Soul Scream Antholozine ebook prices have been melted down from $9.99 to $2.99 all summer on Amazon! Over sixty horror authors to enjoy, plus author interviews, pop culture features, and more. This summer, save money not thrills and chills!
You can’t use up creativity. The more you use the more you have.
-Maya Angelou
***
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, podcasting, but most often writing fiction, poetry, and pop culture essays. Now I’m working to discover what more I can achieve and share with the world, and whether an older author can find a place in the storytelling business. Together, let’s see if I can get there.
***
NEWSish Stuff
Upcoming live events
Thrills and Chills Book Fair, Middletown, NY, July 12, 2026
Hoboken Public Library – Writing Horror: Bringing Scares to Life and What Draws Us to the Genre. August 1 from 1-3 pm
***
Tell The Damn Story’s 420th episode gets into villainy, after a bit of shenanigans
This week we reach the 420th episode of TTDS and we get into why villains need to be well-developed, multidimensional, and rounded to be worthy of your heroes. We have fun, use a ton of examples and make it a bit more accessible for writers to take on the challenge.
On Writing: When the wheels get rolling, don’t question, tap the gas
There’s a ton of writing on not being able to write, suffering from what is often called “writer’s block” which is a term I don’t support, of dry spells. If that’s you, hit up a search engine, the library, or your favorite book store. Tons of material available.
But what happens when the faucet opens? When the words flow? When writing is going good? What do you do?
The answer is … write. Don’t question it, examine it, scrutinize the hows and whys and wheres. Just let it flow. Keep writing.
When the flow is flowing, usually it is because the ideas you have are ready at least for a first draft. Don’t worry about it, doubt it, or story and wonder about it. Just keep writing your story, poem, screenplay, lyrics, or whatever works for you.
A friend of mine, the always impressive Rebecca Cuthbert, named one of the chapters in her Seamus and Nunzio Productions published Creep This Way: How to Become a Horror Writer With 24 Tips to Get You Ghouling “Be Grateful, Not Satisfied.” To me, there is wisdom in this phrase that can apply well to writing. When it is flowing, we should be thankful, but we should not stop and celebrate because there is work to do.
So when you get that flow going, give the muse a nod while your fingers keep pounding the keys or your pen or pencil continues to move across the page. Take risks, chances, try stuff, make mistakes, commit misspellings, grammatical errors, whatever, as long as the telling or the tale continues.
Amen, brothers and sisters.
***
Promotion the old-fashioned way, using creativity not AI
The next Soul Scream Antholozine is on its way. As you read this, Madness Takes Its Toll is being laid out, proofread, adjusted, proofread again, prepped, proofread again. Such an endeavor requires something else as well: promotion.
There are a ton ways to do promo these days … with AI. But writers and artists don’t use AI because it taints creativity. Yeah, businesses and other industries are all over it, but creatives are a different breed. Not superior, just more aware of what it takes to create.
And yet, we have to get the word out.
I’m not a whiz with tech. Not sophisticated when it comes to content promotion. But I don’t mind being silly. And AI can’t do my silly.
So this time around, I am going for it, producing at least one series of goofy-ass shorts to make people aware that Soul Scream Antholozine is alive, well, and on its way.
I played with the idea of The Muse having ways to get me back to work. Maybe possibly slightly voodoo dollish ways. All in the service of momentary chuckles and, hopefully sparking interest in what is on the way.
Here are the links if you want to check them out:
1)
2)
3)
***
And now for a picture of a handsome fella
***
Pop Culture Fuel
Books
This week, I either continued, started or dipped into a lot of them.
Both are great fun. Slugfest glosses over fanboy stuff I’d love to read about and focuses on the haymakers the two companies hurled at each other. Fascinating. And John Collins’ collections of horror short stories makes me so proud to know him. His work improves every time I read his latest and he’s roaring down the highway firing on all cylinders now. I believe he has a real future ahead.
Highly recommended.
Wayyyyyyy late to the party on this but it is fascinating. Call it author research. Call it self-education. Either way there is a ton of material to discover here.
Recommended.
Wow. Thirteen chapters in and this is riveting. A calm, clear-eyed, extremely well-researched project written as straight up reporting. No slant. No psychoanalysis. Fact-checked with the White House. This is worth your time.
Most highly recommended.
Music
Mostly curating a summer playlist called “fun” and playing Little Feat for Glorious to get her ready for an upcoming show.
TV
More reading than watching, except for …
Movies
Waiting for this weekend….
***
Every child is an artist, the problem is staying an artist when you grow up.
– Pablo Picasso
***
Awright, thanks for stopping by. Talk atcha next week.
Stay young at heart ‘cause you’re never old at heart
-Earth, Wind & Fire
***
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, podcasting, but most often writing fiction, poetry, and pop culture essays. Now I’m working to discover what more I can achieve and share with the world, and whether an older author can find a place in the storytelling business. Together, let’s see if I can get there.
