Risk
Letter From The Founder
Life is full of risk. Even setting this month’s symposium theme as ‘Risk’ opened me up to the risk of having to read a few dozen dull as dishwater essays on probability, risk management and the like.
But in truth I took the risk because I knew there was no risk at all (is your head starting to spin too?). Because if you give our writers a topic like risk you can bet the house on the fact that they will collectively deliver powerful fiction, moving memoirs, and witty, amusing, wise and truthful essays and stories.
And so it has proven to be the case. A savvy oddsmaker would have placed this outcome as a heavy, heavy favourite, a virtual lock, because the records show that with this collection below the STSC symposium has moved to 17-0. Undefeated, unquestionable and, for those in the know, undisputed.
You may call this a bold claim. But as far as I am concerned, with writers like these, there is no risk in publicly lauding their abilities and predicting bright things to come.
Enjoy.
Essays
The Long and the Short of It by F.B. Fanat
When not posting almost annoyingly beautiful photographs from his village by the sea in the Discord F.B. (
) sometimes sits down to write an essay. Turns out he’s really good at doing that too.bookmark #790 by Deepansh
all friendships are scary, and so is all love. there is always a chance the dice are never rolled in your favour, that things go from bad to worse, but it is essential to go outside still and smile at others.
Deepansh is able to dispense true wisdom with alarming regularity and consistency. Always a delight to read his work.
An irrational adherence to risk will keep you on land when you are supposed to be in the water by Trilety
Starfish, bedbugs, condoms, charming photography.
never fails to surprise, delight, amuse and impress with her prose.The True Risk of Pink Meat (also) by Trilety (in an interesting example of artfully skirting the rules re: Symposium submissions)
She’s here again, exploiting a hitherto unused and unspoken loophole whereby she has submitted two different essays from two different websites she runs. I’m gonna have to allow it, chiefly because this adheres to the main rule which is write something really good and I’ll run it.
One Wrong Note And— by Barbara
As virtuoso as a concert pianist performance- the dialogue, the use of timestamps, the imagery (both prose and photographic), the conceit that lies underneath it all. Incredibly impressive stuff.
My grandfather and me by Terry
Heartfelt memories and small moments captured with simple elegance can make for some of the very best writing of all.
I, Pilot by Minna
Heaven, professions and the freedom of the open road as told by
. As well as the obviously great writing this piece doubles as a list of solid, solid film choices too. And in the comments is correct to mention Two Lane Black Top. I get a special joy from seeing all of these strands and collaborations come together.Risky Business* by Jeanne
Jeanne’s writing is way up there- I always smile, I always thoroughly enjoy myself- and it is made all the better by the fact that she doesn’t know how good she is.
Fiction
The Fence by James
, the man of a thousand aliases (well, at least several) drops a wonderfully seasonal, more than a little Dickensian short story for our The Last War by D.B.
Evocative, perfectly controlled and captivating short fiction from
Has a quiet intensity to it that stays with you.How Clouds Became His Cradle by Victor D. Sandiego
Quite possibly the winner of the hotly contested ‘best titled submission to the Symposium’ competition. Also to quote
in the comments ‘Just, wow. Beautiful words.’Indeed.
The Fairy Collector by Clint
Hand on heart I think every writer here is underrated and doesn’t get their full due. (Hence starting this whole venture in the first place). But
as a short story writer is underrated.Artificial Risk by James K.
When done right, this brand of minimalist, laconic, tough storytelling is right up my alley. And this is it done right.
Risk by Maya
An ending done right, a conclusion that is built to and earned and that pays of as it should is about as satisfying a thing as I can think of. This story is a prime example of what I am talking about
Paths Forsaken by Edward
I feel like every time I write a little blurb for one of Edward (
)stories I end up saying the same thing. But that is because my impression has yet to change. I remain as impressed as ever with the man and his ultra-prolific, universe building, Millennia spanning, curated Spotify soundtrack containing oeuvre as ever. And I don’t see that changing any time soon.Update: Special Poetry Section Just For Vita
Risk by Vita
took a risk and sent me a poem as a message in our Discord. I screenshotted it but forgot to include it. So I am now taking the risk of updating this Symposium post-publishing to include a link to said poem in Substack format.And let it be said that the reason why I am doing this is because the poem is good.
So that was the STSC symposium on Risk1. We hope you enjoyed reading it as much as we enjoyed creating it. Thanks as always to those who help keep the STSC going via their kind support.
Because we are getting closer to the most wonderful time of the year Decembers Symposium will be a little later than it is every other month as we bring you the annual FICTION DOUBLE ISSUE.
That’s right, on Sunday 17th December the Symposium will take the form of a free short story collection for you to enjoy over the festive period.
I don’t know about you but I can’t wait.
Cheers.
This did not say originally something different because of inattentive proofreading. You are mistaken. *waves pocket-watch in front of your eyes*
You all at the STSC know how much I love to read. This one makes me feel like a kid in a candy store. So good, all of it!
" dull as dishwater essays on probability, risk management and the like" 🤣🤣 I love your intros, Tom. Thanks for kind words on mine