Issue #1: The Vendoquill Series Begins

Stories by Willy Martinez

Mind on Fire Books Merchant of Horror, Sci-Fi, and Fantasy Welcome, Dreamers and Story Seekers! If you're here, you believe—like I do—that stories have the power to transform, connect, and ignite our imaginations.   This month, I'm launching something special: The Vendoquill Series. It's a magical, multi-part adventure about Felix, a curious soul who discovers a mysterious book vending machine in the heart of the city. Each book dispensed by the Vendoquill - a book vending machine - unlocks a new world, guided by enigmatic curators and cryptic cards. If you love magical realism, puzzles, and emotional journeys, you're in the right place.   Read the First Story: The Invitation By Willy Martinez   In a city that feels like a rare refuge from the relentless pulse of modern life, an old vending machine stands quietly in a narrow alley—a relic from another era, its metal knobs worn smooth by countless hands. The faded paint hints at colors that once gleamed, and a faint, persistent hum vibrates in the air, a sound that seems to beckon only those willing to listen. Most passersby hurry past, eyes glued to screens, minds tangled in to-do lists, never noticing the machine's subtle invitation—a whisper from the 80s, promising something extraordinary to anyone who dares to pause.   But today, something shifts. Felix, a traveler restless for meaning and escape from the digital noise, finds himself inexplicably drawn to the alley. He's certain he's never seen this vending machine before, though he's walked this street a hundred times. The city's usual clamor fades, replaced by a hush that feels almost sacred. Felix slips out his earbuds, the music of the world replaced by the machine's low, electric purr. The air tingles with anticipation—a pressure, maybe, or just the kind of difference that makes the hairs on his arms stand up. He hesitates for only a heartbeat, then steps forward and presses the first button his fingers find.   The machine responds with a symphony of whirrs and clanks, echoing through the alley like a secret being unlocked. Felix peers into the drop slot and finds a book—its cover shifting between cracked leather, glossy jacket, and soft paperback, as if undecided about its own identity. He lifts it, feeling the weight of stories yet to be told, and for a moment, the world seems to hold its breath.   Time stretches and bends. Felix grins, and the alley transforms around him. The brick walls ripple and expand, morphing into a cozy outdoor lounge strung with glowing lanterns. The air is thick with the scent of cocoa beans and old paper. Hammocks sway gently between trees that weren't there a moment ago, each one cradling a reader lost in a book that's as unique as its reader—one grows pages endlessly, another glows with a gentle, golden light.   Felix settles into a hammock, surrendering to the surreal. The words in his book dance and rearrange, sometimes nonsensical, sometimes deeply meaningful. He's no longer just Felix; he's a traveler in a world ruled by feeling and absurdity, each story a labyrinth leading to new wonders. The boundaries between reality and imagination blur, and Felix lets himself drift, carried by the current of stories.   Hours slip by, or maybe it's only minutes—time is strange here. The lounge remains a sanctuary for those who seek solace in the strange and beautiful. Eventually, Felix looks up and meets the eyes of a woman across the room. She smiles, her book whispering secrets on the breeze.   In that moment, Felix understands: the true magic isn't just in the books, but in the connections they create. Here, in this hidden oasis, people discover more than stories—they find each other. Within the pages, they glimpse fragments of themselves and the infinite possibilities of life.   As Felix closes his book, relief and fulfillment wash over him. He is part of something beautiful, something creative, something more. The vending machine stands silent, its purpose fulfilled for now, while the lounge hums with quiet joy. In the heart of the city, a small corner thrives on the beauty of shared stories and the bonds of those who dream them.   And as Felix steps back into the city's flow, he carries with him the certainty that magic is real—for those willing to look, to listen, and to believe. What's Next? In the next issue, Felix meets the Archivist and embarks on a citywide puzzle. Get ready for a brand-new story, more interactive prompts, and another chance to shape the adventure alongside Felix. Will you help solve the riddles, discover hidden corners of the city, or even design your own curator card? The journey is just beginning, and your imagination is the key to unlocking what comes next. Thank you for joining us for the very first edition of the Mind on Fire Books newsletter. Your curiosity and creativity are what keep the stories burning bright. If you enjoyed this adventure, please share it with a friend, reply with your thoughts, or post your curator card on social media with #VendoquillAdventures. Every reply, idea, and dream helps our community grow and brings new magic to the pages.   Until next time—keep dreaming, keep reading, and remember: the world is full of hidden stories waiting for you to discover them. Warm wishes, Willy Martinez Mind on Fire Books Merchant of Horror, Sci-Fi, and Fantasy             Unsubscribe   |   Manage your subscription   |   View online Mind on Fire Books

