Editor. From the Latin for “torturer of authors”
While the Alumières get chunks torn out of their manuscript, and their noses rubbed in the plot holes, I’m writing a short story with the working title “Laura’s Suitcase”.
It’s about a woman called Laura. And she has a…?
Correct!
For me, a working title is just the simplest possible reminder of the story I’m thinking about. I generally come up with the real titles last, because I don’t know for certain what a story’s tone will be until it’s finished. Where possible, I like to use a line or phrase from the story as the title.
The Alumière stories are the exception. I generally come up with the titles while I’m sketching out the story.
Weird.
This week’s Main Feature is “Peckish”, a flash fantasy about a hungry cat, and I round off this week’s newsletter with a bumper crop of recommendations, including where you can get some torture for yourself. Don’t miss it!
Peckish
This week’s flash fiction about a cat who finds a magical tree full of delicious birds is currently only available to newsletter subscribers.
Sorry.
Have you considered signing up for my free, no spam, no obligation newsletter? Do that here!
Oh, and…
Read!
Tim Waggoner is now offering a FREE ebook to subscribers to his newsletter, and it’s a doozy. Tim has been writing for years, and his newsletter is always crammed full of goodies. I’m subscribed and think you should be too. Sign up here for a free ebook!
Read!
I have read three good books in a row. That’s a new record. It’s not that there aren’t a lot of good books out there, it’s that I’m so fussy. So, if you’re searching for a book recommendation, check these out.
First, I read Performing Flea, which is P. G. Wodehouse’s collected letters. Loved it! Here’s my goodreads review.
Then I read Mark Stay’s The Ghost Of Ivy Barn. This is the third in his Witches of Woodville series, which keeps getting better. Loved it! Here’s my goodreads review.
And I just finished Nicole Cushing’s A Sick Gray Laugh, and feel like people have been hiding her from me. How come I’m only reading her now for the first time? This is a darker read, but still great, great fun. Loved it! Here’s my goodreads review.
Listen!
In a world which finds it ever harder to agree on anything, it’s a comfort to know there is one fact which remains indisputable:
Clutch rock!
To celebrate the release of their brand new album, there’s a 90 minute livestreamed video on YouTube right now. Make sure you stick around for the last song for an orgy of cow bell solos! (Because this is Clutch, that’s why!)
If you like what you hear, buy the album direct from the band here. (Only $5 for the digital album!)
Look!
Here’s a 3D Tour of a Torture Museum. It’s interesting enough, I suppose. What intrigues me is the lack of any real information on where it is, how they make their money, and why. Apart from a randomly uploaded Discovery channel logo, there’s very little information about this at all. Almost like they don’t want anyone to visit… Now, that’s scary.
Chat soon!