***
NEWSish Stuff
Upcoming live events
Thrills and Chills Book Fair, Middletown, NY, July 12, 2026
***
Work commences on the next Soul Scream Antholozine
Summer’s almost here and that means Soul Scream Antholozine #8 is coming. Lots of new writers and some old friends deliver thrills, chills, and a few smiles. Gateway horror, author interviews, a few panels, and more are all on the way this July.
We might even do a cover reveal in next week’s newsletter. Stay tuned.
Meanwhile, here’s a hint about something else that is coming soon:
***
This week’s Tell The Damn Story focuses on conquering Impostor Syndrome at StokerCon!
After episodes where we explored the struggles I was having with impostor syndrome and how it was endangering my attending StokerCon in Pittsburgh, and then the last episode, where we chronicled what was giving me hope, finally we get to show what happened when I faced down perhaps an author’s greatest nemesis – impostor syndrome. Lots of fun, pics, video interviews, clips from panels, and other positive aspects of getting out there and participating.
ON WRITING: There is no overwhelmed, just a need for strict scheduling opportunities
So I came back from StokerCon feeling more confident and ready to tear through my WIP…only to discover I have not one, not two, but five WIPs currently cooking, all at the same time.
This can happen to the best of us, and can easily lead to feeling overwhelmed and unable to move forward on any of them. What can an ambitious but swamped writer do?
Try scheduling. I know it sounds obvious but sometimes we need to remind ourselves of the obvious to get ourselves moving.
First thing to consider is deadlines. What is due first, second, etc.? If you have a deadline breathing down your neck, focus on that one exclusively, get it down and out, then move to the next deadline, of course.
But if you are your own boss and you did this to yourself, it might be time for a meeting. Call yourself in your office and ask yourself:
Publisher me: What the hell were you thinking?
Writer me: I was thinking of being creative for you, ya ungrateful bastard.
Publisher me: No need to take that tone, I appreciate your efforts—
Writer me: Then why am I in a meeting when I could be writing?
Publisher me: Um, to commend you on all your ideas and ask you how you plan to get all these great projects done.
Writer me: Damn, didn’t think you’d turn the tables back on me so easily.
Publisher me: Just one of the many skills you need to develop in this job. Just like you need to—
Writer me: Get writing. Got it boss.
Publisher me is never as helpful to writer me as he thinks he is. Which leaves me to fend for myself with scheduling. I am finding that these days, early in the morning is the most productive, so my most demanding work is scheduled then, followed by a second session after Glorious goes to work, and editing when the creative energies are lower. Not trying to denigrate the creativity needed for editing, I just find I can meet those needs later in the day while writing original stuff doesn’t tend to happen in the afternoon or evening.
That’s what works for me. To find what works for you, get a planner or even a blank piece of paper, write the times when you can write (whether it be a full at a desk writing session or typing into your phone on your commute to and from work) and test what works best at the times available to you. The idea is to create an achievable schedule not a Herculean task that temps failure.
Schedule toward success and you’ll keep moving forward.
***
And now a look at a handsome fella
While writing this my head of security, Sonny Mehlman, keeps watch to make sure no one absconds with the author. Here’s his pattern of protection:
He always keeps an ear out for trouble…
…then there is the standard visual check…
…and at the first sign of trouble, he moves to close body work to keep me safe. Badass!
BONUS PIC – how I wrote this issue:
Isabella Crumple will not be denied.
***
POP CULTURE FUEL
Books
Yes, it won the Pulitzer (reportedly the first time a horror novel has done so), and yes, that’s why I read it. And I am so grateful that I did. You should treat yourself to this incredible classic.
I followed up the Pultizer winner with an emerging writer’s triumph. I’ve been a John Collins fan for awhile and this short story collection rewards my faith. Great stories by a superb storyteller.
Music
This has been on my turntable since it arrived as a pre-order. A three-sided double album (perfectly Peter Gabriel), it chronicles a great concert during one of my favorite times to see him live.
TV
Knicks, baby.
***
That’s the way of the world
Plant your flower and you grow a pearl
Child is born with a heart of gold
The way of the world makes his heart so cold…
-Earth,Wind & Fire
***
Awright, thanks for stopping by. Talk atcha next week.
Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt.
– William Shakespeare
***
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, podcasting, but most often writing fiction, poetry, and pop culture essays. Now I’m working to discover what more I can achieve and share with the world, and whether an older author can find a place in the storytelling business. Together, let’s see if I can get there.
***
NEWSish Stuff
Upcoming live events
StokerCon, Pittsburgh, PA, June 4-7
Thrills and Chills Book Fair, Middletown, NY, July 12, 2026
***
This week’s Tell The Damn Story dives deep into writing process with Teel James Glenn.
A great, informative episode for writers at all levels. Do yourself a favor and check it out.
ON WRITING: Imposter Syndrome can be a true monster; here’s how to beat it, hopefully
Tomorrow morning, I’m supposed to get in my car and drive about six-and-a-half hours to Pittsburgh for StokerCon, the Horror Writers Association’s annual convention and awards show.
