Thorn Mooney
@thornthewitch.bsky.social
Religious Studies PhD student: the paranormal, secularism, magic, spiritualism, ethnography. Lit MA. Publishing production day job. Witch author, Gard priestess, guitarist, fountain pen person, Swiftie, probably a werewolf.
https://linktr.ee/thornthewitch
https://linktr.ee/thornthewitch
Pinned
Thorn Mooney
@thornthewitch.bsky.social
· Nov 15
Hello new platform! I’m Thorn. I’m a religious studies PhD student thinking about magic, modernity, and the paranormal. I publish trade books about witchcraft, and am usually online talking about fountain pens and books. Every now and then, guitars.
You can take my survey of contemporary Paganism, plus a number of other awesome seminars with brilliant scholars!
The Religion Department’s Black Friday sale is live! Study religion with real experts— live seminars, lectures, and guided readings. Get 25% off annual memberships with code BF25 at:
religiondepartment.com/membership
religiondepartment.com/membership
Religion Department Membership
religiondepartment.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:48 PM
You can take my survey of contemporary Paganism, plus a number of other awesome seminars with brilliant scholars!
Are you fucking kidding me
November 26, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Are you fucking kidding me
Oh and just so we’re clear I haven’t said a word about how much more nonsense you have to deal with if you aren’t a cis man. Lots of writers from the global majority would also like to have an additional word.
Since we’re talking about books and money, I’ll also talk specifically to new occult authors, because I watch new people go through this every single season: your first book might change your life, but almost surely not in the way you think.
November 26, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Oh and just so we’re clear I haven’t said a word about how much more nonsense you have to deal with if you aren’t a cis man. Lots of writers from the global majority would also like to have an additional word.
I just had a whole lot of words about trade publishing, but I could be talking academic too. I was a senior production employee at a big press when I started my PhD. I am able to love school because I know exactly how the sausage is made (I make it, in fact) and can recognize nonsense.
November 26, 2025 at 1:58 PM
I just had a whole lot of words about trade publishing, but I could be talking academic too. I was a senior production employee at a big press when I started my PhD. I am able to love school because I know exactly how the sausage is made (I make it, in fact) and can recognize nonsense.
Anyway hi everyone, I’m back from a huge anthropology conference in New Orleans and am defending my dissertation proposal next week so I am simultaneously wiped out and WIRED.
November 26, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Anyway hi everyone, I’m back from a huge anthropology conference in New Orleans and am defending my dissertation proposal next week so I am simultaneously wiped out and WIRED.
Since we’re talking about books and money, I’ll also talk specifically to new occult authors, because I watch new people go through this every single season: your first book might change your life, but almost surely not in the way you think.
November 26, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Since we’re talking about books and money, I’ll also talk specifically to new occult authors, because I watch new people go through this every single season: your first book might change your life, but almost surely not in the way you think.
Reposted by Thorn Mooney
And the folks who are actually writing full-time generally only got there after years of day jobs, family support, or both.
The point of sharing this is not to demoralize anyone, but to let emerging writers know they're not failing if they can't make a living off writing alone. Almost no one can.
The point of sharing this is not to demoralize anyone, but to let emerging writers know they're not failing if they can't make a living off writing alone. Almost no one can.
almost every novelist you read who's not from the airport fiction or bestseller sections is working a full on day job, including multi-award winners and absolute legends, or they have a spouse or trust that supports them. virtually across the board. just normalize in your mind that's how it works.
I know we know this, but authors need to get better at talking about how they actually make their money. Stop pretending it's from the books.
November 25, 2025 at 11:24 PM
And the folks who are actually writing full-time generally only got there after years of day jobs, family support, or both.
The point of sharing this is not to demoralize anyone, but to let emerging writers know they're not failing if they can't make a living off writing alone. Almost no one can.
The point of sharing this is not to demoralize anyone, but to let emerging writers know they're not failing if they can't make a living off writing alone. Almost no one can.
The other thing you can do to support authors is to tell your friends if you liked a book. Most of us get little to no marketing. Word of mouth is everything, even with social media. Tell your friends!
November 26, 2025 at 12:02 AM
The other thing you can do to support authors is to tell your friends if you liked a book. Most of us get little to no marketing. Word of mouth is everything, even with social media. Tell your friends!
Reposted by Thorn Mooney
I once asked a bookseller at a large indie store how many people would have to buy a book for it to get the attention of the store buyer and cause an additional order and they said: Three.
I see some book piracy discourse, and, to make a positive argument in favor of buying books, your marginal ability to influence what books get published and support the careers of writers you like is massive compared to most other forms of media.
November 25, 2025 at 11:07 PM
I once asked a bookseller at a large indie store how many people would have to buy a book for it to get the attention of the store buyer and cause an additional order and they said: Three.
