Soul Screaming

Posted on July 9, 2025 by chrisryanwrites

A weekly newsletter about creating even as the world burns

by Christopher Ryan

I’m watching video clips of ICE agents tasing and beating people they are kidnapping, and even running over a protester with their van and I’m wondering how bad it has to be before America insists that its government, or military, or silent heroes fight back against this clear violation of everything this country stands for…

***

Hi, I’m Christopher Ryan, a hybrid author with forty years of experience in journalism, education, sketch comedy, indie film, unions, community service, parenting, public speaking, acting, fiction and pop culture writing, as well as podcasting. Now I’m pushing to be more, to become one of the oldest emerging authors in the business. Together, let’s see whether I can get there.

* * *

NEWS:

FEAR AND LOATHING RELEASED, SPARKS AMAZING TALK

During a week when fascism expanded its cruelty further into the streets and Americans began to turn their anger against ICE thugs, some friends joined Alex and I to record what turned out to be the most moving, honest, and revelatory episode of Tell The Damn Story in its long history.

What began as a panel celebrating the release of Soul Scream Antholozine Fear and Loathing became the kind of soul-baring experience that can inspire and help heal writers.

You are not alone.

Here’s the link:

https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/oxNUJ8l2D9k?rel=0&autoplay=0&showinfo=0&enablejsapi=0

***

Soul Scream Antholozine Fear and Loathing has garnered some really cool reviews.

Here’s one from Amazon:

Top reviews from the United States

CarterFSU

5.0 out of 5 stars What Lies Ahead…

Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2025Verified Purchase

I enjoyed reading this collection, as it contains such a wide variety of stories. With this many authors contributing, there are quite different takes on the main theme of what may possibly be waiting down the road for all of us during these turbulent times. Some of the stories are more supernatural than others, and some are scary from the standpoint of what humans are capable of, but they are all highly entertaining. I enjoyed reading the short interviews with the authors and gaining insight into the origin point of their stories. I also loved that there were submissions from high school students- how cool that they already have published material!
Give this collection a shot- you won’t be sorry.

And here’s another, from Facebook:

Milt Theodossiou

Happy Release Day to…

Soul Scream Antholozine Fear and Loathing: Horror Tales for a Changed World

Edited by Christopher Ryan

“Soul Scream Antholozine” volumes are part anthologies, part magazines, combining very effectively the two formats in one by presenting stories in magazine form. After each story or poem, a mini-interview follows with the respective author, by the magazine’s (fictional) ‘interns’ or ‘assistant editor’. The result is truly phenomenal, since no matter how serious and heavy a story may be (and in this volume, they often are), there’s always some fun to be had by the interviews, which also throw light on the author’s writing process and origin of their ideas. Occasionally even, I liked the interview more than the story itself – which goes to show how well-crafted these moments of levity and reflection on authorship are: whether you’re a reader, a reviewer or an author, there’s something for everyone! And the quality is kept high throughout!

“Fear and Loathing: Horror Tales for a Changed World” is the seventh entry in this superb antholozine series, and it’s a real blast: it asks one question and one question only – if the policies of the current US presidency continue, what might we see America become in the next few years? – and it provides one answer and one answer only – oppression, hardship, inequality, and throw some insanity in there for good measure!

The stories are simply amazing, sharp, disturbing, always to the point, sticking to the mind long after the end. The authors do not mince words, though they never turn preachy or patronizing. The stories, to be honest, speak loudly for themselves. The writing is top-notch, the concepts original, and the approaches range from anger to bitterness, with an undertone of hope.

My favorites were:

Rebecca Cuthbert ‘s story, “Anguish Art Showcase,” a stunning morality tale about reality shows, told with such an incredible attention to detail that it may turn out prophetic; I certainly hope not! The supernatural twist was genius, and the whole thing reads like a nail to the heart.

Wendy Maxon’s “School’s Out For Summer” was totally disquieting, focusing on the establishment of AI in schools, AI replacing teachers, AI doing the assignments, AI doing everything for students except think: when the time for true thinking arises, mayhem ensues. Once again, the details are thought through with incredible accuracy, from people panicking and asking AI online for help, to the AI giving them different answers depending on who’s asking! A very unsettling story, probably prophetic as well.

“The Last Waltz” by Daemon Max, an outstanding tale I’d read before in Manx’s “Manx-iety” collection, is a heart-breaking tale about wrong life choices, domestic abuse, and the meaning of family.

I also eagerly recommend Charles Baruch’s “Final Advice,” Steven Van Patten’s “Jim Crow, 2028,” Lara Frater’s “Dealbreaker,” Karen Renner’s “The History of New Bomer (pop. 2,402)” and “The Eldritch Heart” by Oliver Baer. Wish I could convey directly how strong these stories are!

In sum, this is a must-read, whatever you may think about US politics; “Fear and Loathing” sheds new light on a horrific future most of us already see coming, and pulls no punches when it comes to immigration, racism, education and healthcare. Can’t recommend it enough!

***

UPCOMING APPEARANCE:

I’ll be reading from Soul Scream Antholozine Fear and Loathing and maybe from It’s Been a Privilege, and I will bring books to donate as prizes for the horror trivia contest.

***

OTHER WRITING:

I’ve put out four books and been published in a pop culture anthology about Jack Kirby as well as an upcoming Alien Buddha Press Summer Sampler, so it has been a creative year. And while it seems I am exhausted, work has already begun on yet another poetry collection, a short story rewrite, and a YA novel. Pretty cool.

***

CURRENT OBSESSIONS

MUSIC:

This week’s increasingly unAmerican news has reminded me of an old song by The Kinks. Wish someone would answer it:

https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/wThj7x0X3MI?rel=0&autoplay=0&showinfo=0&enablejsapi=0

I continue listening to James McMurtry’s great new album The Black Dog and Wandering Boy. Highly recommended.

Also, Springsteen’s Tracks II: The Lost Albums offers a mother lode of “new” Bruce in the form of unreleased albums primarily from the 90’s and early 00’s. Different than his initial run. Exploring tone and emotion and writing and singing. Fascinating, with lots of gems to be discovered and savored. Highly recommended for die hard Bruce fans, recommended for the less hardcore.

TV:

Glorious and I have been fascinated by Mariska Hartigay’s HBO doc My Mom Jayne. What started as mild curiosity about what she had to say turned into fully engaged appreciation for taking us through in incredible twists and turns to be found there. Recommended.

We followed that up with a trip back in time as we finally dived into Broadchurch on Peacock. David Tennant, Olivia Colman, and Jodie Whittacker head up an incredible cast in this well-written, gorgeously filmed, tremendously well acted show. Season 1 is brilliant, season 2 might be better. We are intrigued to discover what season 3 offers. Highly recommended.