On over-functioning and knowing when to stop trying so hard

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	Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more When Being a Good Friend Feels Like a Performance On over-functioning and knowing when to stop trying so hard Nina Badzin Jan 5   READ IN APP   Standing with my mom at Pumpz during her last visit to Minneapolis. Pumpz is a fabulous boutique in Edina, Minnesota, owned by my mother-in-law! Sometimes the answer is to stop trying so hard One of the listener questions my mom and I answered for her 6th appearance on Dear Nina has been sticking with me since I edited the episode. It came from someone who felt like she was constantly being evaluated as a friend—and falling short. She was second-guessing how she showed up, and the more she tried to “do friendship right” for this one person, the worse she felt. In this letter, the writer was put on the spot without warning at a mutual friend’s birthday dinner, when her friend said, “We should tell each other what we could each do better in the friendship.” WHAT!? Right there at someone else’s birthday event? That alone felt jarring. But what stayed with me was how quickly the letter writer internalized it. She didn’t push back on the timing. She didn’t question whether the request itself was a good idea. She tried to comply. Looking for one-on-one advice on your friendship dilemma? Yearly subscribers can email me one dilemma and get a personal response. Your letter will never be used in the newsletter. Upgrade to paid I understood why she went along with it, both personally and from more than a decade of hearing from listeners. Many of us were taught—explicitly or implicitly—that being a good friend (and a good person) means being accommodating. That if someone is unhappy, the solution is to adjust ourselves until they’re satisfied again. The letter writer tried to heed her friend’s complaint that she didn’t reach out enough. She made a real effort to reach out more, but the friend was often busy or would cancel, which was why she’d stopped reaching out so much in the first place. When we talked about this, my mom said something simple: put the ball back in your friend’s court. Tell her you’ve tried, and she’s not available. The writer wanted to know how to fix this, or if she “just doesn’t know how to be a friend.” I wondered if maybe she doesn’t know how to be a friend to this one impossible person, and whether the answer is to stop trying so hard. One thing I say often, and keep relearning myself, is that not every friendship is meant to be intimate. Some people function better in a lighter, looser part of your life. When we try to force closeness that isn’t compatible, we end up performing instead of connecting. And performance is exhausting. Just because someone has demands doesn’t mean you’re required to meet them. Friendship should feel like participation, not approval-seeking. Presence, not performance. And if you’ve been scrambling lately, trying to get it right to no avail, consider that the expectations set for you might be unreasonable. Yes, sometimes you DO need to make more effort in your friendships. But sometimes the person asking is asking for too much. Other topics my mom and I tackled in episode 179 (all in 25 minutes!) Milestone birthday expectations Uneven effort Friend group tension A group chat blowup Whether it’s “weird” to reach out after a very long gap since the last hangout What to do when a friend’s choices leave you conflicted and/or burdened (We slightly disagreed about this one.) Whether your romantic partner can also be your “best friend” Episode 179 with my mom! Listen to episode #179 on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, and anywhere you listen to podcasts! Books, Shows, & Recipes I’m Into These Days READING: First let me say, I do not read as quickly as I used to. The days of 50 books a year are no more. I finished 33 books in 2025. Not bad! But not like the old days. I’m still in the middle of Theo of Golden. It’s still pretty slow but people I trust are telling me to keep going. I’m reading and enjoying the novel A Complete Fiction by R.L. Maizes. Here is my updated 2025 reading list. And the new 2006 list. TV: I finished Emily in Paris, which feels like the same season over and over, but I will never stop watching it. I have nothing new to report on the cooking front except that I went through my recipes binder and took out anything I haven’t made in two years or that is clearly too aspirational at this point. It felt good! Two Anonymous Letters You Might Have Missed I Keep Showing Up, but I'm Not Making New Friends December 17, 2025 Read full story The Friend Who Can't Commit to Plans Nina Badzin · November 19, 2025 Read full story Let’s connect outside of this newsletter: You can find me most often in the Facebook group, Dear Nina: The Group. All the social media links are below. I know I need to get rid of some them! Instagram | TikTok | YouTube | LinkedIn | My Website You’re a free subscriber to Dear Nina: Conversations About Friendship. What do you get if you’re a paying subscriber!** Frustrated with some of your friends? You’re not alone! The anonymous letters are a perk for paying subscribers. You probably have a similar question. Upgrade any time. **Yearly subscribers can email me one detailed friendship issue and I will email you back personally. Upgrade to paid Share   Like Comment Restack   © 2026 Nina Badzin The Great Midwest Unsubscribe