The Storyletter

With the ability to control subscription tiers, access newsletter stats and metrics, and the ease with which to engage readers and fellow creators, Substack is an independent writer’s dream platform. Almost. Substack performs its established functions quite well. Creating an account allows you to build a home for your work with limited friction. Sharing articles and connecting with other newsletters is straightforward, and the community is incredibly supportive.

"Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens." - Khalil Gibran Twenty thousand feet above the bastion city of Damashk, the air brushed across Azmi’s face like a lover's gentle caress. The young captain lifted the scarf over his nose, blocking the wind.

Dear Reader, I usually space Showcases out, but I wanted to take the time to highlight something really special. This month is the first season of the Lunar Awards, a Substack society created by Brian Reindel (check out his interview here). The current deadline to submit is April 18th. I’m not affiliated with the Lunar Awards, I’d just like to spread the word so that if you might be interested, you have enough time to prepare your entry.

The world is digitizing. Metaverses are taking shape all around us. Automation is the new normal. Almost anything can be delivered without ever meeting those involved with its design, production or shipping. Reality is molded by the tap of a button. Say we time travelled back 100 years ago. Could someone from that era be convinced that in the future they could set up an online store, digitally render products, and manage all of the inventory in another state for a profit without breaking a sweat?

Dear Reader, Something I like to do is connect readers and writers with publishing companies putting out awesome stuff. Showcases are a chance for me to highlight an indie creator or company. This week, I’ll be covering a company called Timber Ghost Press. Full disclosure: I know the owner of Timber Ghost Press (hereafter referred to as TGP), and I do have a story releasing in one of their books this year.

I noticed a phenomenon on social media where the representation of likes becomes the catalyst for growth - where recognition breeds validation in a sort of ever-growing snowball effect. This has something to do with what is called the “mimetic theory of desire”, and though it isn’t bound to social media, it is far more discernable due to the algorithms set in place. Apparent success breeds more success.

I've been struggling with self-doubt brewing in my subconscious like a storm on the open ocean. There’s a sense of panic mixed with turbulent uncertainty. It's akin to what some might call "Imposter Syndrome". Apparently, it’s quite common and comes in various forms. The good thing is that I’m not depressed because of it. On the contrary, I’m quite happy with my writing, running this Substack, and interacting with you.

Write a poem or flash fiction piece that explores the concept of the unknown. This could be a journey into the infinite expanse of space, a dive into the deepest depths of the ocean, or a trippy exploration of the human mind. Use sensory details and vivid imagery to create a sense of wonder and intrigue, and leave room for interpretation and reflection. Flash fiction is generally anything under 1,000 words (for the sake of this prompt).

There is no exquisite beauty…without some strangeness in the proportion. - Edgar Allen Poe, Ligeia Andi knew she was in a basement. She couldn’t see, but she could smell mildew and feel the cold cement against her naked feet. The world had gone black since the woman who called herself Agnes pulled thick fabric over her eyes and tied it tightly behind her head. The band of muscle that ran from her eyes to the nape of her neck ached from it. She could still hear.

Dear Reader, Writing independently can be a tough gig to manage, but we shouldn’t write in a vacuum because, well, that sucks! *facepalm* All jokes aside, one of the main tenets of The Storyletter is to platform others. In our last newsletter, I mentioned that the Featured section would be moving to Showcases. Showcases will function as a way for me to highlight a book, writer, artist, creator, publisher, or Substack that I enjoy.