My next seminar with the Religion Department is in March! American Paranormal was a hit, and this spring we’re talking about contemporary Paganism. #aarsbl25 #witchsky www.religiondepartment.com/contemporary...
Intro to Contemporary Paganism with Thorn Mooney
www.religiondepartment.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:51 PM
My next seminar with the Religion Department is in March! American Paranormal was a hit, and this spring we’re talking about contemporary Paganism. #aarsbl25 #witchsky www.religiondepartment.com/contemporary...
Not only did I go to Papier Plume in New Orleans and absolutely hemorrhage money on beautiful pens and paper and ink, I also got invited to pen club hangout, and then made the staff my new best friends. The fountain pen community is such a joy.
November 21, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Not only did I go to Papier Plume in New Orleans and absolutely hemorrhage money on beautiful pens and paper and ink, I also got invited to pen club hangout, and then made the staff my new best friends. The fountain pen community is such a joy.
Academic conferences are a great reminder that presentation and public speaking are completely different skillsets from research and writing. This is the absolute worst medium for sharing research for like 90% of these people.
November 21, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Academic conferences are a great reminder that presentation and public speaking are completely different skillsets from research and writing. This is the absolute worst medium for sharing research for like 90% of these people.
Come listen to me yap about my last year hanging out with paranormal investigators! Absolutely no Derrida.
If you’re attending #AAA2025, join us for our paired panels, “Real Ghosts?! Not Metaphors, Not Hauntology, Not Derrida,” exploring ethnographic encounters with spirits, presence, and the boundaries of reality and experience.
(1/4)
(1/4)
November 19, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Come listen to me yap about my last year hanging out with paranormal investigators! Absolutely no Derrida.
Reposted by Thorn Mooney
Remember: don't eat the mid tier fast food chicken, don't play the wizard game, don't shop at the hobby store run by the bad guys from Indiana Jones, and don't donate to the bigot bucket.
I know it's a tad early but I know those bitches with the buckets will be out soon. Don't gove them a penny. The volunteers may not know but the salvation army is no ally and actively combative and harmful to many queer minorities especially during the holiday season
November 17, 2025 at 11:41 PM
Remember: don't eat the mid tier fast food chicken, don't play the wizard game, don't shop at the hobby store run by the bad guys from Indiana Jones, and don't donate to the bigot bucket.
Reposted by Thorn Mooney
Hard to admit that a retail establishment was the closest thing I had to a temple, but there it was. wildhunt.org/2025/11/blac...
Black Friday Magick - Living, Paganism, Perspectives, Witchcraft
Witchcraft & Pagan News - "I knew that this must be the place for me first by the smell of it," writes Meg Elison. "Nag Champa on top, followed by the bright-colored mega sticks of incense marked “Rai...
wildhunt.org
November 17, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Hard to admit that a retail establishment was the closest thing I had to a temple, but there it was. wildhunt.org/2025/11/blac...
Top five film genres:
-what if we ate the neighbors
-what if we had lots of weird sex and THEN ate the neighbors
-rich people are sad
-children are monsters, actually
-an actress took guitar lessons
-what if we ate the neighbors
-what if we had lots of weird sex and THEN ate the neighbors
-rich people are sad
-children are monsters, actually
-an actress took guitar lessons
Top five film genres:
-mystical contemplation through sick fucking swordfights
-the Middle Ages were quite horny, actually
-We could make out if it weren’t for my code of honor
-I got lost in fairyland and learned my parents weren’t so bad
-sure the fascists are winning but at least we have dreams
-mystical contemplation through sick fucking swordfights
-the Middle Ages were quite horny, actually
-We could make out if it weren’t for my code of honor
-I got lost in fairyland and learned my parents weren’t so bad
-sure the fascists are winning but at least we have dreams
Top five film genres:
-rustic folk of this town have peculiar religious rituals
-hottest villain ever conceived is doing awful things but shot so erotically that I'm riveted
-these doomed nerds yearn in gay ways, then tragedy or war or something makes it worse
-kaiju
-childless woman wins
-rustic folk of this town have peculiar religious rituals
-hottest villain ever conceived is doing awful things but shot so erotically that I'm riveted
-these doomed nerds yearn in gay ways, then tragedy or war or something makes it worse
-kaiju
-childless woman wins
November 17, 2025 at 2:57 AM
Top five film genres:
-what if we ate the neighbors
-what if we had lots of weird sex and THEN ate the neighbors
-rich people are sad
-children are monsters, actually
-an actress took guitar lessons
-what if we ate the neighbors
-what if we had lots of weird sex and THEN ate the neighbors
-rich people are sad
-children are monsters, actually
-an actress took guitar lessons
The most recent update to Microsoft Word has a Copilot icon in the bottom right corner that spits out pop up options when you scroll through your document. It keeps offering to summarize my own essay for me. To be clear, I have Copilot turned off. There is apparently no option to remove this trash.
