Trips Down Memory Lane
Art by Philippe Druillet
We’re officially in Mercury Retrograde until October 2nd and I’m writing this newsletter underneath the light of a Pisces Full Moon. Makes this newsletter more mystical and astrologically charged or one can hope. During this retrograde, I plan on digging my heels into revising Project Bullet Baby a little deeper, reflecting on life, and taking things slow. I’m just about done revising Project Hum and plan to turn that in before I write the next newsletter.
This week I’ve been thinking about my audacity in the early writing days. When I was around 17, I sent some of my flash fiction and prose poems to Ramsey Campbell. I did this multiple times until Campbell kindly told me to stop for legal reasons. He was kind and remains one of my favorite short story writers to this day, but looking back, I wish someone told me to stop. I don’t want people sending me short stories non-stop, especially if I barely know them. Don’t do what I did, it’s annoying and immature.
The other annoying thing I used to do was contact writers to see if I could read their first published short story. Most people were super cool about this and it helped motivate me, seeing just how far they came. The only prominent occasion I remember was asking Caitlin R. Kiernan and she was kind of defensive, but I don’t blame her. There are a lot of weirdos on the internet and I was probably asking in an awkward way. She did eventually let me see it and let me tell you, she was writing her ass off from the jump.
I used to email Gary McMahon and Simon Strantzas short stories back in the day. Keep in mind, this was well before my bizarro era. I was writing nothing but cosmic horror in the vein of Thomas Ligotti, Mark Samuels, T.E.D. Klein, D.F. Lewis, and Arthur Machen. Most of these were bloated stories with purplish prose. McMahon gave me great advice throughout the years and encouragement. Strantzas actually gave me super helpful edits on a lot of these stories and helped me work out a lot of embarrassing kinks in my writing back then.
Around this time, I wrote this cosmic horror novelette called “The Tides of Wind,” which was 10,000 words riffing off Algernon Blackwood and Machen. This was a monumental achievement for me especially considering the fact that I struggled to write a short story longer than 2,000 words. Strantzas read multiple versions of this story and gave me helpful notes. I think it’s stuck on a hardrive somewhere collecting dust. Maybe I’ll revise it if I can find it.
Don’t forget to peep the newest issue of Currents where I’m interviewed by Brian Alan Ellis here. Fun interview. Shoutout to Brian and Vol. 1. Brooklyn.
Stumbled across the first latent space cryptid known as Loab. Interested thread and makes me wonder if ghosts and entities can take up space inside the walls of a computer or even possess an A.I. In theory, I feel like it’s definitely possibly since they’re not hindered by dense matter or three dimensional spaces. I do sage my electronics from time to time, but that won’t get rid of a big body poltergeist in the mainframe.
On the writing front, things are going a bit slower than I like, but sometimes it’s marathon and not a sprint. The words are coming and eventually they’ll gush out in brilliant waves. I’m having a lot of fun writing Project Bullet Baby. Feel like I’m flexing my writing muscles and crafting something special.
Currently Watching: Moon Knight & Ozark Season 1 & House of the Dragon Season 1
Currently Reading: Ill Behavior by M. Steven S. & Berserk by Kentaro Miura & God Damn Chainsaw Murderer by Sean M. Thompson & Nudes by Elle Nash & Chainsaw Man by Tatsuki Fujimoto
Currently Smoking: 24 HRS OG Moon Grapes
Usually I’m not a fan of rapper weed, but 24 Hrs Moon Grapes is nice for the price point. Pleasant yet chill high and I’m able to write and move pretty well when I’m on it.
Currently Listening to: Black Tapes Podcast & The Danny Brown Podcast
Kenny Mason is one of my favorite up and coming artists. Young, but dripping with sheer potential. He explores the conception of ideas, but turns this record into a memorable yet poignant reflection on his pain as well as his past.
The first minute of this is a waste of time, but once the actual track starts, it’s worth the wait. 30 Deep Grimeyy bleeds nothing but aggression on “Stand Down” and you can’t help but believe every word he spits. I need the sequel.
Dro Kenji and Mike Dimes get lit in “STEP BACK.” Nice piano keys and brutalist architecture in the background.
“I could have been signed for a honeybun when I was in the streets.”
KuttEm Reese flexes non-stop on this chaotic beat and I wholeheartedly support it. Talk your shit.
Until next time, rest easy, listen to some pleasant music and smoke some good weed.