Campfire Chronicles 2025
First and foremost, what a Summer Camp experience! Honestly, I never thought I’d make it to Diamond. There were moments when I felt stuck, drained, and convinced I might bottom out at Gold. Outside of worldbuilding, I’ve been holding onto a big promise to myself: to care for this body and mind. I work out five days a week, mixing cardio and strength training—it’s one of the few ways I fight back against an invisible disease that no one sees.
That said, there was a moment when I honestly thought, I can’t do this—mentally and physically exhausted. But I pushed through. I finished.
I also want to apologize to so many of you! I’ve heard from many that my pieces brought tears to your eyes—sometimes more than once. Believe me, I was crying while writing some of them. This is what I call soulwork: carving stories from my own experiences and pouring pieces of myself into my work. It’s more than storytelling—it’s building my world with heart and memory.
Catgirl me by Sorianna
Echoes of Imagination
This piece right here had magic in it, there was something here about these frogs that sparked an image so clearly in my mind, I really enjoyed Valkea River Frog’s piece. The way she describes “the eggs hatch into jewel-toned, deep blue tadpoles” is incredibly vivid — as an artist, I’m very visual, and this description painted a magical image in my mind. Even though she mentions the piece is unpolished and unfinished for Summer Camp 2025, it still holds a strong, almost mystical power.
Similarly, Serukis’s pieces always stand out to me. The small, precise details they include consistently capture my imagination visually, making their work memorable and evocative.
Follow Etrea
Follow Etrea
The Grix is a place I stumbled upon with a sense of wonder — there is so much here. The world is crawling with wonderfully written ideas, and the style in which they flow sparks my imagination in countless directions.
The Word-Worm stands out in particular. The concept is incredibly imaginative — these creatures grow to ten feet long aren't worms they centipedes with bad attitudes and they eat books. It’s not just their destructive ability to destroy libraries that stuck with me, but the vivid image I formed of a giant Word-Worm being ridden through a sea of endless stacks.
Reading this piece takes you on a journey, allowing you to pause, ask questions, and fully enjoy the entry. It’s truly enchanting. I’m pretty sure I’m I signed a Contract for VariableX somewhere in this world.
Follow Perpetuarium
Follow Perpetuarium
Demongrey is such a captivating writer — I’m always fascinated by the worlds they create. The Million Islands series always transports me to new and imaginative places. In fact, I once painted one of their islands because I was so deeply inspired.
This year’s piece, Bottled Sleep, stood out among many of their well-written works. It’s unique in that it feels both useful and dangerous at once. The opening quote immediately grabs you, reminding you there’s nothing more potent than the scent of sleep. As you read on, you’re pulled deeper into the story, discovering the darker side of this bottled sleep.
The pacing kept me hooked, and I found myself vividly imagining the marketplace the author describes — a place where people could become addicted to these mysterious bottles. It’s a haunting and immersive read.
Follow: The Million Islands
I love the way this piece is written, especially how it uses the passage of time to show how the Ritual for the Blessings of Spring evolved over the years. Each entry gives insight into how the ritual, introduced by foreigners, transformed—from the pails of water to the pole dance—and how, in the end, the children became the true blessing of the ceremony.
The imagery here really stood out to me. It inspires me to try writing something in this style—building a story that unfolds and changes over time.
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Imagica once again brings her warmth and culinary skill into both storytelling and food. I had a hard time choosing just one of her articles to read—her worlds, Crux Umbra and Kena'an, are both fantastic places brimming with creativity.
In the end, The Sunfire Loaf won me over—perhaps because I was hungry, and perhaps because I miss carbs (I’m currently sticking to foods that cause less inflammatory response for me). Either way, this bread feels like a staple worth traveling for, and it even has its own festival! I want to go!
There’s so much to enjoy here, from the cultural roots of the bread to the wonderfully named Crusting Festival. Who wouldn’t want to attend? And I have to mention the opening quote by Chef Guzzo—he’s one of my favorites in Kena'an.
