“The toughest topics are often the ones we most need to brave.” —Alyssa Charpentier
ABOUT ALYSSA
Greetings! I’m Alyssa Charpentier, a fantasy author, essayist, and budding film critic passionate about powerful and thought-provoking stories.
My coming-of-age fantasy novella, A Maiden’s Wish, is a Kirkus Reviews Critic’s Pick and recipient of Literary Titan’s Gold Award. My debut novel, Daughter Darkness (the Myrk Maiden Trilogy #1), received Literary Titan’s Silver Award in 2022.
I am an active-duty U.S. Sailor who, when not salting my skin on the high seas, is likely plotting out my next written work, tinkering with sound in my digital music program, traveling Southern California and the Pacific/Inland Northwest, or ruminating endlessly about the techniques and themes in my favorite media.
ONGOING SERIES:
*The Myrk Maiden Trilogy, a dark, supernatural fantasy series
LATEST RELEASE:
*A Maiden’s Wish: A Novella, May 2024
ARTICLE AND ESSAY PUBLICATIONS:
I have written pop culture, film/music analysis, and travel articles for the following publications and magazines:
PopMatters, Film East, Go World Travel Magazine, Geeks Under Grace, Asian Movie Pulse, Today’s Christian Living Magazine, and G-FAN Magazine.
FILM CRITIQUING:
Like film? Have strong opinions about yesterday and today’s cinema? You might love my new film review and critiquing website, Stay Charp Cinema!
PUBLICATION PORTFOLIO
An archive of my published articles and essays
Volcano: A Subtly Brilliant, Half-Baked Disaster Epic
Film East
Did you forget about one of Tommy Lee Jones’s greatest movies? I didn’t. ;) This playful deep dive essay defends one of my childhood favorite films
GENRE: Film Analysis
Wallace, ID, the Tiny Idaho Town Hollywood ‘Destroyed’
Go World Travel Magazine
My first travel article! Explore the charming and underrated town of Wallace, ID, setting of the charming and underrated Dante’s Peak (1997)!
GENRE: Travel, Film
Tame Impala: The Champion of Introverts
PopMatters
An artist spotlight exploring the musically gifted introvert Kevin Parker of Tame Impala
GENRE: Music Analysis
Akane Yashiro: Nothing so Strong as Gentleness
Asian Movie Pulse
A character study on the quietly powerful heroine from Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla (2002)
GENRE: Film Analysis
Should Christians Watch The Simpsons?
Geeks Under Grace
A pop culture-engaged believer's take on America's favorite dysfunctional family
GENRE: Pop Culture Analysis
Surprising Parallels Between the King of Kaiju and King of Kings
Geeks Under Grace
An exploration of the striking similarities between God and Godzilla—must be read to be believed!
GENRE: Film Analysis
Hope Endures
Today’s Christian Living Magazine (July 2023)
(REQUIRES SUBSCRIPTION TO READ)
A testimonial piece about the youth-maintaining joy found in Christ
GENRE: Christian Culture
Godzilla—the Deity of Destruction
G-FAN Magazine (Issue #131)
(REQUIRES SUBSCRIPTION TO READ)
My first published article about the supernatural qualities in the King of the monsters
GENRE: Film Analysis
Godzilla and Fatherhood—the Family Structure
G-FAN Magazine (Issue #135)
(REQUIRES SUBSCRIPTION TO READ)
An article about Godzilla's paternal roles in the film series
GENRE: Film Analysis
Nefarious: A Game-Changer for the Christian Film Industry
Film East
A review of the 2023 theological horror/thriller, Nefarious
GENRE: Film Analysis
Godzilla Fan In Japan
G-FAN Magazine (Issue #135)
(REQUIRES SUBSCRIPTION TO READ)
An article detailing my kaiju-related adventures in Japan
GENRE: Travel, Film
Events, Appearances, and Conventions
G-FEST XXVII
July 15th—17th, 2022
Chicago, IL
With best-selling poet, Donny Winter (author of Carbon Footprint and Feats of Alchemy)
