

Manifest
Curating your optimal environment — your sanctum — to inform your mindset and habitually craft a routine that not only produces results, but allows you to fully engage with and enjoy the experience.

Your homework this week is to outline your Writual — what ingredients do you need to curate your sanctum?

Top tip
If there’s something new you'd like to incorporate into your Writual — a beautiful fountain pen, organizational software, visiting that new cosy coffee shop with your work in progress — add this as a reward for sticking with your routine for a month. Having this goal gives you something tangible to focus on, and the reward will be even sweeter knowing you've habitually worked to build a strong Writual with real results.  

Here’s my Writual:

💯 Having a clear goal before I start the session is paramount. Whether I’m researching (annotating a chapter), writing (hitting my word count) or editing (checking references), I frame each task around the time I have available that day...

⏳ …which is why organizing — and protecting — a regular slot of time allows me to create a routine. Consistency here is key; you can absolutely be malleable and move your allocated writing slot as needed, or amend your goal to work on something more manageable during a shorter session, but your Writual won't work unless it becomes a habit. Nurture your writing.

💧 I always make sure I have water to hand (as well as way too many coffees, but I'm working on that...). Keep those big, beautiful brains hydrated, people!

🎵 Horror film and videogame scores create the perfect atmos(fear). Aside from the usual suspects (Carpenter, Korzeniowski, Morricone, Ortolani, Resident Evil, Silent Hill etc.), for a change I’ll stick on the score from the film, TV show, or game I'm writing about or that's mentioned in a piece I'm editing.

🎧 On that note, noise-cancelling headphones are the MVP in my arsenal, allowing me to adjust my ambience in order to minimize distractions and slip into the correct headspace. Into the further you go...

🕯️ As I work from home, I use scents to help segment spaces — including getting myself in the ‘write’ headspace. My Writual scents include woodsy, moody, green notes (our Blair Witch-inspired candle is perfect for this...).

✒️ As a lover of spooky stationery, it’s a great way to inject some personality and fun into my research, writing, and editing. Plus, putting pen to paper — annotating by color, and writing notes by hand — has been scientifically proven to enhance knowledge retention. This is one of the reasons behind our curated Writual set...

🖥️ …and is also why I use a hybrid paper-digital system (which I'll explore in another post...). Even if I’m still at the paper stage by the end of the session, I end each Writual by digitally recording where I’m up to — along with next steps so I have a clear plan for the next session. 

☕ Well, almost. I always end my Writual with a treat, no matter how small. Very mindful, very horreur.

And that’s all there is to it. If you outline your Writual, curate your sanctum, and consistently nurture your writing with a bespoke routine that serves you — I can guarantee that you will not only see results, you’ll make magic.

And what better way to start curating your sanctum than with our first-ever Writual set? Featuring 15 tools designed to help you focus, romanticize, and manifest (three of which have been exclusively designed by featured artist Jessica Rose) our Jessica Rose x HoL-loween Collection — named after the nostalgia and magic of Halloween, a joy and mindset we believe should be invoked and experienced all year as part of your Writual — is a super-limited drop! Tour the collection here (but you’ll have to be quick, there’s only a few left)!

Spooky Spaces: Decorating Tips For The Perfect Haunted Home (Part Two)

Welcome to the second part of my series on spooky season decor! If you haven’t read part one, be sure to do so first for more tips and tricks!

Avoid The Games

So many people are apprehensive to ask others where they purchased their pieces of decor, especially online! I say go ahead and ask someone if it’s not an item you can find yourself. I have so many attractive pieces in my home that I love and never would have if I didn’t ask someone where they could be found. A quick, gracious message never hurts anyone and you won’t have to play the guessing game, or worse… the can't-find-it game.

Image: Jessica Rose

Don’t Fear The Thrift

When I was younger and severely unaware of budgeting, I never considered thrift, antique, and consignment stores to be a source for great decorating. Now, they’re my go-to when I’m looking for something to give my home spaces unique character. I’m not above houseware basics, but I use them to supplement my one-of-a-kind items. Antique stores are not only awesome places to find a deal, but they almost always have something older and spooky that you won’t find in a Target. Plus, there’s always a chance you’ll hit the jackpot and bring home a haunted piece…

It’s All A WIP

One of the biggest mistakes I made as a homeowner was expecting to decorate my entire house from top to bottom. Quickly learning that was impractical and, quite frankly, impossible, I embraced the accumulation process. Decorating takes time, especially if you are looking to turn your blank canvas into a creepy canvas. I keep my budget in mind, splurge on the rare items once in a while (when I can), and purchase over time. The days just before and after Halloween are some of the best times to take advantage of clearance sales at their highest and stock up for the following year!

Image: Jessica Rose

---

Until next Halloween, thank you for reading — stay safe and spooky.

