You see, “gothic” has become a shorthand in the media for “depressed crazy person who is a ticking time bomb.” – The Lady of Manners [more]
Who is Jillian Venters?
Jillian is a Gothy woman (obviously) that writes the popular blog Gothic Charm School. She reminds us that for many being Goth is not a costume but a lifestyle. Jillian will be a guest columnist in the Winter 2009 English-language Gothic & Lolita Bible from TOKYOPOP! and will also be a panelist at Innocente Seraphim Gothic Lolita and Ball-Jointed Doll convention on August 8th, 2009.
Gothic Charm School: The Book
The Lady of Manners, Jillian Venters, author of Gothic Charm School read a few chapters of her new book to a primarily goth-leaning crowd at Powell’s Books. She was perched up on the wooden book platform behind the podium in a black and white striped dress, with little bows in her hair. We found out that, like most of us, she loves Powell’s Books and can usually be found in the horror section.
After sharing tidbits from the book, she opened up for some Q&A. The questions and answers are not verbatim but are a close approximation.
Q: Any tips for goths growing older?
A: Be aware of your age and wear a style that is appropriate. Also, have a good skincare regimen.
Q: What is your take on steampunk?
A: The style is nice, but why create a character persona? Just be yourself and wear the clothes.
Jillian figured the idea of creating a character for the outfit grew out of literature and other sub-cultures.
Q: At work, do you have a problem with people taking you seriously?
A: Generally, no. It was more of a problem working at Wizards of the Coast. But at Microsoft things are much better.
Q: What is a snarkling?
A: It comes from a combination of snarky and darling. Snarkling!
If you’re interested in finding out more about Jillian and the Gothic Charm School, she will be interviewed live on Glass of Win. The show will air on BlogTalkRadio August 13th. Show info here.
- The Goth Girl on Microspotting.
- Goth Wedding Etiquette on Offbeat Bride.