BOOKS:

I’m finally getting around to the really enjoyable Dead Detectives Society (Thrilling Mysteries of the Macabre!) from Monstrous Books. Mystery. Horror. Pulpy. Noirish. Big fun for everyone. Highly recommended.

Really enjoying Pedor Iniguez’s Stoker Award-winning collection of speculative poetry Mexicans on the Moon. Iniguez packs so much into each poem that it is fun to savior one or two a day. Highly recommended.

Every once in a while I need a Charles Bukowski fix. His simple, sometimes blunt, in the moment poetry influences the clarity I aspire to when I write poetry. Not his subject matter so much but his absolute mastery of capturing moments and giving them a pulse of vivid life. This time around its Essential Bukowski Poetry selected and edited by Abel Debritto. Excellent. Most highly recommended.

Lastly, I find myself having to stop reading and write a new poem every few entries into Edward Hirsch’s The Essential Poet’s Glossary. This new version of Hirsch’s legendary work has inspired four poems so far, for which I am deeply grateful. Most highly recommended.

***

All right, talk atcha next week.

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Soul Screaming

Posted on July 2, 2025 by chrisryanwrites

A weekly newsletter about artistic freedom at any age, and this week finding that amid national tensions, there is local hope.

Christopher Ryan's avatar

Christopher Ryan

Jul 02, 2025

I met the new Mayor of Hackensack, NJ when he was a seventh grader. He wasn’t mayor then, but his soul was old enough to handle the job from that very first day.

Caseen Gaines has been looking at the larger picture and creating positive contributions to it since he was a kid. He grew up casually taking on and excelling at challenges that gave others pause. Writing, acting, singing, delivering news on the high school TV station, unabashedly embracing niche pop culture, working multiple jobs simultaneously, guiding fellow students as an AD at Rutgers, co-founding the Hackensack Theatre Company while still in college, returning to his high school to become a teacher, direct school plays, revitalize the journalism, creative writing, and diversity reading programs, serving as union rep, then union president, all while writing several notable pop culture non-fiction books, becoming a pop culture spokesperson, multiple home owner, and entering local politics (at the same time!), organizing activities and taking on responsibilities that have led to being sworn in as Hackensack Mayor this week. All while being in love with, then married to a woman of equal talent, drive, agency, and commitment to community service.

At a swearing in ceremony, before an incredibly diverse packed auditorium that boasted representatives from a wide array of ethnicities, religions, ages, and genders made up of neighbors, friends, community leaders, and family who came from four states to witness only the second black mayor in the city’s history take the oath with the help of a lifeline friend and fellow community servant, Caseen demonstrated grace, gratitude, warmth, and, as repeatedly noted throughout the night, hope.

The people in that large room joined together to create an atmosphere I’ve been missing these decades-long last few months. It felt like … America.

For the first time in months I found myself among humans that were not demonstrably more angry than joyful, weren’t focusing on the negatives of one political/racial/economic side or another, weren’t concerned about the end of this grand experiment.

Instead, we celebrated a sense of renewal, of possibility, of hope.

Ain’t that America.

***

Hi, I’m Christopher Ryan, a hybrid author with forty years of experience in journalism, education, sketch comedy, indie film, unions, community service, parenting, p ublic speaking, acting, fiction and pop culture writing, as well as podcasting. Now I’m pushing to be more, to become one of the oldest emerging authors in the business. Together, let’s see whether I can get there.

* * *

NEWS:

FEAR AND LOATHING TO BE RELEASED JULY 3rd

I’ve been talking about it for weeks, been laboring over it for months, and now, finally, it will be loosed up on the world.

Soul Scream Antholozine Fear and Loathing – Horror Tales for a Changed World is yet another experiment in form, where all aspects of this anthology/magazine mash-up aims to offer healing through harrowing fiction, author interviews, art, and behind-the-scenes hijjinx.

To be clear about our efforts and audience, here’s the full wrap cover (thanks to Matt Wildasin for making it look so dynamic) including the back cover copy:

If you think that is a political attack, you haven’t paid attention to what I’ve been doing. There is neither interest or value in telling one side or the other its wrong because no one is listening to their opposites these days. Instead, these stories, poems, interviews, and art, celebrate the freedoms this country was founded upon, and the metaphors that have given us all strength during challenging times.

Anyone who feels their senses attacked within these pages are welcomed here – that’s a purpose of horror, to shake us up and get us to reconsider what is up or down, right or wrong, us or the monster we may have become.

There is glorious horror here, not so much with the blood splatter as with the brain splatter. Each piece in here is designed to entertain, scare, test what we believe, and how we might be living these days … and in the near future. There are no prisoners taken, no quarter given, and no doors shut.

Come on in and see whether what’s inside makes you smile, keeps you up at night, gets you thinking, maybe even reconsidering what this country is, and could be.

And before some cranky friend calls me a socialist, let’s share our logo, redesigned by Matt for the occasion:

God bless America, now more than ever.

Link for the book: https://a.co/d/6qsWd70

***

SIX PUBLICATIONS THIS YEAR

So far in 2025, I’ve been involved in six publications. Might be worth sharing them all for the curious.

A Horror tale in verse. Link: https://a.co/d/9XmeLjy

The “last date” with beloved America. Link: https://a.co/d/cwcTMvD

I’m honored to have published this fun mystery play. Link: https://a.co/d/4n4Bffo

Promo copy. Might be able to get one at cons.

Honored to be part of this celebration of Jack Kirby. Link: https://a.co/d/h2cwypg

THE CHALLENGE OF KEEPING IT FRESH

Recently, Glorious and I saw two concerts. One was a tribute band, Lez Zeppelin, who have been touring for twenty years as an all-girls Zep cover band. The other was Counting Crows, on tour supporting their new album.

Two very different bands. Similar problem – both seemed bored during long portions of their shows.

Lez Zeppelin preformed the entirety of Physical Graffiti, currently celebrating 50 years as a classic rock album. However, they only seemed energized by a few songs from that album, and performed most of it at 32 1/3 – just a bit slow. They took the energy through the roof when they turned to classic Zep rockers, and left us wondering why they would do a show they didn’t seem to love.

Counting Crows was more disheartening. They have often been transcendent during their shows, but not at PNC. Sure, they were alive and excellent while playing their new songs, but otherwise offered tepid performances of deep cuts and outright bored renditions of their classics.

