Allison O'Toole

@allisonmotoole

Editor of Ignatz & Eisner award-winning books. Publisher of @balustradepress.bsky.social. Kickstarter Community Advisory Council Member. She/her. icon by @sophiepaaslang.bsky.social, banner art by @mkchibs.bsky.social | learn more: www.allisonotoole.com

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Allison O'Toole@allisonmotoole· Jul 7

This is a nice sentiment to hold onto when we're faced constantly with AI slop (and honestly, a lot of weird stuff that comes from living our lives so much Online). Real words and ideas and creativity come from having a body and being out in the world! www.theguardian.com/books/ng-int...

There are two broad models in linguistics, explains Stockwell, one that sees the brain as a computer, parsing grammatical structures and computing meaning from them, and the other that sees it as fundamentally embodied, something reflected in language by the fact that, in many languages, we understand by “seeing” or tend to think of “up”, where our head is, as good (we get “high” and feel “low”). “One of the key things is that the current AIs don’t have a body, they don’t exist in the world, so they don’t know what it feels like to be in the world as a human.”

For Shteyngart, feeling is essential: “Today is the first warm day in New York. And if I was to start writing a novel, I think that [it] would be warmer. I think I would filter what I know through the warmth of the day. I think if I ate a really wonderful lunch and sat down to write, there would be more sensuousness in my writing.”

“The love of the body and its encounters with the physical world are what drives some of the best of literature. So I almost feel sorry for these LLMs, as I’m talking about them, because they’re pushed into some horrible machine in the Bay Area, and they just don’t know how wonderful life is.”

Allison O'Toole@allisonmotoole· Jul 6

Abdullah was a pro football player, but he can't play now, so he can't afford to buy food for his children (this is his daughter, Sham). During the World Cup, please share and donate to his campaign so he can feed his family gofund.me/135fa0741

A smiling man and his young daughter smiling into the camera during a day at the beach

Allison O'Toole@allisonmotoole· Jun 29

Sometimes I think I'm just moving normally through the world and then someone will remark that I'm doing something unusual, or at least notable, like having the Wikipedia App on my phone. I think "I'm normal" and then I look at the list of tabs I've left open over the past few months...

A screenshot of open tabs in the Wikipedia phone app. Recent searches are, in order: The Scapegoat (Daphne Du Maurier novel), soju, figure skating at the 2014 winter Olympics, Julius Fromm, burning bush, Philippine eagle, panettone, Tristan, death of a salesman, and hair clip.

Allison O'Toole@allisonmotoole· Apr 20

I can't believe with still have PET COMMISSIONS by @megacarter.bsky.social available on the @kickstarter.com for Iron Barge 2!!! Aren't these the cutest??? Get your own AND a copy of the comic before it's too late!!! www.kickstarter.com/projects/meg...

a black and white illustration of a Corgi blissed out in a beach chair, wearing sunglasses and a Hawaiian shirt

a digital illustration of a brown, striped, long-haired cat wearing a tactical vest and holding a knife in its mouth. There are two black speech balloons above the cat's head, one is a heart and the other is a skull.

Allison O'Toole@allisonmotoole· Apr 9

We've got our dress rehearsal tonight before tomorrow's opening night!!! We've been working really hard on the first-ever production by Hitch Theatre Company!! If you're in Toronto, come see the show--three performances only!

A brunette with glasses smiles at the camera, sitting backstage in a theatre with a stage monitor behind her and a script open on a podium in front of her

Two actors on a stage in fancy costumes are on either side of the stage manager, speaking while walking and looking at a script in a binder in her arms

Allison O'Toole@allisonmotoole· Mar 27

Hey Toronto friends--I'm stage managing a community theatre play for the first time ever! It's a brand-new theatre company, and we're doing a gender-bent production of ROPE, the basis for Alfred Hitchcock's gayest movie! Only 3 performances, don't miss out! www.eventbrite.com/e/rope-a-hit...

A dark red poster with yellow text reading: Hitch Theatre Company Presents: Rope. April 10th and 11th at the Alumnae Theatre at 70 Berkeley Street in Toronto, Ontario. Based on "Rope" by Patrick Hamilton. Adapted and Directed by Kate Stephens and Keira Millin

Allison O'Toole@allisonmotoole· Mar 20

For Eid, please consider donating to Abdullah and his family so they can celebrate today www.gofundme.com/f/save-me-an...

Allison O'Toole@allisonmotoole· Mar 2

In a fit of procrastination, I did a new copy edit on this zine from last year; I forgot to share it for Valentine's Day, but if you're still looking for love, you can download my Beginner's Guide to Monster Kissing movies for PWYC on Gumroad! allisonotoole.gumroad.com/l/monster-ki...

