Letter From The Founder
Happy new month!
I will admit that I had my doubts at first. Given that the STSC is populated by creatives of all stripes and mediums, I suspected that ‘Work’ might not prove to be the most inspiring of topics. But it turns out that my mild worries were without grounds and that work was in fact an ideal topic for an STSC monthly Symposium. Our members have collectively turned in 13 essays, 7 short stories and 3 poems as well as paintings, photography and podcasts. People really have put in the work for this one.
And beyond just sheer quantity, I continue to be amazed (and sometimes perhaps just a teeny bit envious) of the quality of work produced. Especially when people really push themselves and move out of their comfort zones. For example this month we have essayists switching to poetry, podcasters writing fiction, filmmakers putting out short stories. A real range as well as depth of talent on display.
So we hope that this collection of work will make you think, make you laugh, maybe even make you get a little emotional. We aim to work on the heart as well as the head which is what art and storytelling is all about.
And on the subject of which, if you enjoy this months issue you will really enjoy Decembers special issue on Fiction. Make sure to sign up below so that you don’t miss it.
Until next time,
Live well,
Tom.
Essays
bookmark #539 by Deepansh
Early bird Deepansh was the first to submit an entry, just days after the topic was first discussed and finalised in the group. And this one set the bar high for everyone else to follow. This is a classic Deepansh piece: short but extremely poetic and insightful. His work has a way of lingering and staying with you, well after you have finished reading it.
On work, off work by Vita
I could be working right now, but I am not. Instead, I'm writing this.
You could be working right now, but you're not. Instead, you're reading this.
STSC mainstay Vita blesses us with the first piece in a while. (Maybe he has been too busy working?) And it is excellent as always. It’s great to be able to plug his work once again.
When Art Is Our Salvation: Luxor Part III by Samantha
Memory, Egypt, Mustangs. One reason I try to keep the Symposium topics reduced to a single word or two is so that our writers have plenty of space to interpret the theme and go off in different directions. And this beautiful piece from Samantha vindicates this loose approach to topic setting. Wonderful work here.
Undergone and Underwent and How to Love People through Dough by Trilety
When we are children, the grown ups inquire of us “what do you want to BE when you grow up?” What they cunningly do not say is, “what work do you want to DO?” That’s the first trick played on us - we believe who we are is what we do; that doing is being.
Regular Omnibus readers will know that I say this a lot but I’m going to say it yet again: this might be Trilety’s best piece to date. She might have jumped over the already very high bar that she has set for herself. Plus there are pictures of vaguely obscene bread too. What more can you ask for?
An Aspiring Man of Leisure by Clint
Why do we label ourselves as what we do, when the label itself often refers to something that we don’t even like?
It’s a simple question, but one that is seldom asked let alone considered seriously. Fortunately Clint is on hand with a whole bag of wit and insight (and great writing skills to boot) to lead us through this question. A fantastic essay.
On Work, or: Why You Should Listen to Me and Get to Work by Adam Kozak
Adam himself calls this an ‘essay’ (the inverted commas are his). I’m not exactly sure what you’d call it as it is sandwiched somewhere between essay, satirical monologue and short story. What I do know is that it is very, very good and the final payoff made me grin like a fool.
Really Useful Engines by Lyle Enright
As a child raised on Thomas the Tank Engine (although I wasn’t- it must be stressed- named after the titular train. As far as I an aware) this piece really resonated with me. Although in my less P.C. childhood the dictatorial Sir Topham Hatt was then referred to as The Fat Controller. How times change. But was does seem to be a constant is essayists looking at everyday things (in this case toys) and unearthing all kinds of insights by taking them seriously. This is essay writing at its very best.
Deep Work by David
One of my favourite types of essay- although the skill involved makes them rare- is when you read and are constantly made to ask ‘where is this going?’ before being treated to a hugely satisfying pay off that rewards your patience. David’s latest is a perfect example of this. Masterfully done.
What we can learn about work from our elders by Andrew Hanley
Andrew examines the data as well as the more existential reality of retirement. We often shy away from truly considering what we will do when we are old(er) but it is vital and Andrews piece is great food for thought.
Momo and the True Nature of Time by Thomas J Bevan
I’ve never been especially career minded. And as well as this being a perhaps innate aspect of my temperament, there is also a certain children’s book I can point to as having had a profound influence on my conception of time and with it my beliefs regarding both work and play.