I plan on doing that.
I expect to go.
But, brothers and sisters, it has been a battle. A complex, multi-faceted mental and emotional war that has exposed to me all my fury, doubts, fears, and aspects of self-loathing I was gifted by a parent way back when I was just a wee lad.
It has been a dark period, and I’ll admit here and now that I’ve been a burden to my incredible wife Glorious, my brother-from-another-mother and podcast partner Alex Simmons, and, I’m sure, too many others.
Why?
The answers offer some insight into how impostor syndrome works, and maybe, just maybe, some ways we can all deal with it when it comes for us.
My work sucks. I should sell shoes. Most creatives experience some version of this impostor syndrome trope. Uncontested, it can eat away at a creative’s confidence, and output. Solution: Most times asking this interior voice to list specifically what sucks, in detail, will defeat it because this is really fear of rejection, and everybody gets their work rejected. Creatives are like baseball players; hit 3 out of 10 attempts and we’re in the hall of fame.
Actual rejection. This stings, always. Even perennial bestselling authors know to stay away from reviews or online commentary because just one negative comment in a dozen can haunt. Sure, the math doesn’t add up, but when it comes to creative self-doubt, math simply doesn’t apply. Worse, when a particularly well-regarded work, even if only by an inner circle, that a creative holds dear, can become an atom bomb when it gets rejected by peers. I’ll admit I am struggling with this right now. It’s Been a Privilege, my horror tale told in verse, didn’t even get long-listed as a possible nomination for a Stoker in poetry. That hurt. And it opened the floodgates: It didn’t get nominated because you suck, it sucks, your whole family line back to Irish cavemen suck, you incompetently handled the nominating process, nobody respects you, you belong under a rock, a large rock, okay a boulder, nah, under Mt. Everest-that would be doing humanity a service… See? It can get out of hand very quickly. The cure here is (well, some reading this might say years of therapy, but) to consciously acknowledge that I can name a list of people who did enjoy the work, I believe in the work, and the judges were under no obligation to see my work as we do. Panels assessing work look for all sorts of things, and I write closer to Bukowski (kinda, sort of, sans the alcoholism, sexism, and crudeness) that many of the poets being honored with nominations. The only aspect of all this to be true to myself. Same goes for all creatives.
I’m too old, too bald, too fat, too nerdy to go. This is silly self-doubt. There will be many people there older, or balder, or fatter, or nerdier than me. We can all calm ourselves about such self-loathing with the knowledge that, statistically, we are, at best, probably somewhere in the middle of the pack of all these attributes. To quote the great philosopher Bill Murray, “It just doesn’t matter. It just doesn’t matter. It just doesn’t matter…”
Hell with these people. I’m better than them!” Here my super-ego steps in. “As your psychiatrist, I must prescribe these chill pills, and a large dose of get over yourself and your ego’s self-defensiveness.” And SE is correct. I’m not better or worse than anybody. I’m just me, doing what I do to the best of my abilities. Nothing else matters. We can all benefit from seeing ourselves and our work from that point of view.
I’m not going! Why not? Who does that help or hurt? Nobody. What does that gain me? Nothing. And what does going despite all the doubts get me? Most probably a dissolution of the doubts. Most probably, some interesting panels. Most probably, a few laughs or some cool chatter with friends and colleagues.
We can’t cut ourselves off from experiences and opportunities. brothers and sisters. Even if nothing comes from it, we will prove to ourselves that we can face our fears, shut down our self-doubt and move forward.
Special thanks to The Glorious One, for all her patience and support, and my brother-from-another-mother Alex for the same, and the writers group for key words at the exact right time.
This was an especially trying bout of impostor syndrome. And I’ll probably reread this a few times to make sure I get out the door, into the car, and on the road tomorrow. I hope this helps anyone with similar struggles work through their bouts as well.
***
And now a pic of a handsome fella
***
And three cheers for well-deserved praise
My son Sean was named Coach of the Year, and honestly, I can’t think of anyone more deserving. I’ve seen the binders of plans and exercises and strategies he puts together in the off-season, the meetings with his coaching staff, the dedication to putting the roster together, coaching the players to be their best, play the game with both grit and dignity, stay focused on game-by-game goals and the bigger picture, and to always put family and education before playing. He’ll always be my Coach of the Year.
***
New head shot celebrates more face and less white, white, white hair
***
Every once in a while, we accidentally capture magic
When a neighbor comes a’calling
The other day, I happened to see this squirrel considering this faerie door and windows, and multi-colored pebbles leading up to them. It seems like he either just knocked or is considering doing so. I had to take and share this pic.
What you can barely see are those colored pebbles. They were purchased from an ad offering much bigger glow-in-the-dark discs to decorate a human-sized front garden, etc. The actual product was ludicrously smaller.