The cover of the zine! In the centre is a screenshot from The Shape of Water of a woman with her hands against a tank containing a humanoid fish man. They look at each other longingly through the glass. The Title of the zine is: So you've seen The Shape of Water...A beginner's guide to monster kissing movies

screenshot from Tsui Hark's Green Snake. Two women in are sitting very close to each other in the grass, surrounded by huge flowers. One, in a pink dress, looks down, deep in thought. The other, in a teal dress, looks at her sister in concern

A screenshot from Agnieszka Smoczynska's The Lure. Three mermaids are snuggled together on a dingy grey bed beneath a disco ball (it's a weird movie). The one in the middle wears a dramatic red wig, and holds the other, younger mermaids protectively. The younger ones are suckling from the older one's breasts.

Screenshot from Jean Cocteau's Beauty and the Beast. Belle, a beautiful young woman, looks in a mirror, listening intently as the cat-like beast, in flamboyant dress and cape, holds up a key and gives her instructions on how to return to her family.

Allison O'Toole@allisonmotoole· Feb 14

I haven't been able to stop thinking about the men's free skate yesterday and I understand /why/ the focus is on Ilia's narrative--my heart breaks for him, too--but I don't think we should lose site of the person who ACTUALLY won the gold medal!! Congrats, Misha!!!

A photo of figure skater Mikhail Shaidorov with text proclaiming his win of the Olympic gold medal in figure skating!

Figure skater Mikhail Shaidorov in a hoodie next to a statue of Po from Kung Fu Panda in Beijing, China. Mikhail is copying the panda's pose with one leg kicked way up in the air

Allison O'Toole@allisonmotoole· Feb 14

If you're in the US, it's probably geo-blocked because of NBC's licensing; his name is Daniel Grassl if that helps!

Daniel Grassl dressed as a Catholic cardinal in his 2025 free skate to the Conclave soundtrack

Allison O'Toole@allisonmotoole· Dec 23

Abdullah wants to move his family out of this tent; he's found a place but he needs funds to pay rent. Please share and donate if you can! www.gofundme.com/f/save-me-an...

Allison O'Toole@allisonmotoole· Nov 25

Sham and Zain need money for school and for food; please share and donate to their father's campaign if you can. Abdullah was a professional soccer player and his career has obviously been derailed www.gofundme.com/f/save-me-an...

Allison O'Toole@allisonmotoole· Oct 14

Yippee!! Can't wait to dig into this first book from @bonedustpress.bsky.social !

An e-reader showing a grey scale cover of a book called The Traitor & The Wretch by Jasmine Walls and Rowan MacColl

Allison O'Toole@allisonmotoole· Oct 1

I'm debuting a new zine at Little Ghosts Festival in Toronto this weekend!!! If you'd like a physical copy on fancy pink paper~ come pick it up! But for folks outside the city, you can grab it for pay-what-you-want at my Gumroad: allisonotoole.gumroad.com/l/monster-ki...

o you've seen The Shape of Water... A beginner's guide to monster kissing movies, by Allison O'Toole. There's a screenshot from the movie of a lady looking lovingly at a fish man in a tube

A screenshot shows a beautiful woman in a tiara looking into a mirror next to a hairy Beast in a lavish, fairytale outfit. Beneath the image, text reads:
This is not to criticize Jean Marais’s committed, animalistic performance, however; I just want to point out that he’s probably the gentlest simp in this whole zine. Belle notices this, too, even before she’s realized she loves him: “he’s more cruel to himself than he is to human beings.” He wants to hunt down deer and laps up water with his tongue, but she can see past his teeth and claws to the gentle man inside. And when that man makes his appearance at the end, he remarks that (like many of us) Belle seems to miss The Beast.

2. The Snow Woman (Tanaka, 1968)

The Snow Woman is a gorgeous adaptation of a classic Japanese ghost story that was also featured in Kwaidan. The tale tells of a man whose life is spared by a yuki-onna (literally snow woman, a kind of spirit) on the condition that he never mentions her to anyone else. When a beautiful woman named Yuki shows up in town, he marries her and they have a son together. But anyone who knows folktales knows this can’t have a happy ending. This film is an expanded version of the story, with more time to explore Yuki’s humanity and the barriers to her having the normal family life she desires. She heals the sick, supports her artisan husband...

Allison O'Toole@allisonmotoole· Sep 25

Gonna be at LITTLE GHOSTS FEST next weekend!! So I'm working on a new lil zine....