QWERTY GIRLS by White Rose
The mark of a truly great analysis of a film or a book (or in this case both) is that it makes you want to immediately go out and consume the art in question. This discussion of Jean Negulesco’s 1959 film The Best of Everything, (adapted from the 1958 novel by Rona Jaffe) is a prime example of this in action. Read this an you will soon see exactly what I mean.
'Aard Verk by Timothy
what does it mean to prepare self-directed young people for the world of work in late capitalism?
A truly vital question, which our educator Timothy tackles with all of his trademark erudition, insight and skin-in-the-game forthrightness. This is him at his absolute best here. Tremendous, essential work.
Symposium #6 - Work by Sam McFadden
I feel like Sam has an automatic head-start in writing about work because his analogue, type-written submissions always have the look and those the true weight and feel of hard work. It also helps that he is a natural writer too. That skateboarding line, especially, is killer.
Fiction
You Do Not Have To Be Perfect by Edward
You don’t notice it because he is so skilful but you have no idea how difficult it is to write well in the second person as well as move the narrative through time like this. Edward is a seriously impressive storyteller.
The Unremitting Monedey by Vanya
Vanya is a truly unique storyteller creating his own style and universe. I for one can’t wait until his debut story collection comes out. I will be shilling it without mercy here when that time comes.
On Work And Soul by G K Gaius
A ‘conversation between realms’ indeed. I absolutely love it when the various STSC creators collide and start to reference and collaborate and play on each others work. The whole is becoming much bigger than the sum of its part but this is only thanks to each ‘piece’ being of the quality of people like G.K. here.
The Job Interview by Lyle McKeany
Is it an essay? Is it fiction? Doesn’t matter, categories are guidelines, genres are suggestions. But is it good, that’s the real question. And when it comes to this piece the answer is a loud and clear YEESS.
Trace of Work by DB
Filmmaking, essay writing, photography and now short fiction. D.B. is a man of many talents as this story shows, also very fitting for this Halloween season as well. Real visceral prose here makes for a compelling read.
Michael Maher’s Strange Obsession by Craig Burgess
What’s going on? Out of nowhere Lyle, D.B and now Craig are all dipping their toe into the fiction writing water. It’s almost as if the next Symposium is going to be a fiction double issue…
(Oh, and this story of Craig’s is also an excellent addition to the ‘celebration that happens on October 31st canon)
The Agency by Yuelian
I really love Yuelians work as a prose stylist. There’s a simple elegance to it that means you are hooked and feel like you are being pulled through the narrative. It is extremely well done because it seems so effortless and understated. Great work here.
Art/Photography
Visual art should speak for itself, as I always say here. I don’t believe explanatory text should be necessary. So I am going to simply present the painting and photography submissions with their title and creators name. They speak for themselves. Enjoy.
Work Out: A figure study, acrylic on 9”x12” canvas board by Jeanne Thompson
Work by Sam Bartol
Poetry
Haikus about work by Mark
Man, these are great. Might need to start a petition to get Mark to write more of these. I could also happily own an artsy looking slim paperbacks worth, maybe keep it on the coffee table. Lots of great imagery and phrases in these.
Scratchings by Stephanie
One of the best poetic descriptions of what it is like to live with a writers brain (so to speak). I found this hugely evocative, relatable and true.
What Do You Do? by Yardena
A fantastic poetic riff on that classic house party icebreaker ‘What do you do?’ Apparently one thing Yardena does, which I was not aware of, is write outstanding poetry.
Podcast
A Surprisingly Focused Discussion About The Concept of Work (Tragedies of Modernity #23) by Thomas J Bevan and Craig Burgess
As I say at the outset, given the topic was work I wasn’t sure if it would turn into whimsical work anecdotes or an angry tirade about the downtrodden workers and the cost of living in times of exploitation. I guess it ended up being somewhere in the middle. Craig- a man who can really put a shift in- capably steered the proverbial ship as always.
So that was the STSC symposium on Work. We hope you enjoyed reading it as much as we enjoyed creating it.
Thank you for your support with these projects we put together, thank you for reading them and thanks for all of your comments, feedback and notes. Thank you for taking the time to share them and pass on the word.
And of course above all thanks to all of the contributors and those who help support the STSC via my personal Substack, especially those who keep a low profile, I hope we will be able to coax more of you into taking the plunge and participating in future issues.
And as I hinted at above, the next (double) issue will cover the topic (and medium) of fiction. It’s going to be incredible.
Cheers.
On Work
Nice "work" everyone
A great-looking collection, which I'm looking forward to reading. Thanks for organising and collating it. I love the actual look of Sam's one, as much as anything else. I'll leave a comment there, if I'm allowed.