We will smile all the while

 We will smile all the while

 By S. L. Edwards

And though it seems we are leaving,
With dew-eyed tears depart,
And though our friends are still needing
Our tender, open heart
I will grab your hand,
We will leave this land
And we will smile all the while.

And though the hate is at our door,
That blind and hungry thing,
And though we tremble at its roar
And the chaos it may bring,
I will sing you to sleep,
We will take this leap
And we will smile all the while.

And though our fear is in the air
Constant and undying
And though it seems they do not care
Both lying and beguiling
I will hold you near,
Though the danger is here,

And we will smile all the while.

For coach Aaron Fies, teacher Scott Beigel, an unnamed janitor and all the brave people who came forward when it mattered in Parkland. RIP

Thoughts on "Magdalena."

What follows is a spoiler-filled reflection on the story "Magdalena." If you have interest in reading the story first, please ignore this post and consider getting a copy via the amazon link below:

https://www.amazon.com/Occult-Detective-Quarterly-Issue-3/dp/1979113343/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

STOP READING HERE TO AVOID SPOILERS.

I actually began work on "Magdalena," after finishing work on my forthcoming novelette "Ritual Killings," a story which features a far more self-assured and in-control Joe Bartred. Joe at the time of RK is older, he's survived the Cold War and there are allusions to an internal power struggle within the United States that Joe gained a upper hand in. The man in "Ritual Killings" is at his peak, someone who is calm, collected and powerful.

I wanted to contradict that image in "Magdalena."

In the earlier story we have a young man, 26, who is characterized foremost by uncertainty. The story opens with him being fed information by "The Man," the Satan-figure of the Bartred Universe. Joe then proceeds to violate one of his own rules and uses the information to work for the CIA, who in turn put him in contact with an elite counter-insurgency unit. Colonel Maduro is a dark reflection of Joe. Whereas Joe is a prodigy in magic, Maduro is a prodigy in brutality, inspired by the graduates of the notorious School of the Americas. For all of his knowledge of the occult, his moral compass has already forced him to make compromising decisions by the time the story opens.

This wasn't an accident.

These compromises are characteristic of the Cold War world which surrounds the characters of these early stories. Reading many, many histories of the era, one gets the image of foreign-funded brutality. From United States funding of military regimes across Latin America, Soviet sponsorship of dictatorships in Africa, and paramilitary and guerrilla units launching coordinated campaigns of terror against peasants, it is clear there was no one "good" side. As much as revisionists of all ideological persuasions have tried to paint the conflict differently, the portrait has been made in blood.

And this leads in to the antagonist of the story.

"Magdalena" was inspired by Che Guevara and Mao Zedong, Che's personalism and charisma coupled with Mao's unapologetic ruthlessness. She, like many revolutionaries, believes that the only thing separating mankind from paradise is its rulers. Only in this the rulers are not the bourgeoisie, nor are they secret cabals of businessmen and politicians. The rulers in the Bartred Universe are deities, demons and other paranormal entities. Magdalena wants to unbind mankind, and to do this she is willing to sacrifice millions of lives.

For her, the ends certainly justify the means. She has been infiltrating covenants and killing demons for centuries, she's slaughtered more than her share of lesser gods too.

For her, the approach was inspired by "Mr. Kurtz" of the Heart of Darkness. I wanted to conjure up dread before the reader ever met the character. And yes, she is a beautiful woman but she is also the scariest thing Joe has ever seen, by far.

And if there is anyone who enjoyed the character, I have good news: She's not done.

So there story introduces Joe, and offers to first insight into his world. Paranormal forces are more active than ever, perhaps due to the detonation of the atomic bomb. Joe, good and idealistic, will make many compromising decisions in his life. And while these decisions may be the "good" thing or even the "better" thing they may not be the "right" thing.

So You Sold Your First Story

Wow, y'all. The times sure change. A little over a year ago I went from having no publications to four. From four to twelve. And now we are honing in on the big three-o. Soon I'll start tepidly searching for publishers for a collection, along with a few other projects.