Follow: Kena'an
The World of Levis always enchants me—from the demon cats to Asmo’s beautifully shared prose. There’s something deeply beautiful about it all.
Wildflower Season perfectly captures that feeling when the whole world is in bloom. Everything feels alive, as if the pulse of the earth itself beats at that moment, and you can soak it in like it’s the perfect day you’ve stumbled upon—just bursting with life.
I’m definitely inspired to paint a mini landscape of what my mind conjures from this piece—all those beautiful wildflower days I’ve seen. Once again, Asmo has crafted a piece rich with imagery and feeling
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Limitul, Flower Turtles by Blue Fairy was such a beautiful read. I love when I get the chance to explore pieces like this that open up a world of wonder. The story begins through the eyes of a child, observing the turtles from above the water, instantly creating a sense of magic and awe. You can truly be in the moment and soak in that wonder.
These turtles are the only ones who decorate their shells with corals, and I imagine whole little ecosystems living on their backs—microscopic life thriving as they glide through the seas. This piece brought me so much joy, and the accompanying artwork made me equally happy.
Follow ELAQITAN
Follow ELAQITAN
I absolutely adore Sabrina K. Mercury. She was my cheerleader throughout Summer Camp—there for me in moments when I doubted myself and struggled to write. I love how sensory-rich her imagination is and how beautifully her pieces enhance the worlds she creates. Someone recently said world-building was procrastination, but I don’t feel that way at all. What Sabrina has created is an immersive place where stories truly breathe. The Gravewhisper Moth is no exception. The detailed life cycle and the sparkling iridescent wings come alive in my mind. I can easily picture a scene where someone stands near the Mournshade flowers, lost in thought, as these elegant creatures flitter by. Her own quote at the end says it all:
“The flower feeds the moth. The moth carries the memory. And nothing is wasted.”
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The Dream Chaperone was something truly special. I love the concept, the care in the idea, and how it all came together. Those who take on this role train for several years to develop the skills needed to help others in the realm of dreams. A Dream Chaperone can soothe someone plagued by nightmares, and, in some cases, help defend against dream stalkers—creatures that feed on people’s dreams. They even teach the dreamer how to protect themselves, ensuring the threat is defeated. It’s a rich, imaginative idea, and the piece itself is deeply intriguing. Follow Prismundi
Caribou Hash! Gods, this piece made me so hungry—I’m still hungry just thinking about it. Keon is a verbose, imaginative writer, and I’ve really enjoyed the pieces I’ve read so far, though I still have many more to explore. To summarize, as Keon says, no two Caribou Hash recipes are the same. Each one carries a unique set of flavors shaped by what’s available to the clan or family. The piece opens by setting the scene, discussing the Caribou’s taste and how the flavor falls between deer and moose. The narrator even humorously credits himself as a grandmaster chef in this tradition. As you read further, you get a delightful piece of prose describing a grandmother cooking Caribou Hash with her grandchildren. The playful competition where the winner who finds the right ingredient gets two pieces of pie made me smile—and made me want pie, too Follow Adventures in Valerick
Reflections
The Reft Silkn by Sorianna Choate
Snowpetal by Sorianna Choate
Dragon Rider by Sorianna Choate
Little lost Star by Sorianna Choate
The Weaver by Sorianna Choate
The ghoul by Sorianna Choate
Snow Lily
Emberkin by Sorianna Choate
Scarside Cliffs by Sorianna Choate
Cordivex by Sorianna Choate
Sir surlin by Sorianna Choate
Entwined by Sorianna Choate
Thank you for including Bottled Sleep in your list! You have been one of my favorite authors this Summer Camp, and I'm honored that you included my article.
Thank you and I am so honored you enjoyed my pieces this summer camp, I truly enjoyed yours! I also look forward to the next adventure and place your writing will take me.