I had purchased them as a nice surprise for Glorious as she came home from work. When I saw how small they really were, it became a challenge. This was my solution. She loved it, and apparently, local animal neighbors are intrigued. Win-Win.
***
Pop Culture Fuel
Books –
I wanted to love the new oral history by Paul McCartney about his band called Wings, a group I loved for several albums (until Speed of Sound ruined it for me, and some many other fans). However, this oral history seems to include everything everyone even remotely connected to Wings ever said about any aspect of the band and their work. It is repetitive to the point of torture and easily could have been 200 pages shorter. I am so disappointed. Hopefully, the documentary of Prime of Paramount+ will be better.
Oh well, I still have the albums.
TV –
We’re still binging our way through Daredevil and related materials. Netflix’s third season was dark and Matt Murdock unlikeable for most of the season, but he comes around big time.
We finally saw an Indiana Fever game I am intrigued by Caitlin Clark as she reminds me of one of my all-time basketball heroes, Pistol Pete Maravich. Looks like she’s getting the kind of treatment he did when he got to the NBA. This is a dumbfounding mistake and waste of talent. Let her cook.
Looking forward to the Knicks in the finals. I’m admittedly a fair-weather fan, but it is good to see them go this far and their fast-paced, clear-headed and confident style of play is a treat to watch.
Music –
Still all over the place. Developing a playlist called “fun” and once it is set I’ll share.
***
Doubt is a thief that often makes us fear to tread where we might have won.
-William Shakespeare
***
Awright, thanks for stopping by. Talk atcha next week.
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, podcasting, but most often writing fiction, poetry, and pop culture essays. Now I’m working to discover what more I can achieve and share with the world, and whether an older author can find a place in the storytelling business. Together, let’s see if I can get there.
***
NEWSish Stuff
Upcoming live events
StokerCon, Pittsburgh, PA, June 4-7
Thrills and Chills Book Fair, Middletown, NY, July 12, 2026
***
This week’s Tell The Damn Story offers an AI discussion about AI dangers in the publishing industry
This week on TTDS, I beamed into the East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention in Philadelphia to join a panel discussion on the multi-faceted dangers of AI in the publishing industry. We covered many issues and concerns on the topic, raised more questions than we resolved, of course, but both the panel and the audience participants truly demonstrated how strong a need there is for policy and professional guidance on this topic. If you are curious about the do’s and don’ts of AI, this episode is a damn good place to start.
On Writing: As debate heats up among writers about the crime of using AI to write, we’ve got much more to talk about on this topic
The vast majority of authors with integrity agree that using AI to write our work isn’t writing as much as it is distilled plagiarism. Most hold a zero tolerance policy for using AI for writing.
That’s a majority, not 100 percent.
The same policy exists for cover and interior art in our community. Zero tolerance for using AI.
That’s a majority, not 100 percent.
More discussion and demonstration and policy on both areas is needed.
But I suggest we need to go even further.
We also must hold discussions about what is acceptable to use in executing the other requirements as authors (especially those who are indie and/or traditionally published by small or mid-list houses) because writers most often are expected to do every job in the industry to sell our books:
Writing.
Proofreading.
Editing.
Layout and design.
Overseeing cover design and art.
Publishing.
Distribution to book selling entities.
Marketing.
Promotion.
Researching public events, booking, travel, and public appearances.
Protection of our work from a world full of those willing to steal it for their own profits, including AI.
And most of us do it all ourselves. Without training. Without vast resources.
Meanwhile, even the least whiff of suspicion can ruin our career whether we are guilty or not. Feels like the Red Scare days.
What can independent, small, and mid-list authors do about this? What we always do; research it, discuss it, make decisions, and move forward honestly and passionately.
Proofreading and editing seem to fall under the writing policy. Same for cover and interior art.
How about marketing and promotion? Which apps/programs are acceptable for usage on those fronts?
I ask this because AI is creeping into every corner of the tech world. For creators wanting to do the right thing in every facet of the publishing industry, it is getting more difficult to escape AI.
How do I know? I stand accused, that’s how I know.
I was recently—and politely—accused of being an AI supporter because my Tell The Damn Story podcast partner used AI to create an illustration for a promotion for one of our over 400 episodes, all of which which we offer for free. I didn’t even know he was using AI for those purposes. But the person who contacted me seemed ready to terminate our relationship, both business and as friends, based on something I wasn’t even aware had happened. Honestly, it was heartbreaking.
Addressing that issue created more heartache.
The debate between myself and my co-host nearly ended the show. To his credit, Alex pulled any AI usage out of our promotional materials. Now he does everything the old-fashioned way. Sure, it takes longer, we are significantly more limited in what we can do, and it doesn’t have as much impact, but that’s the most most honest way I think we can proceed at this point. (Thank God for Alex, he always means well and he’s a good friend.)
I bring all this up to illustrate two important points that are impacting so many of us in this industry.