On my social media I'm fond of making jokes at my own expense, but I thought that a retrospective of the year may actually offer some useful insights for new writers. To be specific: the following is not for more seasoned writers than myself, and it certainly isn't for everyone. There is no one path to writing, just as there is no one metric for success. But, framing this as a message to a slightly younger self, some may find it useful or entertaining.

So with that, please enjoy:

Dear Sam,

So you sold your first story? Congratulations! This wasn't easy, and I know the temptation to give up was pretty big. Take a moment to be proud, open that bottle of rum you bought five years ago. Have some each time you sell another story (editor's note: the rum is gone!). Feel that rush? Yeah? You want to keep it going?

Well, maybe slow down a little. Here's a few pieces of advice old Sam has for you as you continue on:

(1) Not everything you write is good. For a moment your metrics are going to be all over the place. Having sold one (or more) stories, you may go through a brief period where you aren't sure how to assess your own work anymore. My advice is to take a step back and be as critical as you were before you were published. Let stories sit for a week before sending them off. And furthermore...

(2) Catch up. You're going to feel like you are in the deep end now. And you are. Don't panic. Everyone is rooting for you, and people don't just hand out compliments for fun out here. That said, another important component of being aware of the quality of your work is to read your peers. Yes, I know, it's weird that these very good writers are your peers. But you've got to read them, you need to assess it against what you do and have some sort of bearing as to what is going to be expected of publishable work. Besides, a lot of this stuff is just astounding.

(3)Be friendly. This is the most important piece of advice no one is going to tell you, but it should also be a given. Unless you are just the greatest writer of all time (see point 4), you need to be friendly. It's easier than the alternative, and people are more inclined to talk with you if you're kind.

(4) Be humble (sit down). It's a fine-line between being self-deprecating, but don't buy into hype you don't have. Always be genuine and thankful when someone says something about your work, even if it is critical. Don't expect to be accepted to every publication you send to and certainly don't make a stink about being rejected. You are going to be rejected SO MUCH! STILL! A rejection is not a closed door, and the way you behave in the aftermath can make a world of difference to editors who are rejecting your work on a close call. That said, be proud of your work and let your readers know that you have confidence in your work. Don't give the impression that you're work is lacking, but don't sit on any laurels either. Treat every story you write like it's going to be the last one.

(5) Don't be afraid to ask. There is a good way to query and there is a bad way to query. Be cognizant that editors have day jobs just like you do, and editing often takes more work and pays less than writing. These are people at the other end of your emails, treat them as such. But if you do this, be ready to get a "no." That's fine. Don't take it personally.

(6) Do something with dogs. Everyone loves dogs. Go figure.

Keep it up, young Sam. From old Sam to you, you're doing well.

-Old Sam

What's next?

This week I've had some major, unexpected acceptances and publications. After being blown away by Martian Migraine's A Breath From the Sky I was elated to learn that my story "Volver Al Monte" was going to be part of Chthonic: Weird Tales of the Inner Earth. Editor Scott Jones has developed a reputation for his small press, and I am quite excited to get my contributor copy so I can read the stories in them. You'll see tales from John Linwood Grant, Gemma Files, Nadia Bulkin, Aaron Beeson and...Ramsey Campbell. Still not quite sure what to make of sharing a table of contents with Ramsey Campbell.

That's weird.

As of now I'm leafing my way through Ride The Star Winds: Cthulhu, Space Opera, and the Cosmic Weird from the ever-expanding and enterprising Broken Eye Press. Again, some top quality writers: I am currently enjoying Lucy A. Snyder's story, but also enjoyed those from Nadia Bulkin and Premee Mohamad. Each story comes with an illustration, and the hardcover is a rather beautiful experience.

Speaking of reading, I'll announce for the first time here that I've taken on a reviewer position, but I can't say where yet. I finished all of my reviews before the academic year started, but during that time I read some very quality works that I am looking forward to sharing with you. Look forward to these reviews rolling out towards the end of the month or the beginning of the next. I'll say more when I can.