Your Accursed Librarian, Jessica.

Spooky Spaces: Decorating Tips For The Perfect Haunted Home (Part One)

Welcome to the first part of a two-piece series with some decorating tips for the Halloween season.

I love to share the inside of my home on social media with friends, especially on Instagram. Being extremely visual, the space I surround myself in has to be particularly aesthetic, and reflect what I find appealing. While I wish I had my mother’s eye and knack for decorating quickly and painlessly, I’ve found that gradually tailoring the inside of my home to make me happy has created the best environment I could dream of over time and… it’s an ironically scary house all year long. I’m far from an interior design expert, but if you want some of my advice on how to turn a regular home into a spooky space, follow these simple tips:

Make It You

While the majority of people bust out the ghosts and pumpkins once October draws near, they’re annual fixtures in my house. Though I do have my designated Halloween decor (and a specific room for all of my horror goodies and paraphernalia), I decided that I would decorate my home interior exactly as I wanted it: spooky. I think the most important part of choosing your kind of look is to go with a theme you want to live in all the time. For example, I love a good gothic, vintage horror look so I was sure to stock up on tapered candles, aged hardcovers, bats and skulls of all kinds, witchy-inspired pieces, and all the dark furniture I could find when I decorated my living room. Make your house part of you!

Image: Jessica Rose

Make A Statement

I go weak in the knees for statement pieces. I can’t tell you exactly what kind of statement pieces I love because they’re so eclectic, but I enjoy having a conversation starter in each room of my house. Whether it’s the dark horse painting in my living room that I am slowly putting together with a The Ring theme in mind, a standout headless horseman statue I have in the center of my kitchen table, a big ceramic hare and Xenomorph cookie jar I have on my kitchen counter, or a giant wooden skull candelabra I keep at the front of my fireplace, I always have something noticeable in each room that represents the things I love.

Image: Jessica Rose

Support Small Shops

Like the local antique and thrift markets in my area, I find the best pieces from small businesses that I follow online. I spend a lot of my time on social media looking for inspiring artists, crafters, and sellers of all sorts to curate house decorations that are truly special. A lot of the time when it comes to purchasing from a small business, you’re receiving something limited in quantity but not in quality. There are so many talented creators out there so I follow accounts, favorite shops on Etsy, put together design boards, and always keep an eye open for things that grab my attention. (Let me know if you want the list, and I’ll share in a later post!)

---

On that note, thank you for reading; stay tuned for part two!

Your Accursed Librarian, Jessica Rose

How To Get Unstuck - Tips To Combat Writer's Block (Part Two)

Welcome to part two of our (w)rite of exorcism — simple steps to banish the demons of writer's block!

(If you haven't read part one yet, or want a refresher, here it is!)

Freewrite

We often get ourselves caught up in the logistics of writing; the strategies, the grammar, the outline, the mechanics, the order.

For some, that pressure can cause the block to expand. Sometimes the best thing we can do to motivate our creative spirit is to just let it flow.

Write anything, whatever comes to mind. Take a moment, take a deep breath, and write down the first sentence that comes to mind.

Segment

The particular sense of dread that accompanies the looming writing deadline when you have no clear outline or plan is practically an invitation for writer's block to manifest — and keep on growing.

Dismantle the wall created by writer's block one brick at a time, breaking the process into manageable chunks you can sink your teeth into.

If you work in focused stages — research, outline, freewrite, edit etc — and break these into as many smaller steps as you need, you'll find your rhythm.

Set yourself a goal, whether that's a word count or time limit, and chip away. Before you know it, the wall will start to crumble.

Collaborate

I can always rely on my good friends in the writing community to help me when I’m stuck elaborating on an idea.

Calling on trusted sources is a great way to get past a tricky part in your piece.

Fellow feedback helps give you a secondary perspective and can aid in driving your writing from concept to completion.

Revisit The Material

I’ve written about films I’ve seen many, many times, but I always revisit the material before starting every respective project.

I always discover new points and details that will support my current prompt.

A fresh view, listen, or read of a particular subject yields a relevant product.

You’ll waste less time trying to recall scenes, quotes, plot details etc. by giving the material a solid once-over prior to writing with it in mind.

Celebrate

Treat yourself when you reach big points in your process! Listen to your favorite song after you flesh out an outline.

Indulge in your favorite candy when you’ve reached half of your word count.

Reward yourself with a small gift when the piece is finally finished.

Celebrating incentivises your brain and keeps you fulfilled as you work toward meeting the next goal.

---

Did your tried-and-tested methods for battling writer’s block make this list?

Let us know how you get on in the comments below or via our socials!

And one last thing — technically, this counts as research, so here's your incentive to treat yourself today...

Thank you for reading. Your Accursed Librarian, Jessica.

