Watcher's Diary #21: Eagles of Unusually Large Size

In this heartfelt and humorous episode of Buffering the Vampire Slayer's Watcher's Diary, hosts Kristen Russo and Jenny Owen Youngs celebrate the one-year anniversary of their collaborative book, reflecting on the emotional, chaotic, and joyful journey of writing and publishing it. They share personal memories from the book release weekend at Sunnydale High School, including a giant cardboard cutout of Kristen that crowd-surfed, a surprise visit from a fan dressed as Pat handing out empanadas, and a touching moment when their audiobook producer joined via Zoom to connect Kristen's live face with her cardboard counterpart. The hosts open up about their creative processes, with Kristen revealing that the most emotionally intense chapter—on private divorce—was the most immersive for her, while Jenny reflects on her reluctance to put her story in print. They also discuss their upcoming 10th-anniversary celebration in October, their love for children's books like *Good Dog Carl* and *Into the Goblin Market*, and the deep personal resonance of stories that affirm identity and self-acceptance. The episode closes with a warm, candid farewell, underscoring their enduring friendship and creative partnership.