I still admire both groups and have faith that we just ran through a bit of bad luck. But. Tickets are expensive these days. And tensions are high about so many things that we turn to music to heal us from that bad nights now do more harm than good. We need you now, Lez Zep, Counting Crows, and all other live acts and films and TV shows and books, etc. We need your best.

I hope this gets in front of any creator down on the value of their work; please do not sell yourself short. There are so many of us out here waiting and hoping and needing delivery from the challenges of 2025, and your work is what we need. Remember that you have people out here for who your work is a balm, an escape, a salvation from what we’re going though.

So keep going. We need ya.

***

ROUGH WEEK FOR CURRENT OBSESSIONS:

MUSIC: Bruce Springsteen’s huge Lost Albums project came out and sounds … nice. Maybe multiple listens will acclimate me to their greatness, but I was hoping, perhaps unfairly, for lightning to strike my soul. We’ll see.

TV: Still shocked that the very satisfying Marvel film The Thunderbolts is being considered a flop despite its quality, I turned to Ironheart hoping for deliverance. Again, maybe I’m unfairly expecting too much, but so far …

BOOKS: More clues that it is me and perhaps creative exhaustion rather than these usual home run hitters, I also didn’t connect with Stephen King and S. A. Cosby’s new releases.

What the hell is wrong with me?

Stay tuned. Maybe we’ll find out together.

***

All right, talk atcha next week.

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Soul Screaming #9

Posted on April 17, 2025 by chrisryanwrites

A weekly newsletter by perhaps the world’s oldest emerging author

by Christopher Ryan

Sometimes inspiration sneaks up behind you, knocks you down, and beats your soul out of you.

That happened over the past week … in the best way.

Like everybody in America, and most people in the world, the actions of a particular world leader have deeply impacted our lives and peace of mind. Even the most rabid supporter now knows someone who was deported, lost shocking amounts of investment money, or has a business in danger due to loss of employees or skyrocketing costs due to tariffs. And anyone who truly believes in justice, rule of law, and the Constitution is scarred by the first months of this year.

Some responding by doing more: workouts, drinking, reading, screaming, despairing, demonstrating, whatever helps one cope. None of that works for me. Instead, I write, edit, plan publishing projects. This week, while preparing the next Soul Scream Antholozine which will be subtitled (title reveal!) Fear and Loathing, which features horror tales more or less dealing with the aftermath of all the current changes going on, something else happened. The political and economic slashing and tearing at America itself sparked a second, more intimate set of writing. The result proved to be America, We Need to Talk, a collection of free verse poetry depicting a last date between a lover and the object of his love, America.

Alien Buddha Press accepted it for publication quickly, and the cover is being done as this is being written. Fastest turn around from submission to acceptance in my life.

The work itself uses the metaphor of the last-ditch effort date, the final attempt to talk it out, to save the love a couple once shared to explore both how much America is loved, the horrible behavior America has been subjected to in the eyes of the world, and how it effects those who love her.

This is a work about division and heartache, destruction of dreams, devastating rejection of innocent love, and the horror of watch your love change away for the relationship you so invested in.

And all of it came as a shocking wave of creativity I didn’t see coming.

When cursing at the TV becomes writing verses everywhere – iPad, iPhone, pen and ink — something’s happening. And it damn sure did.

***

Hi, I’m Christopher Ryan, a hybrid author with forty years of experience in journalism, education, sketch comedy, indie film, unions, community service, parenting, public speaking, acting, fiction writing, and podcasting. I’ve experienced a modicum of success (tiny modicums, honestly) in all of these, but I’m pushing to be more, to become one of the oldest breakout authors in the business. Together, let’s see whether I can get there.

* * *

NEWS:

Well, the biggest news served as our cold opener, so, yeah.

We’re also about to go to print on Alex Simmons’ gripping mystery play Sherlock Holmes and the Hands of Othello, which came out really well. From the excellent play itself to the extra content (two new exclusive interviews and a forward), to the gorgeous cover by Matt Wildason, we’re really pleased with this project. Can’t wait to share it with you on May 22nd.

***

In RELATED NEWS:

For more on Alex Simmons’ Sherlock Holmes and the Hands of Othello, check out this week’s episode Tell The Damn Story, our podcast/YouTube show that seeks to make your writing journey easier. We explore the inspiration, challenges, triumphs, and setbacks of taking the world’s greatest detective on a case he rarely if ever faced.

Here’s the link:

https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/eYtYm_NXod4?rel=0&autoplay=0&showinfo=0&enablejsapi=0

***

IN OTHER NEWS:

My website is updated and live and waiting for you to explore, if interested. There are links to free reads, all my books as well as the projects my small publishing company has released, this newsletter, my blog’s entire backlog, and more. C’mon over and visit, it could be fun.

Here’s the link: https://wordpress.com/home/chrisryanwrites.blog

***

CURRENT OBSESSIONS:

MUSIC: I’m still obsessively listening to Counting Crows. Last week, we discussed their new album, and I’m still making visits to that engaging soundscape, but I’m also have 2023’s August and Everything After – Live at Town Hall. It opens with a blistering “Round Here/Raining in Baltimore” and a great “Mr. Jones/Thunder Road” mash-up, but the whole album entrances.

The other Counting Crows obsession is Adam Duritz interviews that are all over YouTube. Long discussions that dig deep into his views on so much. Fascinating. Highlights include Rock Beato’s great interview with him.

Here’s the link:

https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/Jo7vuPADuak?rel=0&autoplay=0&showinfo=0&enablejsapi=0

BOOKS:

I’m still deep into Tananarive Due’s The Reformatory. This new classic of American literature should be taught in schools — um, when this country stops banning books, I mean — as it dives deep into American’s Greatest Sin, documenting the true horror of racism in a gripping story that fully engaged the reader, never preaches, and always resonates as a great novel.

Most highly recommended.

Looking forward to Peter Wolf’s memoir and Ultimate Evil, a non-fiction exploration of unresolved questions in the Son of Sam murders, a news story that led me to become a Bronx journalist for years.

***

TV:

It really says something when your entertainment choices to relieve tensions from the news of the day are The Pitt, The Last of Us, and the finale of Daredevil: Born Again.

The Pitt is a harrowing day in a Pittsburgh hospital emergency room. Intense. Graphic. Still more pleasant than current events.

The Last of Us is back and the biggest horror is how annoying Ellie has become. She’s still not as egregious as our elected leaders.

The Daredevil: Born Again finale is incredible and deserves repeat viewings. Punisher, Daredevil, and Kingpin all being reborn as the fullest iterations of who they are is glorious, bloody, horrifying graphic (Disney, WTF!), and still not as disturbing as current events.