One is the AI Red Scare is creating animosity in our community. Yeah, yeah, I wanna be a Bronx tough guy, but, honestly, it does still bug me that a person I thought was a friend and business colleague seemed ready to cut me out of their lives for something I wasn’t even aware was happening. On top of that, their confronting me created even more serious friction between me and my co-host—a friend for about forty years! That’s how heated this conversation is becoming. All respect to both of these people, but I think these incidents between friends are a pretty good indication that a wider ranging conversation is necessary and guidelines need to be established.
The second point is the AI Red Scare is treacherous because it is getting more difficult to avoid AI. Most apps we might use for promotion or marketing already utilize at least some components of AI. As far as I know, all the social media platforms utilize some elements of AI, whether it is to judge who sees our posts, or whether our posts are even allowable. It makes me wonder whether my publishing platform is AI compromised. It very well could be; how would I know? For that matter, email is. Try composing an email and see how quickly AI offers to do it for you. It makes me want to look around for Rod Serling.
How about what editors use to edit? How can we know for sure they aren’t using AI? Damn, the AI monsters have definitely arrived on Maple Street, eh, Rod?
Even word processing programs offer AI help now. How about spell check, or grammar check? How do we know for sure what is acceptable usage?
Meanwhile, many of the larger publishing companies have adopted or even required the use of AI to lower production costs and time, accentuate marketing, and get an edge of the competition.
We pure hearts are getting left behind.
We’re used to it.
But we need to make some decisions about what can and cannot be acceptable paths to travel in trying to get our work out there before all of us find ourselves accused, shamed, and/or ruined.
I would love to know your thoughts on any or all aspects of this issue. Let me know what you think in the comments section at the end of this newsletter.
***
And now a picture of a handsome fella
Deep Thought McGee!
***
POP CULTURE FUEL
BOOKS
Memorial Day weekend was drenched. Left a ton of time to read. Here’s what I used to fill all those hours:
And credit where it is due, Slugfest was chosen after seeing that Brian Keene was reading it, according to his newsletter. If you aren’t reading that one, I highly recommend you give his Substack newsletter a shot. He is consistently fascinating.
MUSIC
Mostly summer playlists. Dave Grohl’s are pretty cool. The one I mentioned last week that Rick Beato did an episode on got repeated listens as well. And I am putting one together now that I’m calling “Fun” – no political songs, no heartbreak songs, just upbeat fun. When I ‘finish” it (are playlists ever really finished?) I’ll share it here.
MOVIES
Having seen it twice before and having both read the novel, Glorious and I went to Project Hail Mary again last weekend. It still hits all the feels. It is still gorgeous, well cast, well acted, and a basically perfect film. Plus, the theater was packed for a film that has been out for weeks. Yay!
Sadly, we also saw The Mandolorian and Grogu. It was a good couple of TV episodes that didn’t need to be a movie. Not bad. Just not a movie.
TV
On a Marvel’s Daredevil kick. The Netflix shows hold up. The Defenders was fun but goofier.
***
Welcome, my son, welcome to the machine,
Where have you been?
It’s alright, we know where you’ve been…
-Pink Floyd
***
Awright, thanks for stopping by. Talk atcha next week.
“When you’re born you get a ticket to the freak show. When you’re born in America, you get a front-row seat.” – George Carlin
***
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, podcasting, but most often writing fiction, poetry, and pop culture essays. Now I’m working to discover what more I can achieve and share with the world, and whether an older author can find a place in the storytelling business. Together, let’s see if I can get there.
***
NEWSish Stuff
Upcoming live events
StokerCon, Pittsburgh, PA, June 4-7
Thrills and Chills Book Fair, Middletown, NY, July 12, 2026
***
This week’s Tell The Damn Story focuses on the many benefits of writing short stories, and gets me to run my mouth wayyyy too much
I’d like to blame a Barry’s Irish Tea O.D., but that wasn’t it. Or perhaps a case of BlabberMouthVirus, but no cases have been reported recently. It was just me too amped about the topic. a bit too amped.
It is fun and relatively short for us, and amusing. Check it out. And, yeah, I apologize for going on and on and on and on….
ON WRITING: To refuel your writing, read! Watch! Walk amongst humanity!
Many creatives go through that cycle of creative high and post creative lows, when our productivity plummets and guilt sets in, remind us we’re the worst ever!
When that happens, know that we’re lying to ourselves. Or telling a different truth.
Think of it this way; when a car is running on empty, it isn’t demonstrating that it is the worst hunk of metal ever and should never even have been considered a car. Most of the time, it just needs gas.
When a baby is screaming and crying at 3 a.m., they aren’t arguing that they suck as being babies and should be immediately returned to Amazon,com. Most of the time they are just asking for help with a diaper, a meal, teething, or gas.
Or when a politician makes a bunch of promises to get elected and then, once in office, does the opposite of keeping those promises, that doesn’t mean they are terrible leaders … well, two out of three examples isn’t bad.