A skeleton half-covered in a ghost sheet rocking out on a pentagram table while other creatures check out books and other wares. Text reads:
Saturday & Sunday October 4 & 5, 12 pm to 5 pm: Little Ghosts Festival! Vendors, readings, panels, short horror films. Tranzac Club, 232 Brunswick Ave. Visit www.littleghostsbooks.com for more info

So you've seen The Shape of Water... A beginner's guide to monster kissing movies, by Allison O'Toole. There's a screenshot from the movie of a lady looking lovingly at a fish man in a tube

Allison O'Toole@allisonmotoole· Sep 10

I’m thrilled to share that I’m once again joining @kickstarter.com's Community Advisory Council for 2025! I'm excited to work with other incredible creators across categories, and to represent the amazing folks creating comics on Kickstarter. Together we can make the platform better for everyone!

A black & white photo of a smiling woman with short hair and glasses. Text above the image reads: Kickstarter Community Advisory Council 2025. Allison O'Toole: comics.

Allison O'Toole@allisonmotoole· Aug 24

I'll be at Fan Expo Canada today, talking about editing comics with @heatherantos.bsky.social and @hellocookie.bsky.social !! Come see our panel if you have burning questions about spreadsheets :)

Image text reads: 11:30 A.M. Editing for comics. Different comics editors discuss their roles in the industry, how they differ, expectations, and tips on how to break in. Bill Morrison, Heather Antos, Allison O'Toole, Stephanie Cooke.

Allison O'Toole@allisonmotoole· Aug 9

My friend Abdullah was shot in the foot on his way to get aid. He has two young children, Zain and Sham, and they need to eat. Please donate if you can, no amount is too small!! www.gofundme.com/f/save-me-an...

A screenshot from an Instagram video of a man in a hospital bed with a cast on his foot. Text on the video reads "While I was on my way to get aid from the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, Netzarim Point, I was shot in the foot. Please help me and save my family so they can get food."

Allison O'Toole@allisonmotoole· Aug 8

Just read EVERYTHING DEAD AND DYING #1 by @tatebrombal.bsky.social @thatjacobphillips.bsky.social @pipmartin.bsky.social & @adityab.net and I have CHILLS. Absolutely fantastic, character-driven storytelling, you won't want to miss it! Order by FOC on Monday, Aug 11!! imagecomics.com/comics/relea...

white cursive text reads "Everything Dead and Dying" with the names Brombal, Phillips, Martin, and Bidikar. Image is in calming pastel colours, a man on a peaceful farm milking a zombie cow

Allison O'Toole@allisonmotoole· Aug 7

A side effect of this is that we've been calling Poppy "Special Agent Dale Pooper" (she's used to nicknames, she'll respond to basically anything)

A small black and tan dog sitting in front of a tree. She's got her mouth open and her ears are relaxed, she looks happy

Allison O'Toole@allisonmotoole· Aug 6

Listen idk why I'm engaging with this opinion piece at all but this is an absolutely smooth brain take on Howl's Moving Castle over at screen rant

None of this, of course, is unique to Howl’s Moving Castle. Studio Ghibli movies rarely ever take the time to fully explain their stories and worldbuilding, with films like Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke being prime examples, and they’re usually still beloved for their charm and the great execution of what little the audience can understand.

That being said, it simply doesn’t work for Howl’s Moving Castle; the film sets up a far more detailed narrative than other Studio Ghibli films, yet it fails to deliver on it at every turn, so any attempts at relying on charm and whimsy don’t work when there should be far more work being put into fleshing out the story.

Allison O'Toole@allisonmotoole· Aug 5

Ok finally watched Ikiru

A picture of two men holding hands; they're meant to look friendly but they look very serious about their pose. The original text is in WordArt but has been pasted over with a more traditionally meme-friendly impact font, so the text now reads "Friendship regain with Akira Kurosawa, Kurosawa and Ozu both are my best friends

Allison O'Toole@allisonmotoole· Jul 28

Abdullah used to be a pro soccer player, and now he's begging for our help to save his children. Please share and donate if you can www.gofundme.com/f/save-me-an...

Allison O'Toole@allisonmotoole· Jul 22

Abdullah needs food and medicine for his kids, and he's been having a very difficult time reaching anyone to share or support his campaign. Please, please share this for him! www.gofundme.com/f/save-me-an...

A baby sitting on the floor with an empty can of formula

Allison O'Toole@allisonmotoole· Jul 22

Sary and Nada were able to buy flour for the first time in a while, but they don't know how long it will last! Please share and donate to their campaign so they can keep their family fed www.gofundme.com/f/aid-nadas-...

