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Letter From The Founder
Usually, of course, I use this opening letter to tell you about all of the great writing and art that follows. But today I get to do something different. You see, long time STSC member James has released his children’s book and so this letter automatically has to become a plug for that and an acknowledgment of him.
(I look forward to more and more letters becoming like this as more and more members release actual physical books and works).
James has now released The King and The Dragon- which is a powerful and beautiful poetic retelling of the bible story. It is aimed at children aged 3-5 (and their parents) but can enjoyed by all. It’s a great technical achievement from a poetry standpoint and features phenomenal illustrations and great storytelling. I think there is truly something here for everyone regardless of age or religious belief.
James is a great guy who we’ve all gotten to know during this last year or so over at the Social Club and I’m gonna speak for everyone when I say we’re proud of his achievement here and hope that The King and The Dragon sees the success that it deserves.
You can click the button below to learn more about the book and to pick up your copy.
Live well,
Tom.
Essays
Eruption: Finding God in Van Halen by Brady
‘I was nine years old the first time I remember God speaking to me. It wasn't with his voice, but through Eddie Van Halen's guitar.’
This, ladies and gentlemen, is how you start an essay. Brady the essayist is back with a vengeance.
The Orthodoxy of Heterodoxy by Luke Burgis
This might be Luke’s best essay piece to date, and those who are regular readers know I don’t say that lightly. I’m hugely looking forward to getting the chance to sit down with Luke and record a real conversation about some of the topics he touches on here.
Accepting Responsibility by Pr0ph3t
Love this meditation format and the gems that always result from it. The break from linearity and convention can bring profound results. Read this.
Reflection #6 by Clint
This is an excellent (re)reminder for many of us, I would say. A great meditation on duality, the moment, and the nature of the trickster.
Navigating Doubts by Rob
Something to read, something to look at, something to implement. A simple but wonderful format that is fully delivered upon. Really, really enjoyed this one.
You're About to Hear the Butterflies Fight by Trilety
Since the first day she showed up in the STSC, not that long ago at all, I feel like Trilety has effectively put this (for some reason) predominantly male collective on notice as to what excellent writing and heart and courage and skill in prose is all about. And as a result I am seeing more female sign ups in the email list. Sometimes you get exactly what you need exactly when you need it.
I Smoked DMT by Lou
The STSC is about true diversity of opinion and outlook united by quality. So in the same issue where we celebrate a Christian children’s book we can also take in an insightful essay about psychedelics. This is what it’s all about.
Blood-Soaked Stationery by Tony
He’s back. And he’s riffing and telling stories and rewriting the rule book like a man possessed. Intoxicating prose that you just want to inhale.
bookmark #464 by Deepansh
‘little is required for a good life—only a few tenets to follow, and all shall fall into place. there is little need for elaborate principles and odd philosophies. you must be as kind as you can be, and you must revel in the little things, and in the end, you must learn that most of life is chock-full of little things. there is plenty to celebrate if you are of the mind to celebrate in the first place.’
I always have the urge to simply quote Deepansh’s entire piece rather than talk about. Real substance and supreme style both. Always. Real it and see.
Why Write? by Frank
Personal, practical and powerful. Forget all the other guides and books and explorations on how to approach the business of writing stories like a professional. This is the one. Trust me on that.
You have only one priority by ?!
‘How are you like an artificial intelligence trained with reinforcement learning?’
The artist known as ?! aka WhatBang has raised his own personal bar for quality with this one. This is deep. It’s worth the focus it demands of you.
A Sense of Prudence by Charles Schifano
Patricia Highsmith, Thomas Mann and Venice are all-given the Schifano treatment. Incredible as always, but I don’t have to tell you that by now. Proud to have our man Charles on the roster.
The Escape Artist by Paul Publisher
Paul’s astro knowledge is second to none and his way with an image and a turn of phrase is as apparent as ever in this one. I maintain that when he finally takes the plunge to livestreaming his astrological insights on youtube or twitch he is going to become a sensation once people catch up to him. Please join me in needling him to get this going.
Changing Strings by Yuelian
Yuelian’s simple clean prose coaxes you in and before you know it you are profoundly moved. To be able to make this happen piece after piece is a remarkable skill. Kudos.
The Tragedy of English Cooking by Thomas J Bevan
I finally put an essay out. I blame the heat. But still I’m pleased with how this turned out and this seems to be resonating from what I can tell. Good to be back in the saddle.
The First Visit (revisited) by Lyle
I find the reissue of older pieces a very interesting phenomenon. You can see that even early on in his Substack essay journey Lyle’s style, heart, themes and truthful storytelling abilities are already there front and centre. I enjoyed this one a great deal.
Poetry
From Elysium by G K Gaius
We are scattered around the world. We are the lost boys. Their ideas fractured our foundation. They thought it fickle just like the Vat Thought us little. So obtuse they are for we are sonder. They cackled and ignored our foundation. At first, we fidgetted at their grotesque ideas. But now we’re lost for their fickle Ideas of theirs changed us. We are the lost boys. From Elysium Extracted Into Chaos. Who are they? They are those that made us Conform.
Three in the Morning By David
I want to make a deliberate effort to acknowledge David here for a second. In an unassuming way he is really building up a body of work of poetry and shorter fiction. He delivers the goods in a very pure way. Creativity and then ‘here you are’.
This is exactly how I imagined the more poetic writers to utilise the STSC platform. Craft the gifts and then simply offer them up.
Fiction
Saved by the Click by Richard
STSC newcomer Richard has come out strong with a prolific run of work on his Curious Considerations website. If the pace and energy shown thus far in his archive are anything to go by he is certainly one to watch.
Podcasts
Delightfully Indescribable (IT'S OT) by Craig
Its so hot that the H has melted and it is now ot. Ot as Ell I would personally say.
Maybe Craig can use the money from the 4 paid subscribers to buy a fan or something.
TJB Film Recommendation
To Live And Die In L.A. (1985)
D. William Friedkin
W. William Friedkin, Gerald Petievich
S. William Petersen, Willem Dafoe, John Pankow
There are a number or Friedkin films I could have opted to showcase here- The Exorcist or The French Connection if I were to go for the acknowledged masterpieces or, say, Sorcerer or Cruising if I wanted to highlight the lesser known classic.
But that being said I’m going to go based on personal favourite which means the Friedkin film of choice for me has to be To Live and Die in LA.
Friedkin films always capture there era perfectly (or perhaps they shape it) and so what we have here is pure mid 80’s Los Angeles neo-noir: neon sunsets, frenetic cocaine energy, modernist architecture, Wang Chung New Wave synth washes, pastel colours and gore.
The script and action are tight, the car chase is fantastic (as you would expect from the director of The French Connection) and leads William Petersen and Willem Dafoe deliver the goods. What more do I need to say?
Thanks as always for reading/listening and thanks in advance for pressing all of those various buttons at the bottom which help the Omnibus spread further.
Also I can again confirm that Craig and I will be recording a new episode of the Tragedies of Modernity podcast tonight at 8pm GMT. Honest. We’ll host it and record it live from the STSC community and then post it via this Substack tomorrow.
If you want to join us live and listen in and post questions/comments/heckles in the podcast channel chat you are more than welcome. You simply have to sign up to the community first.
I look forward to seeing you over at the Social Club.
Cheers!