My point is, a lot of writers and creatives that are experiencing that horrible plunge into doubt and self-loathing are actually just running on empty. Creating artistic works of any kind takes energy, some physical, most emotional and mental, and, yeah, spiritual on some level. Once all that energy is expelled in creativity, the tank has to be refilled or our energies wane and we spiral into doubt, or depression, or utter spiritual darkness.
You know what often helps at that point? Favorite old records, or comics, or books, or movies. They remind us what we loved about creativity, and why we ventured in to this community.
What also helps are new records, or comics, or books, or movies or shows or art. Often, they connect with us, remind us of the power such works have to energize, renew, and inspire.
So next time you are feeling the rollercoaster plunging down, feed yourself, be good to yourself, treat yourself to what you love.
And tell that negative inner editorial voice to go suck eggs.
*** And now for a pic of a handsome fella, who is apparently doing promotion this week
Legendary security chief Sonny Mehlman shocked the world by leaping into book promotion … and not for any books from his employer, Seamus and Nunzio Productions! The scandal almost created irreparable damage at the beloved tiny publishing company … until we all saw which book he was promoting. Since everyone at Seamus and Nunzio Productions is a Teel James Glenn fan, we all good.
***
Pop Culture Fuel
Music –
Rick Beato dedicated a recent episode of his You Tube show to an obscure album from 1973. Brazenly called Superstars of the 70’s, it was basically a Warner Brothers’ promotional collection, but Beato successfully argued that it is also an incredible time capsule of the diversity and depth of just this corner of the music world early in an inarguably incredible era of music.
Also, few copies are affordably available. However, some gem of a person named Deborah Campbell recreated the album’s track order on a playlist (see below). Additionally, in tribute to Beato’s video, pandakicker made his own YouTube playlist of the same.
Check out this track list:
School’s Out – Alice Cooper
Summer Breeze – Seals & Croft
Surf’s Up – The Beach Boys
Sail Away – Randy Newman
Both Sides Now- Judy Collins
Tightrope Ride – The Doors
Lonely Days – The BeeGees
Fire and Rain – James Taylor
Truckin’ – Grateful Dead
Where is the Love – Roberta Flack
Love the One You’re With – Stephen Stills
Roundabout – Yes
Light My Fire – The Doors
White Rabbit – Jefferson Airplane
Marrakesh Express – Crosby, Stills, & Nash
Purple Haze (live) – Jimi Hendrix
To Love Somebody – The BeeGees
Lola – The Kinks
Anticipation – Carly Simon
American Woman – The Guess Who
We Gotta Get You a Woman – Todd Rundgren
Ventura Highway – America
Run Run Run – Jo Jo Gunne
Tumbling Dice – The Rolling Stones
(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay – Otis Redding
Hush – Deep Purple
If You Could Read My Mind – Gordon Lightfoot
The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face – Roberta Flack
Foxey Lady – Jimi Hendrix
Whole Lott Love – Led Zeppelin
Take It Easy – The Eagles
A Horse With No Name – America
Cowgirl in the Sand – The Byrds
Big Yellow Taxi – Joni Mitchell
These Eyes – The Guess Who
Domino – Van Morrison
Amazing Grace – Judy Collins
Listen to the Music – The Doobie Brothers
Woodstock – Joni Mitchell
In the Midnight Hour – Wilson Pickett
The City of New Orleans – Arlo Guthrie
Doctor My Eyes – Jackson Browne
Paranoid – Black Sabbath
One Way Out – the Allman Brothers Band
(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman – Aretha Franklin
Stay With Me – Faces
Chicago – Graham Nash
Happy – The Rolling Stones
Lucky Man – Emerson, Lake, and Palmer
This collection is well worth your time if you like 70’s music. If you are curious about how rich the era was, here’s a great place to start.
Highly recommended.
Books –
A great story, well told is among the best of gifts to the world. Teel James Glenn’s Paradise Investigations series is one of those experiences. Yes, it is a crime series, and a horror series, and a mystery series, all at once. But it is also one of the most delicious “what if” projects I’ve ever come across in years.
The question is “What if we followed the creation of Frankenstein after Mary Shelly’s infamous book ended?” Glenn’s answer is an exquisite exploration of literature, philosophy, spirituality, and, most of all, humanity.
And he does it all in page turners that entertain throughout.
Most highly recommended.
Social Media –
It has been a trying time regarding current events and any of us find ourselves looking for reliable sources that aren’t doomscrollers. Amandasmildtakes does that exceptionally well. She takes no guff, but also refuses to get sucked into the BS of the day. And, most importantly, she backs up her points with legit sources, references, and facts in a way that what’s really happening comes forth in a somehow relaxing way.
Recommended.
***
What matters most is how well you walk through the fire. – Charles Bukowski
***
Awright, thanks for stopping by. Talk atcha next week.
You that never done nothin’ But build to destroy You play with my world Like it’s your little toy You put a gun in my hand And you hide from my eyes And you turn and run farther When the fast bullets fly
-Bob Dylan, Masters of War
***
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, podcasting, but most often writing fiction, poetry, and pop culture essays. Now I’m working to discover what more I can achieve and share with the world, and whether an older author can find a place in the storytelling business. Together, let’s see if I can get there.
