Read Descent Into Darkness

Hi all.
Not much for updates again this week. I’ve been chasing down a few more ghosts in the machine, though most of the bugs of the new layout are all ironed out. Still proofing the next set of physical anthologies, though progress is being made!

And now, I will return you to your regularly scheduled newsletter!

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This week, I’m sharing articles from General and Craft. Firstly, Helping Writers Become Authors looks at the emotional toll on the creative writing landscape. Modern storytelling and the publishing industry is certainly louder, faster, and crowded than any other point in history, so burnout is very likely for any writer at any stage of their journey. Here are 5 reasons writers are burning out and what can be done about it. Next in craft, Fiction University dives into the importance of the first page from a writer's point of view to hook their readers. Considering that I look at the first page (especially if it is a genre I don’t usually read) to decide whether to buy a book, I think this article is spot on. Lastly, Writer Unboxed has founder and director of the creativity challenge StoryADay.org, Julie Duffy, explore how to begin an intentional writing practice and how to strengthen it. Duffy means a flexible but intended practice based on making time available for it, has set targets and goals, and makes its way into your calendar. There’s some interesting stuff here.

General:

Helping Writers Become Authors: “The Emotional Toll on Writers in the Modern Landscape (And Why So Many Are Burning Out)”

Craft: 

Fiction University: “You Get One Page to Hook a Reader. Yes, Really.”

Writer Unboxed: “Writing on Solid Ground: Create an Intentional Writing Practice”

From Horror Tree:

Memorial Day Horror Reads: War, PTSD, and Dark Aftermath Stories

Breathtaker Graphic Novel Review

Children of Strife Review by Adrian Tchaikovsky | Sci-Fi Book Review

Burns by David Polfeldt Review

This week’s free fiction explores darkness across the speculative realm, from ghost hunting to an abnormal death. Firstly, “the ghost hunter pushes the creaky metal door” is a spooky flash story about a ghost hunter exploring an abandoned Japanese building. The ending is spot on for a cliffhanger that lets the reader imagine the worst-case scenario. Next, “The Glass City” is a dark fantasy story about a city of glass and its occupants who wear their organs on the outside, whilst the stranger and their dog walk outside along the city walls. It is a darkly beautiful story about loneliness, death, and pain. Next, “The Modern Horrors of the Job Market” is a YouTube video of a flash story, acted with help by Beatriz Goncalves Miranda, as her character gets a strange phone call claiming to be a company she’d sent her CV to for a job, and was ready for her job interview. This is technology horror at its best, whilst not too over the top to imagine that this could happen to you. Lastly, “Lurid Parts” is a strange short story told in second person as ‘you’ look after your ill mother. Burning hotter and hotter, your mother is dying, and when she is gone, ‘you’ are filled with grief to the most extreme. There’s an ending you won’t see coming. Enjoy reading!

“the ghost hunter pushes the creaky metal door,” by Melissa Llanes Brownlee at Ghost Parachute.

“The Glass City" by AnaMaria Curtis at Uncanny Magazine.

“The Modern Horrors of the Job Market” by Mariam Esseghaier and Christopher Teti at Cradle of Horror.

“Lurid Parts” by Maya Y. Ng at Psychopomp’s The Deadlands.

Writing Exercise: Listen If You Dare

Your protagonist travels by train to work everyday, listening to music via headphones. They like smooth jazz, rock & roll, and pop music, but their enjoyment is cut short one day when the music stops.

Instead a voice speaks.

“Someone on this train has a gun. Find them before the next train stop.”

Bewildered, they look at their phone and at their headphones, searching as to why the connection was lost.

The train stopped. A man further down the carriage is the only one to leave, and as the train doors shut, there’s a bang and screams from the platform.

Unsettled, the protagonist freezes in shock as the train pulls away. 

“Someone on this train has a bomb. Find them before the last train stop.”

What happens next is up to you…Let your imagination run wild!

If you post any writing content during the week and think it would be a good fit for us to feature, do reach out and let us know at [email protected]

Read Trembling With Fear Volume 7 Today!