My writing is slowing down, though I'm trying to write every Sunday. The current story I am finishing is the beginning of a series of weird western tales told in a fantasy setting inspired by the post-civil war United States. Several nations are active on the continent, the United Federation in the east, Yijin and the Coastal Colonies to the west. In the south is Anahuac, a mysterious and quickly rising power. In the center of all of it are the wildlands, ruled by tribal federations of skin walkers, ogres and oni, demons and spirits. I want to flex some new muscles, and the first story will introduce John Armitage and Freedomtown, both of which will be foundational characters for the plan I have in my head.

The other big project concerns my occult detective, Joe Bartred. Joe will debut soon, but I like to plan ahead. Regrettably, talking about Joe in this sense cues readers in to the spoiler that Joe will not die...any time soon. Sorry. In this sense, he is not what John Linwood Grant refers to as a "doomed meddler," but there are fates worse than death. And Joe, for all his power and all his knowledge, is only a man. I would like to not only tell more Joe stories, but take a look at his supporting cast too. Characters I hope you will learn more about early next year.

And of course, the ever-expanding world of Borkchito. Borkie has surprised me in how popular he is, and I will say this of the next story: Yves has surprised and outpaced me at every turn. My favorite characters are being introduced. Boss Puggeaux has been alluded to, a certain mustached priest (my favorite character) made his debut. And this is only the beginning.

That's all for now, check out links below for Ride the Star Winds and Breath From the Sky.

-Edwards

https://www.amazon.com/Ride-Star-Wind-Cthulhu-Cosmic-ebook/dp/B0747W4ZC9/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1507391383&sr=8-1&keywords=ride+the+star+winds

https://www.amazon.com/Breath-Sky-Unusual-Stories-Possession-ebook/dp/B074N3H4SF/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1507391414&sr=1-1&keywords=breath+from+the+sky

Ah. And I would be remiss to not discuss Test Patterns forthcoming from Planet X Publications. The work is one of love, and has quite the spectacular line up. Editors Duane Pesice and Michael Adams have a murderer's row of contributors ranging from Joe S. Pulver (!!!), Matthew Bartlett, Peter Rawlik and Cody Goodfellow to a few newer writers such as Rob F. Martin and Russell Smeaton. My friend Jill Hand is in it as well, so this is going to be quite the outstanding collection. You can reserve your copy in the link below.

https://www.gofundme.com/39qw5ps

Bartred Memo no. 0021

The following is a brief teaser detailing an occult detective and the world he lives in.

Mr. Director,

            It has come to my attention that certain agents have suggested that Joe Bartred is a danger due to perceived “leftist tendencies.”

            This is a mistaken belief, and any attempt to act on it would be even more so.

            Mr. Bartred’s reluctance to aid the United States government stems more from family loyalty than political leanings. The Bartreds have taught their children, rightfully so if I may be bold, that the expenditure of human life should always come with great cost or come in most usual circumstances. Even so, Mr. Bartred has a blinder loyalty to noble ideas of “keeping the peace” than his father did or his mother does.

            All of this said, Mr. Director, Joe Bartred is your best chance.

            Recruiting his mother or older brother would be a nonstarter, if not counterproductive.

            I can only do so much of what you are asking me to do, and every day [REDACTED] is funded by the Soviets is a more dangerous one. You cannot afford to alienate him.

            This is my input, take it for what you will.

            Sincere well-wishes,

            J. K. 

Where you can find me

First of all, a sincere thanks for reading this. While I have an amazon author page (there will be a slew of links at the end of this post), several works cannot be found on amazon quite yet. What follows are a list of works that have been published or that are forthcoming that I can announce. There are several things that I cannot announce, and when I am able to I will do so. For now, this is what I can offer:

Published:

1. "Movie Magic" first published in Ravenwood Quarterly #1. 2016
2. "Skins" first published in Ravenwood Quarterly #2, 2016
3. "The Cthulhu Candidate" first published in Ravenwood #2, 2016
4. "Carcosa" (poem) first published in Ravenwood #2, 2016
5. "I've Been Here a Very Long Time," first published in Turn to Ash vol. 0, 2016
6. "When the Trees Sing," first published in Turn to Ash vol. 0, 2016
7. "And the Woman Loved Her Cats," first published in The Third Spectral Book of Horror Stories, 2016
8. "The Darkness Makes Us Whole," first published in Miskatonic Dreams, 2016
9. "The Case of Yuri Zaystev," first published in Onyx Neon Shorts Book of Horror Stories, 2016
10. "Krampus County," first published in New Zenith Magazine, 2016
11. "The Owl" (poem) first published in Weirdbook #33, 2016
12. "The Oldest Story" first published in Weirdbook #36, 2017
13. "What the Dog Tells Me" first published in Horror Tree, 2017
14. "Allister's Garden" first published in Unleashed: Monsters vs. Zombies II, 2017
15. "The Witch Queen," (poem) first published in Weirdbook Annual #1
16. "The Death of An Author," first published in Mythic Magazine #4