***
NEWSish Stuff
***
Upcoming live events
StokerCon, Pittsburgh, PA, June 4-7
Thrills and Chills Book Fair, Middletown, NY, July 12, 2026
***
ON WRITING: Promotion for the latest episode of Tell The Damn Story really stresses me out
There is a very quiet, polite war going on at Tell The Damn Story. My-co-host and a co-founder of the podcast has decided to experiment with AI for promotional purposes. NOT in his writing. Just promotion.
I am uncomfortable with this.
My discomfort deepened a few weeks back when an author I had published (I’ve published around 50 authors in Soul Scream Antholozine and other projects under my Seamus and Nunzio Productions imprint) seemed ready to cut ties with me because they assumed I was all in on AI due to my co-host using AI in our episode “cover” and promotional material.
I had no idea what they were talking about and had to look up the promo myself. Sure enough, my partner had used an AI rendered illustration of me in the promo. That was enough to inspire this writer to contact me with the serious problem they had remaining associated with me as an AI user. Even though it wasn’t me.
Such is the state of our industry these days. The rich and successful can utilize AI but us blue collar creators are once again living with a completely different set of rules, with a slight whiff of Red Scare about them.
My partner, friend, and co-host discussed this. Debated it. And after stressing my discomfort with this and taking actual photos of myself simulating the illustration, he switched it out.
So, that was settled. We each understood and respected our differing opinions on AI. We could move forward.
You can tap that link to listen to our latest episode, which has nothing to do with AI. This is a good, short one, about pitching and preparing to pitch. Worth your time.
The issue is with the above promo “cover” for the episode. Not the handsome mugs on either side (they’re just dreamy, ain’t they?). The conflict is sitting right between us. That illustration.
It’s AI-generated.
Here’s a close-up of the AI image used:
I don’t know if this is right or wrong, if it hurts my standing or provides a way to market the work we do for free as a service to the writing community. All I know is I was confronted about it last time and am stressing about it now. Because I do not know what is right, allowed, accepted.
As for my dispute with my co-host, I truly thought this had been settled. That it was clear my reputation was being doubted by my co-host’s use of AI.
We discussed it. Again. I understand his position; he’s demonstrating it right here. And he understands my concerns. And we’re going to search through alternatives. Again.
But the AI issue is here. Right here, right now, in this business and all others. Not just between us. But surrounding all of us, everywhere, whether we seek it out or not.
Try writing an email—AI wants to help.
Utilize the listen option on a news story—AI generated.
Adds on our social media. Lego-looking political parody. Ads. Book promotions. Indy animated or cinematic projects. Large-scale animation, film, commercial, print, or audible projects. All of it is tinged with AI. Worse, war targeting, governmental and business programming and decision-making, and so on, all now laced with AI.
And not always to positive results. Consider an entire school of Iranian girls was blown up because an AI-enhanced program suggested it as a target and the people in charge of confirming the targets as legit…do not seem to have.
It gets overwhelming.
And I can really use the help AI services can provide. I’m not good with ads for my books. AI-reliant services can do that for me. But it would tarnish my reputation. Maybe. I just don’t know the rules. Few of us do. But some are acting on rules from somewhere, questioning the reputations of honest, hard-working, non AI-using people. It feels like falling into a dystopian novel.
An author recently got dropped from Hatchette Books because her book showed some evidence of AI, seemingly on the editing end. The author denies using it at all, but their dreams are shattered now. I don’t know for sure, but I did not read about any editors or publishers getting fired over this, just the creative.
My co-host even sent me an article to further explore the issue. The article is interesting. The comments afterward serve as a good example of the fiery debate that continues.
We need a large-scale ongoing discussion and exploration of what indie or small or mid-list writers can utilize to give their work a fighting chance in this insane market. Like pens, paper, printing presses, mass production, computers, personal computers, the internet, ebooks, online selling, email, video, and social media have all enhanced what an author can do to get their work out there, AI must be discussed as a marketing tool, a business tool, and we need clear parameters that apply across the board.
Indie, hybrid, and working creators shouldn’t have to live with the twin nightmares of being accused of something we are not doing, and simultaneously seeing others benefit and succeed utilizing those forbidden tools.
Until then, I have to refrain from utilizing AI at all, even if it would ease the business end of my tiny company. But it is tearing rifts in my longtime partnership, and has already caused stressful accusations against me even though I didn’t use AI.
Full disclosure, I understand the guilt by association argument here; my partner has used it more than once to promote us. So, what is my moral obligation here? Must I end my participation in Tell The Damn Story after 412 episodes? Is that what is expected of me? What is fair? Honestly, it feels like right now the expectation is zero tolerance for some, me included, but not others.
I just want to do the right thing.
Your comments are welcome.