---

How To Get Unstuck - Tips To Combat Writer's Block (Part One)

Writer’s block can be a real pain in the you-know-what.

Most times it’s a difficult hump in the process that many writers fear, but that can be easily alleviated through using a few simple tricks.

When you find yourself stuck, and even before you start writing, bust out the inspiration and take a few notes from the following bits of advice that will minimize the complicated blocks in your craft.

---

Acceptance

The best way to approach current or impending writer’s block is to face it directly.

It’s a moment in time, certainly not forever, and should not keep you from crossing the finish line.

So many writers allow the fear of writer’s block to control their project, whether that be it keeping them from moving forward, finishing, or even starting one to begin with.

Face this particular problem head-on and simply accept it for what it is: a blank spot that can be filled; a fleeting part of the writing process.

Keep A Schedule

Time management is key. If you don’t usually keep a weekly schedule, plan out your writing in increments.

Whether you use a calendar app or keep a written planner, budget your time realistically and try to maintain this.

There’s no fun in pushing deadlines and it’s sure to improve your quality of work.

Research

Don’t bite off more than you can chew. Many writers often sacrifice personal time for writing time, so keeping a schedule also allows you to take time for research into consideration.

It’s so important to have a strong knowledge of the subject matter well before starting to write. This will help you plan focused (and scheduled!) writing sessions.

You never want to be doing the majority of your planning research while in the middle of the project, as you run the risk of spending too much time searching for null points or stretching your theme too thin.

On A Roll? Stop!

When I was in the 4th Grade, my teacher taught writing through a Roald Dahl unit (a fantastically memorable one).

In a film about the writer, Dahl had some advice that resonated with me: If you’re on a roll, stop.

Though it sounds a bit counter-productive, he explained that you’ll have something to start from when you return. You’ll never be stuck!

Take A Break

As a follow-up to the previous point, a short break goes a long way — especially if you’re experiencing a tough spot while writing.

There is nothing wrong with stepping away from your project and doing something different for a while to recharge. In fact, the break often helps to allow your brain to work through the problem. When you come back, you’ll be ready to go.

---

I hope this list inspires you to look for new ways to say RIP to writer’s block in your own routine!

Our posts are designed to be quick, focused reads that get you thinking about practical steps to take in your own writing journey, so don't miss the rest of my tips to beat writer's block in part two...

Thank you for reading. Your Accursed Librarian, Jessica.

---

Welcome to Hex Libris — your accursed library!

Greetings, f(r)iends!!

Welcome to our revamped blog, Hex Libris!

It's been a hot minute since we last spoke. The time away has allowed us to focus and resurrect the blog — Hex Libris is your accursed library, a (horror-themed) resource to encourage mindful reading and help writers to build healthy, productive writing habits.

Like many of you in our HoL coven, we're not strangers to hustle culture; our tiny team works several jobs on top of our writing, editing, and artistic output.

Juggling calendars and commitments leaves us with very little time for ourselves. Especially time spent on self-care or creative projects (and their deadlines). Which, in the end, only adds fuel to the burnout fire.

Trying to keep the plates spinning for too long left me with a stress-induced speech disorder that affects every part of my life. On top of being a full-time carer with a day job, I've had to recalibrate my whole system, listen to my body, and make time to take as needed.

The deadlines, stress, and work will always be there.

Time, however, is fleeting. Memories and loved ones matter. Your wellbeing matters. You matter.

Healthy habits are a must to set protected boundaries for every part of your life, allowing you to be productive while enjoying the ride. And that's what this blog is designed to do. 

Our aim here is twofold: 

• suggest ways to enhance and romanticise regular reading sprints (for both pleasure and research) — to encourage mindful reading as a part of your self-care routine.
  

• offer tips and tricks to help you focus, enjoy, and build productive writing habits — to manifest your own writing ritual.

Each week, we'll touch on tools to help inspire, motivate, organise, and more — prompts to get you thinking practically about steps to take in your own journey.

To start, we've compiled several playlists on our YouTube channel sharing our fave ambience videos — all the spooky atmosphere your horror-filled heart could wish for.

Whether it's Halloween all year in your house, you fancy a night-time stroll through rain-dampened Victorian streets, or vintage spooky music is your vibe, there's a little bit of everything to help you romanticise, focus, and manifest.

We'll be adding to the ambience playlists on a regular basis — as well as videos sharing tips and tricks to help with productivity, organisation, mindfulness, and more! — so do let us know what content you want to see included!

Disclaimer: House of Leaves does not own the rights to the content in the playlists. All rights belong to the owners.

Please also shout out with any suggestions for the blog. Your accursed library is always open.

Thank you for reading. As ever, take care and stay spooky.

And if you could do me one last favour — do something for yourself today. 

Your Accursed Librarian, Rebecca

---