Brothers and sisters, we in danger.

And that’ll serve as my…

FREAK OUT: When our president says perfectly calmly on the record that he’s interested in deporting “homegrown problems” who are “really bad people” – a term he’s used to describe almost all the politicians, journalists, celebrities, and citizens who have ever crossed him, America is in the strangest more dangerous places its wandered into in our entire history. C’mon, my beloved fellow citizens, this can’t be our vision for the future of our country. Can it? (he asks nervously.)

Thanks for coming by. Talk atcha soon.

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Soul Screaming #8

Posted on April 17, 2025 by chrisryanwrites

A weekly newsletter by perhaps the world’s oldest emerging author.

by Christopher Ryan

Facing the unknown shakes the human sense of peace like nothing else. We saw global proof this week as billions around the world did the WTF Shuffle. And now people are debating whether America is becoming a global shakedown artist or that whole tariff dance was the biggest case of insider trading ever. Neither villainous guise is who we like to believe ourselves to be.

America, we need to do some serious questioning about what we’re willing to become.

And a lot of us don’t have time for the sleazy con jobs. Some of us are also peering into the dark unknown of our own abysses.

Even me.

This week I kept an appointment to check up on “a touch of cancer” I had removed a few months ago. I feel fine, just as I did when the “touch of cancer” was initially found. During the check up, the doc discovered another “touch” she cut out and sent out for testing. Tiny little thing. Barely a there at all. Nothing to worry about, really.

Still, yeah, the unknown.

We all must face some form of test in our lives. We all must deal. Right now, this newsletter is me dealing with it. What I mean to say is thanks for stopping by. I deeply appreciate it.

***

Hi, I’m Christopher Ryan, a hybrid author with forty years of experience in journalism, education, sketch comedy, indie film, unions, community service, parenting, public speaking, acting, fiction writing, and podcasting. I’ve experienced a modicum of success (tiny modicums, honestly) in all of these, but I’m pushing to be more, to become one of the oldest breakout authors in the business. Together, let’s see whether I can get there.

* * *

NEWS:

Promotion of It’s Been a Privilege, my “horror story told in verse” continues. Upcoming, I will be posting some samples, maybe a few videos of me reading a poem from the collection.

And I am actively looking for reviewers. If this project interests you and you’re willing to post a few words about it publicly (social media, GoodReads, for now, Amazon), let me know in the comments.

Also, should anyone want copy of It’s Been a Privilege, you can order a copy directly from me (DM me or tell me in the comments) and I’ll sign it and ship it out to you.

Soooo fancy!

OTHER NEWS:

Production of Alex Simmons’ gripping mystery play Sherlock Holmes and the Hands of Othello is nearly complete. Last night, the great Matt Wildasin sent a proof of the stylish and classy cover. Both Alex and I are thrilled. The publication date is set for May 22nd. If you are interested in a signed copy, please contact me in the comments of DM me, or contact Alex, and he’ll sign it and we’ll send it out ASAP.

And now…

Readers of this newsletter get an exclusive first look (after Matt, Alex, and me) at the cover:

***

A Question for You

What do we think about writing that is inspired by current events? I’d really like to know people’s opinions regarding whether poetry, short stories, novels, etc., based on or inspired by changes going on in our world are compelling to readers. We’re not talking “on the nose” fiction, but work expressing what we’re dealing with, or a story perhaps set in the future, or used metaphorically, etc.

If you have an opinion on this topic, please let me know in the comments. It would really help. Currently, I feel compelled to write creatively about the emotions and haunting nature of some current changes. We’ll see.

***

Facing the Facts

Authors need to self-promote. This can prove challenging to people for whom sitting alone typing out your thoughts and fantasies makes sense as a life style.

But we gotta do what we gotta do.

I’ve taken a long time trying to determine what tires me out about others’ self-promotion, for example, The Deluge of Me when a creative posts the same thing multiple times a day, or Groundhog Day, when a creative posts the same exact thing ten times a day. Don’t want to be that thug.

So I’ve taken time to create a large number of different posts that promote the work with, hopefully, some fun and style I also have a few videos characters that might entertain while, again hopefully, build a brand both for myself and my micro-publishing company, Seamus and Nunzio Productions.

I’d love to know what you think. Maybe you can give some feedback in the comments.

Here are a few examples:

Telling the Damn Story:

This week, Alex Simmons and I tried a “shotgun episode” of rapid-fire prompt suggestions to get you writing. It was fast, fun, and at times, pretty funny.

Here’s the link:

https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/duWBakevB_Y?rel=0&autoplay=0&showinfo=0&enablejsapi=0

CURRENT OBSESSIONS:

MUSIC: I’m back to Counting Crows.

Since they arrived on the scene, I’ve succumbed to periodic Counting Crows obsession, and I’m in a deep one this week. It started with me downloading what I initially thought was a new release, but was released a few years ago, partially, and is now being … completely released?

I’m not sure and I don’t care because the music is great.

Here’s the album cover:

Much like the cover, the songs need to be experienced to be believed. Great production. Great playing and singing. Masterfully lyrics. And the videos are fascinating.

Really worth your time.

Counting Crows is on tour this summer and while the ticket prices are heartbreaking, I think I wanna go, even if I’m back in the not-so-cheap seats.

Books:

Last week a took a break from Tananarive Due’s masterful The Reformatory to indulge in Believe: The Untold Story of the Making of Ted Lasso. Now I’m back into Due’s new American classic. If you haven’t read it yet and your not a foaming-at-the-mouth racist, this is a must read. Maybe foaming-at-the-mouth racists should be required to read it as well. Immersive storytelling. Gorgeous turns of phrase that do not pull the reader out of the story, and riveting insight into the Black American experience in the South. Perhaps the hardest thing to write is a socially important, expansive page turner. This is one of them.

Most highly recommended.

TV:

Daredevil: Born Again continues to get better each episode. If you ain’t watching, ya gotta ask yourself why.

I’d like to put forth the proposition that YouTube is the greatest participatory variety show ever created. Comedy, news, music, interviews, art, contact with creatives you’d never know about otherwise, cooking, crime, cute babies, bloopers, and so much more. When the news gets too ridiculous, I’ve found YouTube to be a better coping outlet than hours of news propaganda.

Recommended.

Freakout: That America is becoming so much less than its potential at the hands of a guy who sees his own exaltation as improving America is worrisome enough. That it all might be sideshow geeks distracting us during large scale cruelty and worldwide ripoffs is worse.

But Americans are standing up and calling bullshit. And that’s the American Spirit. Let’s see if the next few actions have impact. Americans saving America would be the greatest American story ever.