*** Here’s a pic of a handsome fella
My sister snapped this pic of the legendary Sonny Mehlman at a high school varsity baseball game. He’s expressing his enthusaism for the sport. The team my son coaches won their league despite Sonny’s lack of support.
POP CULTURE FUEL
TV
The Punisher One Last Kill is a masterful exploration of PTSD that many veterans suffer, as well a exceptionally well done transition from Frank Castle’s deepest pain to repositioning him for the wider MCU.
I was going to write a longer review arguing the merits of this violent, incredible journey (completed impressively by Marvel Television in less than an hour of screen time), and complimenting Jon Bernthal’s incredible acting and credible writing on this project, as well as gratitude for lifetime favorite Judith Light’s quietly furious performance. But then I read the spoiler-free review below and it said all that I wanted to say, and said it well.
If you check it out, please give it a like and a share. Credit where it is due. Here’s the link:
Sheer heart attack Sheer heart attack Real cardiac I feel so Inar-inar-inar-inar-inar-inar-inar-inarticulate
-Queen, “Sheer Heart Attack”
*** 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, podcasting, but most often writing fiction, poetry, and pop culture essays. Now I’m working to discover what more I can achieve and share with the world, and whether an older author can find a place in the storytelling business. Together, let’s see if I can get there.
***
NEWSish Stuff
***
Upcoming live events
StokerCon, Pittsburgh, PA, June 4-7
And I should be at other places, but first things first….
***
The latest episode of Tell The Damn Story features Teel James Glenn
It’s an hour with master storyteller Teel James Glenn, what else do you need? Big fun!
On Writing: Let the World in, it can set your creative soul on fire
I can’t do it on command, and I don’t want to. That would be like pimping the world. But every once in a while, things happening in the world take over my writing and I’m here to encourage you to let that happen with yours, even if it is only as a writing exercise. Every time I have, my best writing was the result.
I am a Kolchak The Night Stalker fan and years ago wondered “What if supernatural shenanigans happened in NYC, how would NYPD detectives deal?” I also wondered what a modern Dante’s The Divine Comedy would look like in modern New York City. Letting my imagination explore those questions resulted in my award-winning novel City of Woe and its sequel City of Pain, featuring my characters, detectives Mallory and Gunner.
When our current president was in the White House for Round One, the thing that were happening made me wonder where we were heading. My right brain asked “What if…” and the result was the novel A Simple Rebellion.
As Round Two came around, poetry suddenly took hold of me and I went with it, twice. The results were the horror tale told in verse It’s Been a Privilege and a last date/love letter to my beloved birthplace, America, We Need to Talk.
After I sort of found my footing as a member of the Horror Writers Association’s New York Chapter, and found the experience to be more welcoming than the sadly colder Mystery Writers Association, I wanted to pay back HWA’s initial welcome by creating something to support/contribute to that community, which lead to Soul Scream Antholozine, which will be publishing its eighth volume this summer. Then I asked how could I make this gateway Horror fest aimed at readers 12-to-100 more fun, which resulted in the Soul Scream staff and the adventures of The Revenants.
These days I have two WIPs that are really cooking in very different ways, and a finished novel getting prepped for market. Am I grateful? Every day.
And all of it happened because I ignored the internal editor’s negative nonsense and just went with the possibilities.
Did I need to do rewrites? Hell yeah. Lots of them. And then a few more. But it sets my soul free, and it can set yours free, too.
Let the world inspire you, and keep yourself open to “What if…” and you’ll love the results. Will it take real work, too? Yep. But I’m betting you wouldn’t have it any other way.
*** A now a pic of a handsome fella
Sonny Mehlman, pictured left, has been getting selective about how he goes for walks and with whom. When it comes to me, he tends to step out of our house and sit on the porch. That’s it. Maybe he wants to give the geezer a break. Tuesday was such a beautiful day, I agreed. I made a video about it that does not want to upload here. It can be seen on my Facebook page. Here’s the link: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1CCEbmKkAk/
As you can see, Sonny wasn’t really that pleased about the video.
*** Pop Culture Fuel
Currently reading a lot of Bukowski, some Marvel paperback collections, and the Stephen King editorial study I spoke about last time, Monsters in the Archives: My Year of . And listening to the audiobook The Franklin Scandal: A Story of Power brokers, Child Abuse & Betrayal by Nick Bryant.
Currently listening to The Traveling Wilburys (still) and Starz (still!).
Currently watching a lot of Marvel – Daredevil: Born Again and rewatching The Punisher, Seasons 1 & 2, The Fantastic Four: First Steps and The Thunderbolts. Good escapism for a weird world.
And, of course, I’m watching my wife Glorious constantly. I hope to watch her for another century. What a constant blessing!
*** Well it’s alright, even if you’re old and gray Well it’s alright, you still got something to say Well it’s alright, remember to live and let live Well it’s alright, the best you can do is forgive
-The Traveling Wilburys “End of the Line”
*** All right, thanks for stopping by. Talk atcha next week.
