Before we dive into the extravaganza that is this week’s edition, I would first like to apologize for missing a link in last week’s edition. It would be a small detail if not for the emphasis placed on links to each attraction, thus it was a large detail, and for those of you looking forward to those guest attractions of classic horror, I recognize it must have been disappointing.

Yes, I recognize you are smart enough to have gone straight to the website, found the post on the front page, and go right to the content. This, however, does not excuse my oversight. As in all things, I am but one imperfect human running this entire operation and will occasionally make mistakes, but I do all that I can to ensure there are few, if any repeats, and will pursue what means I deem necessary to ensure all links are provided to the satisfaction of everyone following along.

So thank you for your patience, understanding, and continued patronage.

Now, what about this edition? We have vampires stalking extraterrestrial Beings in A Vampire’s Vengeance. We have a talking snake in a neon forest in House. We have an unknown and rather interesting stranger arrive at a hotel being shut down for the winter in The Mystery of the Last Guest. And of course, we provide the next installment of Bus Driver, where our man of the hour struggles with the wild tales he’s hearing.

Let’s get into it →

I do believe thinking about the work amounts to working on the work in creative spaces. Sometimes, you need to sit back and chew on what direction you want to take with the content in order to arrive at some interesting ideas about it, ideas worth pursuing. In this same regard, conversations about the work are as important, as they offer insights to the work you may not have considered.

This is what’s been happening this week, particularly around two pieces: Rise of the Warlock Queen, and Unholy Requiem. Rise of the Warlock Queen deals with some heavy themes of violation and vengeance, and while I did not touch the story with regard to direct editing, I have given it a lot of thought with regard to the violation. Namely, does the trespass warrant the reaction? I know this sounds rather vague, but it is the theme that resurfaces and I am at a loss as to how to resolve the question. This may require some discussion.

With regard to Unholy Requiem, I was prompted by a friend who has read the work and offered feedback on its current status, and what came out of it was a profound realization that there is something there in the narrative, something, perhaps, in the narrator, that lingers. This, of course, gave me immense motivation to finish the work; there really isn’t much left to do but implement the suggestions provided by the small group of readers who will have helped shape the outcome.

Other works in progress are those highlighted here, Backstage: A Vampire’s Vengeance, House, and Bus Driver. I expect House to see publication long before the others, though we shall see how things play out.