Forthcoming:

1. "Meeting the Matchmaker," to be published in Ravenwood Quarterly #3, 2017
2. "Cabras," to be published in Ravenwood Quarterly #4, 2017
3. "A Summoning" (prose poem) to be published in Ravenwood Halloween Special, 2017
4. "A Walk Through the Thinned Veil" (poem) to be Published in Ravenwood Halloween Special, 2017
5. "Magdalena," to be published in Occult Detective #3, 2017
6. "The Alienation of the Self: Marx, Polanyi and Ligotti," to be published in Vastarian: A Literary Journal #1, 2017 or early 2018
7. "The War Witch," (poem) to be published in Lycan Valley Poetry With a Side of Brews, 2017
8. "Golden Girl," to be published in Test Patterns, 2017
9. "Volver al Monte," to be published in "Chthonic: Weird Tales of the Inner Earth"
10. Classified Novelette, to be published 2017
11. Classified Short Story, to be published 2018

Find all or most of that in the following links:
http://electricpentaclepress.bigcartel.com/

http://www.mythicmag.com/p/issues.html

https://www.gofundme.com/39qw5ps

https://www.amazon.com/S.-L.-Edwards/e/B01M34MZOT

What you get: Weirdbook #33

Weirdbook #33-What you get

            Quite frankly, this is overdue.

            I’ve dreamed (not ‘wanted,’ dreamed) of being a part of Weirdbook since I read the “first” issue volume #31. Since then I’ve gotten every issue, and have been a strong advocate for the magazine. Weirdbook is something that has stepped out of a time capsule, straight out of the heyday of pulps and into the modern era. It’s a grab-bag of themes and subjects, ranging from horror to historical fantasy to sword and sorcery. If Clark Ashton Smith were still around, he’d be contributing to this magazine.

            Being a part of issue #33 was more than a little overwhelming, and I can happily say that I will also be in another coming issue (which one and in what way, I cannot say, but the contract is signed).

            One of my favorite stories in this volume was also one of the quietest, “Teatime with Mrs. Monster” by James Aquilone. It’s the sort of story that is both simple and profound enough to stick with you in fleeting nightmares.  But there are also quite a few occult detectives in this one, ranging from the unreliable protagonist of “The River that Flows to Nowhere,” by John R. Fultz to “Trance Junkie’s” washed-up junkie detective courtesy of Brun Lombardi to Adrian Cole’s ever-popular Nick Nightmare. C. M. Muller’s “Diary of an Illness” tells the story of a particularly unique, particularly horrifying apocalypse as well. I could go on about these stories, but am running low on time. Suffice to say fans of sword and sorcery will not be disappointed.

            Now, the poetry:

            I loved Donald W. Schank’s prose poem “A Cure for Unrequited Love,” which reads like a cautionary fable. To say that I really enjoyed the contributions of Ashley Dioses and K. A. Opperman would be redundant. Of course I enjoyed those two, I always do. But let’s talk about Frederick J. Mayer, whose love of Clark Ashton Smith is a reverence that I have not seen paralleled in anyone else. This is someone who channels the power that Smith has more than any other writer I can recall, the power to shock-and-awe with language. The poetry is at once silken and steel, a pointed dagger through an ornate curtain.

            My own meagre contribution came to me in my undergraduate career, on a night that I did not want to write a paper. “The Owl” has been read publicly in a few coffee shops, workshopped with a few friends and been a passion project of mine for about five years. It was wonderful to finally have it emerge on the pages of Weirdbook and I can only hope that it is enjoyed by its readers.

-S. L.