November 15, 2025 at 12:03 AM
The most recent update to Microsoft Word has a Copilot icon in the bottom right corner that spits out pop up options when you scroll through your document. It keeps offering to summarize my own essay for me. To be clear, I have Copilot turned off. There is apparently no option to remove this trash.
I also sometimes wonder how much of a shared experience it is to be high-achieving and also a family embarrassment. Like, how many other fully employed, financially independent PhDs/grad students are out there and when people say ”Your parents must be so proud“ you go “uuuhhhhh weeeelllllll…”
November 12, 2025 at 3:34 PM
I also sometimes wonder how much of a shared experience it is to be high-achieving and also a family embarrassment. Like, how many other fully employed, financially independent PhDs/grad students are out there and when people say ”Your parents must be so proud“ you go “uuuhhhhh weeeelllllll…”
Everyone at the small town coffee shop is here for Bible study meanwhile I’m the religion PhD researcher quietly like
November 12, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Everyone at the small town coffee shop is here for Bible study meanwhile I’m the religion PhD researcher quietly like
Frazer is the real King of Witches, tbh, and I love to think that it would’ve made him so mad.
Back on one of my favorite podcasts, SHWEP, for a fascinating conversation about "The Golden Bough”’s uncanny afterlife in the history of Western Esotericism, and whether Frazer—long cast as a great debunker of magic—might actually belong among the occultists.Check it out! shwep.net/oddcast/jaso...
Jason Ānanda Josephson-Storm on James George Frazer, The Golden Bough, and Western Esotericism – The Secret History of Western Esotericism Podcast (SHWEP)
shwep.net
November 12, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Frazer is the real King of Witches, tbh, and I love to think that it would’ve made him so mad.
Get to know your mutuals, list 10 random things you like:
Fountain pens
James Frazer
Guitars
Cats
William James
Watercolors
Dredge
Irish music
Werewolves
The Verve Pipe
Fountain pens
James Frazer
Guitars
Cats
William James
Watercolors
Dredge
Irish music
Werewolves
The Verve Pipe
Get to know your mutuals, list 10 random things you like:
Witchcraft
Pizza
Books
Animal crossing
Tea
Fall
Rainy days
Windy days
The forest
The beach
Witchcraft
Pizza
Books
Animal crossing
Tea
Fall
Rainy days
Windy days
The forest
The beach
get to know your mutuals, list 10 random things you like:
cats
espresso martinis
Alan Rickman
adventures (lil trails walks and such)
thunderstorms
cheesecake
Orville Peck
burgers and fries
T. rexs
air conditioning
cats
espresso martinis
Alan Rickman
adventures (lil trails walks and such)
thunderstorms
cheesecake
Orville Peck
burgers and fries
T. rexs
air conditioning
November 11, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Get to know your mutuals, list 10 random things you like:
Fountain pens
James Frazer
Guitars
Cats
William James
Watercolors
Dredge
Irish music
Werewolves
The Verve Pipe
Fountain pens
James Frazer
Guitars
Cats
William James
Watercolors
Dredge
Irish music
Werewolves
The Verve Pipe
Working with Religion for Breakfast and the Religion Department has been super fun. I’ll be offering my paranormal survey seminar again next year, but in the meantime am prepping an intro to contemporary Paganism for the spring. #witchsky #religiousstudies
November 11, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Working with Religion for Breakfast and the Religion Department has been super fun. I’ll be offering my paranormal survey seminar again next year, but in the meantime am prepping an intro to contemporary Paganism for the spring. #witchsky #religiousstudies
Please Satan send me a therapist who takes insurance and didn’t get their credentials from a seminary
November 9, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Please Satan send me a therapist who takes insurance and didn’t get their credentials from a seminary
Its 2025 and we don’t get on social media and correct stranger‘s spelling and grammer anymore;
Try to restrain yourselves. There’s no prize for never mistyping on your phone, not having a shit keyboard that inserts errors, or even, for that matter, knowing more than someone else.
Try to restrain yourselves. There’s no prize for never mistyping on your phone, not having a shit keyboard that inserts errors, or even, for that matter, knowing more than someone else.
November 7, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Its 2025 and we don’t get on social media and correct stranger‘s spelling and grammer anymore;
Try to restrain yourselves. There’s no prize for never mistyping on your phone, not having a shit keyboard that inserts errors, or even, for that matter, knowing more than someone else.
Try to restrain yourselves. There’s no prize for never mistyping on your phone, not having a shit keyboard that inserts errors, or even, for that matter, knowing more than someone else.
Happy Fountain Pen Day to all who celebrate. Enjoy your local stationary shop and all of the great indie retailers online, many of which are having some great sales! Don’t give Amazon your money. 💙
November 7, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Happy Fountain Pen Day to all who celebrate. Enjoy your local stationary shop and all of the great indie retailers online, many of which are having some great sales! Don’t give Amazon your money. 💙