Letter From The Founder
I’m not too big on the whole ‘New Year, New Me’ resolution thing. You may have gathered this already. But I have set myself a little resolution when it comes to this Symposium. And that is to make sure that I really enjoy the process. Be a bit more organised so that I am not rushing to complete them on time and skimming the pieces and not fully ‘getting’ them.
So with this in mind I am preparing this debut collection of 2025 in style. I am on a cross country train, I have a comfortable seat, a hot drink, a snack, good music playing through headphones and idyllic countryside vistas rolling by beyond the carriage window. I am reading each piece in turn, slowly, carefully, before jotting down a few brief thoughts and observations underneath each link. I’m having a great time. I’m marvelling at how talented our group here is. Which I always do to be honest.
This, then, is how the Symposium is to be enjoyed. It’s a leisurely, mindful, almost post internet activity (as in it is spread via the internet but it is not of the internet. It is not of screen-world). I would suggest all readers turn this reading into a similar ritual. No travel ticket is required though. You just need a little time and a little bit of intention.
I guarantee you it will be worth your while.
Enjoy.
Essays
Creativity is a Relief Valve by Clint
The longer it’s been since I’ve sat down to a proper writing session, the more I feel as if I’m wasting my life, and, when I feel that way, I descend into sullenness.
Clintavo is absolutely on fire in this one. For me this is up there with his very best- a polemic that is both timely and evergreen. No mean feat.
New Year Resolutions and how to survive them by Ana
… make sure that choice is yours, not some goal you think you need to attain because some moron told you you will be happy like this. You won’t.
In the subtitle to this essay Ana Bosch alludes to her advice being ‘unwanted’. Perhaps this is true but I would argue that it is very much needed. And like all the best physicians Ana is able to get you to take her advice on board via a compassionate, understanding and humour filled bedside manner.
The Wheelbarrow of Friendship by Minna
A heartfelt, vulnerable, honest, searching and beautifully written essay from Minna . What else could you ask for?
Jeanne tries to lose a few pounds by Jeanne
Jeanne S gets into overthinking things, the infernal Alexa and losing the last 10 pounds. I suspect everyone who reads this will nod along in recognition. Jeanne’s writing tends to have that effect. That, and it makes you laugh
On New Year's Resolutions by Thomas J. Bevan
Yes, this is an old one from me but it fits the bill perfectly and I’m the boss so of course I’m going to allow it!
High Res is as Relative as Erotica By Trilety
Sexy denim AND a short film. Trilety Wade is spoiling us here. Just try and ignore the fact that I’ve put this in the essay section when clearly it should have a category of its own. And perhaps a NSFW warning for the more prudish reader. Or indeed for those enlightened souls who delve into the Symposium at the office on the company’s computer.
In any case, this is great. But that goes without saying.
Nevédomosti №3: Exhumations and Resolutions by Vanya
Another category defying piece from the maverick Vanya Bagaev . But when you are this good you can flout the rules as much as you want. They simply no longer apply.
Post-it Notes helped me get a Swiss watch by Mike K
Like Alex Ferguson era Manchester United Michael K always produces a winner right at the very last minute. Now that I think of it, James Bond would always do this too, which is very fitting. Great essay.
Fiction
A Self-Made Man by Adam K
Yet again I am going to use the space under an Adam Kozak story to plead with him to release a collection. My bookshelf has an Adam shaped hole in it. And I suspect yours does too.
What To Do About It by Dane
As with many of the best Symposium entries we feature each month, Dane Benko ’s latest spans genres and crosses boundaries. I could have just as easily filled this under ‘poetry’ instead of ‘fiction’. But fiction won the day as the designation because there is a real tale being told here, and a pretty uncanny one at that. Incredible stuff here.
The Secret Courtyard by Greg
Greg Lemon seriously flies under the radar. He’s very, very good. But people will catch on to that in the end. At least they will if I can help it. A real talent.
Poetry
the list. by Deepansh
Our man Deepansh just casually dropped this in the STSC Discord the other day…
the list. six things. a resolution. coffee. read. shower. walk— maybe. work. write. of course. write. 12:00 pm. an email arrives. the list shifts. seven things. eight. nine. ten. fifteen! 5:00 pm. the list stares back. a monument to my inadequacy. another day. another list. the clock ticks. deadlines and clouds— looming. pouring. i keep writing. or not. mostly not. the list wins. always.
And then afterwards he said ‘just add a link to my new marginalia if you want.’
So I have. And that Fonz-like level of coolness has not gone unnoticed.
So that was the STSC symposium on the topic of Resolutions. We hope you enjoyed reading it as much as we enjoyed creating it.
Thank you for your support with these projects we share, 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 keep the STSC going via their kind support, 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.
Cheers.
TJB.
Oh my gosh — run sprint dash and read Clintavo’s essay! He just tapped into the truth and beauty of creating — every freaking paragraph is excellent!