I hope its not just another American myth.

Like the comic strip character said, “We have met the enemy and he is us.”

Thanks for coming by. Talk atcha soon.

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Soul Screaming #7

Posted on April 17, 2025 by chrisryanwrites

A weekly newsletter by perhaps the world’s oldest emerging author

by Christopher Ryan

“Be curious, not judgmental.” – Ted Lasso

Is there any pop culture quote that seems more anachronistic these days? So much of what is happening in our news is judgmental, not curious. And that continues to drive tensions up and happiness down.

Our thoroughly non-professional prescription for temporary relief from Toxic Politicalocity? Rebinging Ted Lasso. More on this later.

***

Hi, I’m Christopher Ryan, a hybrid author with forty years of experience in journalism, education, sketch comedy, indie film, unions, community service, parenting, public speaking, acting, fiction writing, and podcasting. I’ve experienced a modicum of success (tiny modicums, honestly) in all of these, but I’m pushing to be more, to become one of the oldest breakout authors in the business. Together, let’s see whether I can get there.

* * *

GOOD NEWS/CHALLENGING NEWS:

It’s Been a Privilege, my “horror story told in verse” is now published and available, which is thrilling news for me.

Hooray!

However, there are always challenges with every blessing, and this one ties directly to current events. See, my debut collection of narrative poetry is currently only available on Amazon.com which a sizable percentage of the world is currently boycotting. While I ache to have people read and enjoy my work, I would never force anyone to violate their beliefs just to support me. This complicates my fervent wish for the collection to find an audience.

Sigh.

Red, the publisher of Alien Buddha Press, said the book should eventually be available from other outlets. He also made a suggestion that I am announcing here: should anyone want a copy of It’s Been a Privilege, you can order a copy directly from me (DM me or tell me in the comments) and I’ll sign it and ship it out to you.

Another first for this ancient emerging author!

OTHER NEWS:

-Related to the ongoing Amazon boycott, I am exploring bookshop.org as well as other outlets to make my work available on more platforms so readers do not have to sell their souls for me. Updates as I accomplish them!

–Soul Scream Antholozine: Fear and Loathing pre-production continues. We have stories, poems, an essay, and initial cover photography completed. The theme here will be work inspired by the growing fear and/or loathing people are feeling in America and abroad either for or against changes being made by our current president. What will life be like after all these changes? Our authors offer some wild tales exploring a wide variety of possible answers. We hope for a publication date near the start of summer.

-Read a Mallory and Gunner adventure for free! As part of my website reboot, I’m offering a rewritten and edited version of the short story “Night of the Wolf” for free, in the “Free Stories from Christopher Ryan” section of the website, below all the available books. You can also find two links to short adventures featuring my character Penelope, both of which were published by the fantastic Shotgun Honey.

Here’s a link: https://chrisryanwrites.blog/books/

And if you want to check out the entire website, here’s a QR code for that:

-Production of the stand alone edition of Alex Simmons’ gripping dramatic mystery play Sherlock Holmes and the Hands of Othello nears completion. Cover photography is complete and we’re submitting materials to our cover wizard Matt Wildasin this week. Final editing of the “extra features” is also slotted to be completed this week, clearing the deck for what we hope will be a May 22nd release date.

If you want to know a bit more about it, here’s a review of the play’s stage debut back in the day:

Telling the Damn Story:

This week’s Tell The Damn Story podcast and YouTube show features the return of Omar Holmon, who is co-founder of Black Nerd Problems, a TikTok/social media star, a slam poetry world champ, and one of my beloved former students. If you haven’t seen him yet, check out this episode. It is wild, passionate fun.

Here’s a link:

https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/ir29DfeDcLY?rel=0&autoplay=0&showinfo=0&enablejsapi=0

Additionally, show co-founder Alex Simmons has been putting together some promotional materials to remind people just how rich our back catalog is – and all of it -ALL OF IT – is free for anyone interested in learning more about the writing process.

Here’s one of those ads:

CURRENT OBSESSIONS:

MUSIC: I had a birthday recently and among the gifts that Glorious spoiled me with was something I did not know existed. And I have been listening to this feast all week. Pete Townshend was one of my big three musical influences growing up (the other two being Bob Dylan and Peter Gabriel – top among the hundreds I still admire greatly). This collection of Pete’s solo studio albums allows me to load up the CD multi-disc turntable and listen all day while writing, editing, or proofreading. The box set is beautifully designed, sounds fantastic, and still thrills track after track.

Highly recommended.

Check it out:

TV: Glorious and I are enjoying shows at the opposite ends of the emotional spectrum. Daredevil: Born Again continues to be an exceptionally engaging dark noir adventure, while rebinging Ted Lasso has been a much-needed balm to our frayed sense of hope for the world. Both are highly recommended for very different reasons but also have these things in common: each offers top quality writing, acting, directing, cinematography, and sound.

BOOKS: My reading this week has been equally divergent. Jeremy Egner’s BELIEVE The Untold Story Behind Ted Lasso the Show That Kicked Its Way into Our Hearts is light pop culture non-fiction that digs deep into the philosophy and influences of one of my current TV obsessions. It is quick, fun, and informative. Tananarive Due’s The Reformatory is gripping, oddly timely (sad to say but true), and a unrelenting page turner despite its length.

Both are highly recommended.

ONLINE: Glorious and I were relieved and happy that Garron Noone returned to social media after stepping away due to attacks in his comments. He is hilarious and charming and often rescues us from the news of the day. How’r’ya getting on, Garron? So glad you’re back!

FREAK OUT: We all know what we’re freaking out about these days, and it only differs slightly depending on our political affiliations. So instead, I’m going to offer up two pics that will hopefully make you laugh at my expense.

First, my eldest brother sent this pic of me from the early 70’s and old pics always seem funny looking:

Secondly, back when I was a teacher, a gifted student drew a pic of me that I seem to have grown into in reality:

I hope you got a bit of amusement out of them. We could all use a chuckle now and then.

Thanks for coming by. Talk atcha soon.

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Guest blog: Alien Buddha Press

Posted on March 31, 2025 by chrisryanwrites
SPOTLIGHT: It’s Been a Privilege by Christopher Ryan
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Soul Screaming #6 – a weekly newsletter by perhaps the world’s oldest emerging author

Posted on March 24, 2025 by chrisryanwrites

by Christopher Ryan

Breaking News: Butch and Suni splashed back down Earth yesterday, greeted by a pod of dolphins. We had a live microphone to catch what the dolphins said:

“Where’d you go? Was there water there? Did they have fish?”

