We are excited to announce the return of the Muggles Market, just in time for Valentine’s Day! This year’s theme is Muggles Market: Love and Plunder, combining our adoration of pirates and love. As usual, you have a wonderful opportunity to get to know our artists, writers, artisans, and entertainment through our Muggles Market Spotlights.
Nicole Kurtz of Mocha Memoirs Press is a long time friend of our Muggles Markets. We asked Nicole a few questions about their life, work, and what treasures they’ll be bringing to Muggles Market: Love and Plunder.
Please tell us all about the plunder you’ll be bringing to Muggles Market.
Mocha Memoirs Press will bring diverse horror, science fiction, and fantasy titles to the market. Our mission is to amplify marginalized voices in speculative fiction! This includes queer voices as well as BIPOC. Scary stories, fantastic stories, futuristic stories, we have it all.
How did you get started making your glorious plunder?
Mocha Memoirs Press started in July 2010 with the singular goal of publishing work by those underrepresented in science fiction, fantasy, and horror genres. We wanted stories where other identities and individuals were centered. This mission continues to this day.
What’s an item you are bringing that you are really excited about?
I’m most excited about bringing our latest anthology, BLACKENED ROOTS: An Anthology of the Undead to the event. It’s co-edited by myself and Nightlight Black Horror Podcast owner, Tonia Ransom. We’re looking at non-traditional zombie stories written by authors from the African diaspora.
What else would you like everyone to know about your wares?
Mocha Memoirs Press titles are for everyone. Representation is important not just for those who are being represented, but also for those who aren’t centered in the story. Beyond gender identity, race, ableness, and ethnicity, we’re all human and at their core, our stories explore humanity.
What’s your favorite love or pirate story and why?
My favorite love story is The Crow with Brandon Lee. It’s heartbreaking on the surface, but the love is so strong, not even death can break it. That’s beautiful. I love it so much.
You can find Mocha Memoirs Press on the interwebs! They do accept pre-orders. You can place pre-orders on their website store, and note in the comments that you will be picking the book at Muggles Market.
Their website: http://www.mochamemoirspress.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MochaMemoirsPress
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mochamemoirspress/
And, of course, you will meet them in person at Muggles Market: Love and Plunder on Sunday February 5, 2023 from 10:00AM to 4:00PM at Queen’s Sports Complex, 2229 Tyvola Rd. Charlotte, NC 28210! It’s always a good time for pirates! So dress in your finest, sea-worthy garb, and come check out these awesome treasures!