A young boy in the rubble of his home holding a sign that reads "Palestine tomorrow will be free"

Allison O'Toole@allisonmotoole· Jun 12

I've also updated my last zine, Rogues Gallery, to PWYC. This one's an illustrated essay about why villains are hot, spotlighting some of my personal fav examples. allisonotoole.gumroad.com/l/rogues-gal...

Text reads: Rogues Gallery: notes on villains I'd like to smooch, by Allison O'Toole. There's a collage of men from different media properties over the years, including Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Loki from the MCU films, Sesshomaru from Inu Yasha, Mds Mikkelsen as Hannibal in the TV show, Tony Soprano, Norman Bates, Lestat de Lioncourt from the Interview with the Vampire TV show, the Phantom of the Opera (from the stage musical, not any of the film versions), and Lalo Salamanca from Better Call Saul.

The boy collage is surrounded by hearts and doodles, including some versions of "Mrs." in different cursive fonts, like someone practicing her future signature in a school notebook

Text amidst some doodles, including some little pink hearts and a super S: If you're Extremely Online (tm) like me, you've probably seen discussions about how the media we consume impacts our real lives. Stories can expose us to new viewpoints and experiences, changing how we understand ourselves or other people. Children are especially influenced by stories and whether they seem themselves reflected in them. Adults aren't immune to the effects of media--humans generaly lean through narratives more than data--but in general, I wish we could put more trust in grown-ups to differentiate between fiction and reality.

One area I'm especially invested in is the alluring bad guy. Despite (or even because of) the terrible things they do, we can't stop writing fic and essays defending charismatic villains like Hannibal Lecter, Spike from Buffy, and all the babes in haute couture on Sailor Moon. This zine is about a small handful of my favourites and some of the reasons we find them so dang attractive.

To start with the obvious: fictional characters don't have the capacity to cause real harm to real people. Stories with toxic viewpoints and messaging can be dangerous, but characters by themselves cannot--and a story is much bigger than individual characters. I think Online has reframed media criticism in the past decade so that stories become nothing more than a list of things that happen to a character. In this mindset, storytelling decisions must only be made to get characters from point A to B... (end of page).

Allison O'Toole@allisonmotoole· Jun 12

I've added my newest zine as a PWYC PDF to my Gumroad store! It's a short zine about some of my favourite strange museums. allisonotoole.gumroad.com/l/museum-zine

A black and white cover of a zine. There is an ornately patterned (clearly hand-traced) frame around a white text box that reads, in hand-lettered font: The Seven Most Peculiar Museums I Have Visited (so far) by Allison O'Toole

There is a black and white line drawing of an ugly baby from a Renaissance painting (honestly, my illustration looks less upsetting than the original) in the bottom left corner. Otherwise, it's just text, which reads:
My partner, Jeff, and I met on a trivia team. We love to hang on to fun facts about pop culture, but also about the weird world around us. This means that I’ll stop and read every historical plaque in my path; during the writ-ing of this zine, I learned that we live near the apart-ment where the “last Grand Duchess of Imperial Russia” died.
When we travel, I want to try new food, visit historic landmarks, and see natural landscapes, but no trip is complete without a few museums! I love to learn, but as an editor, I’m interested in curation and the way infor-mation is presented. How do the pieces in an exhibit speak to each other, or enhance our understanding of a subject, especially across multidisciplinary lines?
We all enjoy collecting snapshots of ugly babies in Re-naissance paintings in art galleries, but some of the most memorable museum visits are the ones that take an unusual approach to subject, presentation, or both. When I come home, strange museums are often the ex-periences I most want to tell people about. So this zine is a bit of a travellogue, focused on some museums I’ve visited and my particular memories of them.
Some were chosen because of their subject matter, and others for the unique sensations I had when visiting; in all cases, I felt like I had sidestepped daily life was visiting a weird little pocket of a slightly differ-ent reality.

Allison O'Toole@allisonmotoole· Jun 6

Arkan just witnessed bombs landing just outside his home, he's scared and hungry. Please help his family, share and donate! www.gofundme.com/f/aid-nadas-...

Allison O'Toole@allisonmotoole· Jun 6

Abdullah is desperate and has been having an impossible time finding people to donate to his kids who need food and medicine; his son Zain needs allergy treatments, and they can't even afford bread. Please share and donate as widely as you can! www.gofundme.com/f/save-me-an...

Allison O'Toole@allisonmotoole· Jun 5

Thank you to @jasonloo.bsky.social who recommended I trace for the illustrations, it made my life easier!! You can cheat and still make bad art even without AI 😎