“Why did you come back? Do you know what’s been happening since you left?”

“Can you go back quick before you’re both called a DEI hires?”

***

Hi, I’m Christopher Ryan, a hybrid author with forty years of experience in journalism, education, sketch comedy, indie film, unions, community service, parenting, public speaking, acting, fiction writing, and podcasting. I’ve experienced a modicum of success in all of these, but I’m pushing to be more, to become one of the oldest breakout authors in the business. Together, let’s see whether I can get there.

* * *

NEWS:

Work continues on my tiny publishing company, Seamus and Nunzio Productions, solo publication of Alex Simmons’ play Sherlock Holmes and the Hands of Othello, described by The Amsterdam News as a “delicious mystery” taking the world’s greatest detective in a new direction – for him.

In addition to the play, there will be an interview with the author as well as the director for the debut production back in the 1980’s.

So when is it getting published. Dedicated fans will understand this clue:

If you solved the mystery of the Sherlock Holmes and the Hands of Othello publishing date, let me know in the comments. We’ll have five copies autographed by Alex Simmons to send out to the first five correct solutions.

Publishing News:

The March 31st debut of my “horror story told in verse” It’s Been a Privilege is coming up fast. Published by Alien Buddha Press, this collection of poetry offers stand alone poems that collectively tell the tale of the most modern of villains, Harry, the living embodiment of rich, white, male privilege … who is a pure sociopath. The collection has garnered praise by early readers, one of whom staunchly believes it would make a “stunning one-man show.” I’d love to see that happen, but for now the focus is on promoting the book’s release.

Upcoming Projects:

“There is another.”

Yes, Virginia, there will be another Soul Scream Antholozine. In fact, Fear and Loathing is already in preproduction, with stories and poems collected, interview questions being written and sent out along with contracts, and the cover design already well underway. The theme of this volume will explore how people are dealing with changes to their world, challenges to their morality, and what fear might look like as we move deeper into uncertain times.

Set for release sometime in late June/early July, this is the most ambition Soul Scream yet.

Also in the pipeline is a project that has been in development for quite awhile. I can’t say much more than it plays with a vague scientific theory I definitely abused in the service of exploring superpowers as horror stories. More soon.

Telling the Damn Story:

This week, Alex Simmons and I discuss overcoming the stressful pace of news to get yourself writing and/or creating on a regular basis despite the spiraling of current events.

You can watch it here:

https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/8MXge79eZ5M?rel=0&autoplay=0&showinfo=0&enablejsapi=0

CURRENT OBSESSIONS:

MUSIC: I listened to the Mick Taylor era Rolling Stones albums this week. Sticky Fingers, Exile on Main Street, Goat’s Head Soup, and It’s Only Rock’n’Roll still stand up as outstanding albums. No filler all killer, this is the best the Stones ever were. If you don’t know or haven’t heard these albums, go check’em out.

TV: Marvel’s Daredevil: Born Again is, for my money, the best crime show AND the best political thriller on TV right now. Oh yeah, it’s a super-hero action tale as well. Damn, that’s a creative challenge. But the writing, acting, directing, and cinematography are all excellent. Four episodes in, each has gotten better. Dark and getting darker, this show is not to be missed.

BOOKS: I returned to the Monstrous Books restoration of the cult classic novel that started it all even before it was published, Kolchak the Night Stalker. James Aquilone, publisher, and James Chambers, editor, did a truly stunning job in presenting the very best version of this novel I have ever read. Presented beautifully from typeface, to paper quality to spot illustrations, classic cover, and the quality of its hard cover binding and bookmarking ribbon, this is a must have for fans and mystery readers alike.

ONLINE: If you like comics at all, you should really check out Omar Holmon on YouTube, Instagram, and/or TikTok. The word mastery. The flow. The humor. The passion. The depth of comics discussion. All of it is epic. Omar Holmon says more fun stuff and offers deeper insights about comic characters, writing, art, and themes in an engaging and delightful way.

You can watch an example here: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT2poPrRN/

FREAK OUT:

I won’t lie, the question of whether the White House was ignoring judges’ orders and calling for their impeachment for daring to disagree with the president was freaking me out but Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts’ non-accusatory statement about the proper way to disagree with a judge’s ruling may have brought a bit of sanity back to proceedings. Fingers crossed that the courts can get everyone doing due diligence and following procedure to get work done properly.

Okay, my fingers are crossing so hard now their bones might shatter…

Thanks for coming by. Talk atcha soon.

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Soul Screaming #5 – a weekly newsletter by perhaps the world’s oldest emerging author

Posted on March 24, 2025 by chrisryanwrites

by Christopher Ryan

I keep thinking of a line from a cult classic movie as I watch updates on the long-delayed return of astronauts Butch and Suni (Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams) to our shores after nine months in space.

Just think for a second how much has changed during those nine months. What will they find when they land? A country where either or both could be looked at as DEI hires instead of heroes. A country where things cost more and their investment portfolios are worth less, where education is weaker, the prospect of not having Social Security, Medicaid, or Medicare so billionaires can get a bigger tax break. Where the country they call home is called an enemy by our allies, and openly mocked around the globe. Where a Gulf has been renamed, and our country is mumbling about wanting to take over entire countries.

So much of our culture has been upended, that movie line might be the most logical thing for Butch and Suni to cry out:

“You maniacs! You blew it up! Ah, damn you! God damn you all to hell!”

* * *

Hi, I’m Christopher Ryan, a hybrid author with forty years of experience in journalism, education, sketch comedy, indie film, unions, community service, parenting, public speaking, acting, fiction writing, and podcasting. I’ve experienced a modicum of success in all of these, but I’m pushing to be more, to become one of the oldest breakout authors in the business. Together, let’s see whether I can get there.

* * *

NEWS:

An essay I’ve written on a famous character created by an absolute legend has been accepted and complimented. For an ancient emerging writer that feels great. Expect it out around June. I can’t say more right now — and love that I am starting to climb up to that level in the industry. LOL, what silly things we use to keep us going as creatives!

OTHER NEWS:

After re-airing a couple of classic episodes following our 350th episode, Alex Simmons and I are back with new discussions on our podcast/YouTube show Tell The Damn Story. Episode #354, featuring long time friend for the show, great Ohioan, writer, and publisher Jim Beard joining us going deep on all things procrastination.

Here’s the link:

https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/gcDpFUbgdFg?rel=0&autoplay=0&showinfo=0&enablejsapi=0

OTHER OTHER NEWS:

Promotion continues for my crime novelette Mallory and Gunner RIVALS from my own publishing imprint, Seamus and Nunzio Productions.

