Photo by Mireyah Wolfe Photography*(link site)
About
Ren Basel (they/them/their) is an independent media researcher, author, and artist who resides in North Florida, USA.
The Queen of Cups
A mysterious woman known only as The Oracle resides on the seashore, blessing ships and telling fortunes for those who can pay her price. For new-made ship captain Theo Marinos, the price is higher than it first seems.If Theo has any hope of surviving their ship’s first voyage, they must trust not just in The Oracle, but in themself–for the journey is long, and the ocean’s tests are many.
Now In Production
Horsin' Around in a Gay Way: A Queer Analysis of BoJack Horseman
A video essay breaking down queer themes in the Netflix animated series from creator Raphael Bob-Waksberg.
Join my Discord server! Basic "no bigotry, no jerk behavior" rules apply. This server is geared toward creators of all kinds to hang out, talk shop, and self-promo, as well as for folks to keep up with my various projects and updates. If you're an artsy person, or just like supporting artsy people, come join us!
Commissions
Pay me to write about a topic of your choice!Provide me with a topic related to my areas of interest, and I’ll share my expertise, opinions, and insights. My areas of interest/expertise include speculative fiction (sci-fi/fantasy), fiction writing, literature studies, television & film studies, media censorship, animation, and pop/fandom culture.Note: You choose the topic, not the angle. You can’t pay me to write any amount on the topic, “why Ren’s favorite thing is actually bad,” or, “why Ren’s least-favorite politician is actually a superhero.” I reserve the right to refuse any commission for any reason, with money refunded where necessary. I retain full credit and ownership of my writing—meaning I don’t do homework and I don’t do ghostwriting.Examples of my work can be found at this link.
Rates
$25 USD for 500 words.
Up to 3k words @ $0.05 USD per word.
Over 3k words @ $0.15 per word.
Over 5k words @ $0.20 per word.
Rates calculated using the IWW Freelance Journalists Union rate sheet. Writers of the world unite!Payment processed via PayPal or Venmo. Final product will be emailed to you as a PDF, and cross-posted to my tumblr blog and Patreon page along with other platforms as I see fit.Email me at renniequeer@gmail.com to commission today!
Turnaround Times
I’m disabled and have inconsistent energy levels, so turnaround times may vary depending on my health.At minimum, 500 word essays typically take me about a week, 3k takes about two weeks, and 5k papers take about a month.If there are any unexpected delays to my work, health-related or otherwise, I will email you with an updated turnaround estimate as needed.
À La Carte
Can’t think of a topic but still want to hire me? Here’s a list you can choose from!
General 500 Word Topics
500 words doesn’t give me much space, so these commissions are great for getting my basic thoughts and opinions on a topic.
You can use the following list as simple prompts on their own, or as a springboard to come up with your own, more specific prompt.
Science Fiction
Fantasy
Worldbuilding
Self-Publishing
Animation
Tabletop Gaming
Cosplay and Costuming
Media Representation
Media Preservation
Media Piracy
Censorship
Purity Culture
Labor Rights in the Entertainment Industry
Queer Media History
Fandom
3k Essay Prompts
These topics require a little more space to dig into, so I need at least 3,000 words to do them justice.
You can also request any of the prompts from the 500 word prompt list for a more robust essay on the topic.
Always Watch the Background Actors: How Learning Stage Combat Improved My Moviegoing Experience
Animation and Musicals: Misunderstood Non-Genres
Draw from the Heart: Using Familiar Settings to Craft New Worlds
Worldbuilding: Avoiding the Planet of Hats Trope
Worldbuilding: Utilizing Elements of Culture
5k Research Paper Topics
These are the big topics that will require research, citations, and several long weeks of work.
I can write as much on the topic as you want, but it must be at least 5,000 words.
You can also request any of the prompts from the 500 word or 3k word prompt lists for more robust essays on the topic.
Killing the Cat: Violence Against the Vulnerable as Sloppy Narrative Shorthand
It Wasn't a Damn Door: Why Jack Dawson Had to Die
Bury Your Gays on Solstheim: Queer Representation in the Elder Scrolls
Invisibility or the Freakshow: Intersex Representation on American Television
The Nuke in the Room: Political Allegory in Samurai Jack
Payment Installments & Discount Options
Times are rough for everyone. If you would like to hire me but can’t afford to pay all at once, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me about paying in installments! Details can be discussed on an individual basis.For a 15% discount, you may also email me with proof that you have requested my short story, The Queen of Cups, at your local library! For a 25% discount, submit proof that you have requested both my short story, The Queen of Cups, and my wife’s novel, The Last Girl Scout.
Support Me
Patreon
Free updates on Fridays, subscriber updates on Tuesdays.
Amazon Wishlists
Things my family needs but can't afford.
Candle Shop
Homemade beeswax candles with no scents or dyes.
Tip Me
Just to help out.
Ko-Fi ⬥ PayPal: renniequeer@gmail.com ⬥ Venmo: @renniequeer ⬥ CashApp: $renniequeer