This time around, the NYPD detectives are just trying to enjoy a night out with friends at the game, but crime finds them in a most painful way. Now they have the last few innings to sort through over 50,000 fans and find the culprit before the games end and their would-be killer goes free amid the exiting crowd. Twists, turns, some humor and lots of drama, all in a one-sit read.

Here’s the link: https://a.co/d/3bc7V4T

UPDATED NEWS:

My debut as a published poet happens on March 31st from Alien Buddha Press. It’s Been a Privilege is a horror story told in verse. Here’s advanced praise from award-winning author Teel James Glenn:

NEW NEWS:

This week I’ve been editing Sherlock Holmes and the Hands of Othello by award-winning author, longtime friend, and podcast partner Alex Simmons. The play has been published once before, as part of the anthology Black Thunder where it was featured alongside August Wilson and others. However, I always thought it deserved a chance to stand on its own so Seamus and Nunzio Productions will be putting that out in May.

In signature Alex Simmons fashion, the play starts off with intrigue and builds throughout. Simmons not only captures Holmes in all his cerebral grandeur, but he takes the sleuth into new territory as the case deals with racism. An intriguing read that deserves renewed attention and a new production.

CURRENT OBSESSIONS:

MUSIC:

I was listening to some political podcast (yes, I need a twelve-step program) and the guest was asked what he was listening to lately and he recommended a performance by The Last Dinner Party on the Brit Awards of their hit “Nothing Matters”. I was pretty obsessed with that song last year and immediately viewed the clip. They perform it even better now.

Here’s the clip:

https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/wL6tB1gDi3o?rel=0&autoplay=0&showinfo=0&enablejsapi=0

And, like so many others, I am still obsessed with two German bands joining up for a genuinely cool version of “Tom’s Diner” to the point of even watching reaction videos of others watching this video.

Here’s the original clip:

https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/5r3B7yz6J68?rel=0&autoplay=0&showinfo=0&enablejsapi=0

TV:

My wife Glorious and I finally watched Paradise on Hulu. Twists and turns and great performances. Recommended.

BOOKS:

I’m going through one of those periods when I’m reading a whole bunch of things because nothing is really grabbing me. Hopefully, a book will emerge from the pack by next week.

FREAK OUT

I will admit that these days I am constantly battling to stay away from the news because 1) the things our government are doing are outlandish and seem designed to ruin the country I love, and 2) it is too easy to go down a rabbit hole of politics on TV, social media, or news outlets. I have a means to express what I am experiencing and that will be announced soon.

Meanwhile, I keep quietly freaking out that history is once again way too much like my allegedly far-fetched near apocalypse thriller A Simple Rebellion.

Here’s a link to that:

https://a.co/d/in9oMbb

* * *

Thanks for coming by. Talk atcha soon.

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SOUL SCREAMING #4 – a weekly newsletter by perhaps the world’s oldest emerging author

Posted on March 24, 2025 by chrisryanwrites

by Christopher Ryan

THIS JUST IN: Internet rabbit holes are multiplying and turning darker by the day!

We turn now to recent social media victim, emerging author Christopher Ryan.

“I was just innocently scrolling through YouTube and Instagram,” he confessed, “and came across a Navy Seal’s survival book. Ordering this seemed to be a good resource for writing horror or mystery stories. I never even thought of the impact it would have on my feed’s algorithm.”

“Before I knew it, absolutely authentic-seeming experts in their bedrooms and dens and basements were earnestly warning me about the coming third world war/complete collapse of the American power grid/imminent invasion from, apparently, every other country in the world. And as soon as I was appropriately shaken, they each helpfully provided links to solar powered batteries, lamps, police radios, water purifiers, and much more. Now I am prepared to survive any apocalypse but am so constantly concerned about the end of the world that all my writing is about survivors at the end of the world.”

CREATORS! DON’T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU! CURB YOUR DOOM SCROLLING! INSTEAD, WATCH MORE JOSH JOHNSON VIDEOS. HE SEEMS TO HAVE A CALM HANDLE ON THINGS!

* * *

Hi, I’m Christopher Ryan, a hybrid author with forty years of experience in journalism, education, sketch comedy, indie film, unions, community service, parenting, public speaking, acting, fiction writing, and podcasting. I’ve experienced a modicum of success in all of these, but I’m pushing to be more, to become one of the oldest breakout authors in the business. Together, let’s see whether I can get there.

* * *

NEWS:

Last weekend, I actually left the house and participated in the first-ever Long Island Convention of Horror which was a fun success. Featuring a wide array of crafts, merch, pop culture, and authors selling books, there was something for everyone. Live bands rocked the place. And the panels were engaging, informative, and entertaining.

Promo that each panelist and guest was provided.

Me, Nick Mamatas, Paul, DeStefano, and Joe Barriero chopped it up about Worldbuilding in Horror and Gaming.

Marc Abbott, Steven Van Patten, Lara Flara, Randee Dawn, Teel James Glenn, and James Chambers (all contributors to Soul Scream Antholozine, seen between Randee and Teel) had one of the best panels of the weekend, discussing the Top Ten Moments in Horror.

Congratulations to Charles Barouch and the organizers of this event. Here’s to several more years of LICH!

* * *

OTHER NEWS:

Coming on March 31 is the publication by AlienBuddha Press of my first-ever collection of poetry, It’s Been a Privilege. Written as a horror story in verse, each poem in the collection moves the overall tale forward and is written as if in the poetry journal of a pure sociopath having a breakdown. Here’s the cover by Rebecca Cuthbert:

And if you haven’t seen it yet, here’s a clip of me reading from the book:

* * *

UPCOMING EVENTS: Unless we’re talking about the apocalypses mentioned above, I’ll be in my den writing and editing new projects. (“Thank God something keeps him off the streets.” )- Glorious, wife and editor of this newsletter)

* * *

CURRENT OBSESSIONS:

MUSIC:

Steely Dan’s Katy Lied is 50 years old this month. That astounds me.

For those who love the band, we’re talking about “Black Friday”, “Bad Sneakers”, “Rose Darling”, “Daddy Don’t Live in That New York City No More”, “Doctor Wu”, “Everyone’s Gone to the Movies”, “Your Gold Teeth II”, “Chain Lightning”, “Any World (That I’m Welcome To)”, and “Throw Back Th e little Ones”. If that doesn’t get you reaching for your copy, maybe you need to renew your love of The Dan. (Yeah, I said what I said. I hope the Burroughs fans are grinning.)

TV: The aforementioned comedian Josh Johnson’s YouTube output continues to impress and calmly lead me back from the edge of the abyss that is quickly replacing our country. He’s worth your time.

Books: Got back to Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar and it continues to impress. Well written and engaging, I find myself looking forward to reading more.

* * *

FREAK OUT: I think we handled that up top. On the other hand, I am heartened by all the protests all over the country, and by the many countries pushing back against DT’s nonsense. Best we can do is participate in stepping up for our country when she’s needs us most, which is right now.

And maybe stockpile beans and rice and pasta and water and toilet paper and vegetable seeds…

* * *

Thanks for coming by. Talk atcha soon. I hope.

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SOUL SCREAMING #3 – a weekly newsletter by perhaps the world’s oldest emerging author

Posted on March 24, 2025 by chrisryanwrites

by Christopher Ryan

We’re living in historical times. Depending on where you are politically, this is the best of times or the worst of times. But no matter where on the spectrum of opinions you stand, for most of us, it seems like the most confusing of times.

Honestly, it is difficult to cut through all the noise and rhetoric, to know who is speaking truth and who is spinning, exaggerating, or outright lying. It’s getting harder to tell every day. But one gift we have is still fairly reliable – our eyes. What we see is harder to be fooled by, and this week we saw the Bad Old Days in America trying to come back.

To the left in the picture above is Dr. Teresa Borrenpohl being confronted by Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris, who wanted her to leave an alleged town hall meeting for asking the legislative panel, “Is this a town hall, or a lecture?” Now, it is generally understood that town hall meetings are designed for citizens to ask elected officials questions. Secondly, videos of this meeting document others calling out comments, but only Borrenpohl, a Democratic candidate who has run unsuccessfully in that Republican region, was targeted for removal.

Above, we see when the sheriff called in unidentified “private security” to grab her and take her out. Borrenpohl utilized civil disobedience techniques we all learned about from studying the Civil Rights movement, back before that was banned from our history classes.

And here we see private security, later reported to be from LEAR Asset Management of Hayden, Idaho, beginning to drag her out. The video shows Borrenpohl repeatedly asking them to identify themselves to no response, which reportedly violates local city ordinances. These unidentified strangers dragged her all the way up the aisle and out of the auditorium. And as disturbing as all this is, the ridiculous assault charge against Borrenpohl has reportedly been dropped and people have raised substantial funds to cover her medical bills and legal fees.

But it is the rest of the picture that haunts me. We see an entire auditorium filled with Idahoans and one person tried to help her. Some yelled for them to stop, but only one stood up, and no one blocked the unidentified strangers who were physically assaulting and dragging one of the audiences’ neighbors right in front of them. Worse, some laughed or cheered the strangers actions, but as far as I could see in all the videos I watched, none of these good Christian Americans helped their fellow human being.

This on top of careless firings, shoddy ICE raids, declarations that even churches aren’t safe haven any more, Nazis strolling around Ohio, politicians and TV talking heads claiming Federal workers were ripping off the country by doing the relatively low-paying jobs the government hired them to do, and so much more.

America, what are we doing? Even if you disagreed with Borrenpohl’s politics or her behavior in that moment, is this really where we want to go as a country? As an alleged civilization? Is this what our God taught us to do? Who made us think this was the way to conduct ourselves as decent people? Definitely not our Creator. There isn’t a passage in the Bible that says, “Thou Shalt Dehumanize Those Who Disagree With You.” But if behaving this way doesn’t come from the God who guides us, where did it come from?

We all have to ask ourselves how we got here, how some in our country openly feel good about the abuse of others. Was it the podcasts and news entertainment consumed? Did they make this is seem right and good? If so, are those the voices our God wants us to listen to? Or is there a hint of brimstone in the air?

Is this how citizens want to make America great again? By tearing this country apart? In our heart of hearts, can we really say this is the country we want?

Doesn’t matter which side we’re on, all of us, every single one of us, are going to have to answer for allowing our country to sink to these depths when we’re asked to account for what we did when our country needed our help.

* * *

Hi, I’m Christopher Ryan, a hybrid author with forty years of previous experience in journalism, education, sketch comedy, indie film, unions, community service, parenting, public speaking, acting, fiction writing, and podcasting. I’ve experienced moderate success in all of these, but I’m pushing to be more, to become one of the oldest breakout authors in the business. Together, let’s see together whether I can get there.

* * *

NEWS:

Mallory and Gunner: Rivals is out. A short novelette, crime story with two twists – one being the setting (in and around Yankee Stadium, mostly), the other being what constitutes rivals. The book is priced to help out during these challenging economic times, at $2.99 for the ebook and $5.00 for the print version.

Here’s the link:

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/S/sash//cxfxW9mXeoKT4Ys.svg

IN OTHER NEWS:

It’s Been a Privilege, my “horror story in verse” narrative poetry collection, comes out on March 31 from Alien Buddha Press. There is no link for purchase available yet but here’s a video of me reading one of the poems:

Recently, I read from It’s Been a Privilege during and HWA-NY reading event at Shade Bar in the Village, NYC. Here’s the event promo:

And here’s me at the event:

And here’s a link to Shade Bar if you are curious about this really cool place: https://g.co/kgs/zf7j5gy

UPCOMING EVENTS:

This weekend I’m participating in three panels at the Long Island Convention of Horror. Here’s the promo for that:

I’ll try and bring tales from that experience to the newsletter next week.

* * *Subscribed

CURRENT OBSESSIONS:

MUSIC and TV:

Rush has been in my ears lately, because I saw their fun documentary Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage. If you haven’t seen the film, you can fix that right here:

https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/z28WVV-6pQ0?rel=0&autoplay=0&showinfo=0&enablejsapi=0

After watching The Rolling Stones Documentary – the Mick Taylor Years, I’ve been listening to Sticky Fingers, Exile on Main Street, Goats Head, and It’s Only Rock’n’ Roll, which might be the best era for the Stones.

Here’s the link to that video:

https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/sAIYDJ7b10Q?rel=0&autoplay=0&showinfo=0&enablejsapi=0

BOOKS:

Mostly research for a pop culture essays I just sent in but can’t talk about yet, and, because I saw Captain America: Brave New World and found myself thinking a lot about the great Isiah Bradley character, I red Truth, AKA Red, White, and Black. Not thrilled with the art but the story is worth your time, and if you check out the collected trade, don’t sleep on the resources listing at the end. It will make an impression.

* * *

FREAK OUT: I think we handled that at the start. But don’t freak out, do something. Participate in your country’s Fate when she’s needs you most, which is right now.

* * *

Thanks for coming by. Talk atcha soon.

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