✒ Editor’s Note
Welcome back, Talestack Readers!
Whatever season you’re in, the best companion is a good story!
It’s been a particularly cold start to the year in my neighborhood, but here at TALESTACK NEWS there’s always a warm, cozy cup of fresh Substack fiction waiting to be savored! I’m so pleased to bring you this plentiful issue covering the whole spectrum of news, from serial projects to books to submission opportunities to connections…it’s all here!
As always, please hype each other up in the comments. Go visit, explore, give virtual high-fives, and let your colleagues know that you’re with them.
Have a fantastic week, and happy writing!
S.E. Reid Editor of Talestack News
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📣 Announcements!
Finished Projects:
St John Starling recently concluded a 35-chapter queer gothic romance called What Manner of Man, told in a series of gathered documents and letters. From the Preface: “When you’ve read it, though, I’m confident you’ll agree with me that this was very much worth the effort. The result is a thrilling account of Father Ardelian’s remarkable experiences on the island of Swallow’s Rest — the exact location of which, at the time of writing, no one has yet been able to ascertain— and, in particular, of his intimate association with a man named Alistair Vane.”
Alexander M Crow has concluded his 12-part serialized novella, Death and Taxes, which “examines the lengths one woman will go to in order to provide security for her family. Lengths which keep getting longer and longer. Get it right and Merie will be free. If not, there’ll be four more orphans on the streets.”
New Projects:
Scoot has launched his new serial, Selected Letters of Armin Tolor. Synopsis: “Armin Tolor is the second son of the Count of Weyand—a small holding on an insignificant continent in an insignificant planet of the Iris system. Through letters to his friends and family, he will navigate life as his family is turned upside down, a delicate peace is threatened, and through it all searching for meaning and purpose.” Read the first letter here!
Michael S. Atkinson has started a new superhero serial, called Quarks of the Heart. Synopsis: “Meg Atomic must choose between her responsibilities to her cape, her family, and her city, and her growing feelings towards the Malevolent Med-Student, while he is forced to make a similar choice between her and his desire to be accredited by the Committee of Calamity. Hearts, not to mention femurs and the occasional small building, will almost certainly be broken in this dramatic thirteen episode serial!”
Alexander M Crow has started a new 12-part serial called A Clean Death. Synopsis: “An assassin, her apprentice, and one final murder. A city where it is law to wear a mask in public. And someone—or something—hiding in the shadows. Something which wants them to fail. Fatally.”
Brian Reindel 👾⚔️ of Future Thief has launched a new science fiction anthology called The Lewis Town Chronicles: “Lewis Town is a mysterious, unincorporated community in northern Michigan, full of supernatural occurrences, paranormal incidents and secrets untold. Until now.” Read the first short story installment here!
Milestones & Wins:
Joseph Wiess has finished his second novel and is in the process of finalizing a new title and cover art.
📚 The Bookshelf
(Titles listed in order of release date.)
Daniel McInerny’s short story, Pursuit Among the Ruins, is now available to purchase on Amazon! It forms a standalone prequel to this novel, published last year. Release Date: 1/3/24
Misty Evans + Nyx Halliwell’s romance espionage thriller, Covert Obsession, is now available for preorder through Amazon, B&N, and Apple Books! Release Date: 1/16/24
📝 Submissions Bulletin
Season Five of the Lunar Awards hosted by Brian Reindel 👾⚔️ has launched! Speculative short stories and first chapters will be accepted until Sunday, January 28, 2024, 11:59am UTC.
The Library (run by Winston Malone and J.M. Elliott) is now accepting novelettes onto its virtual shelves! Editor’s Note: If you are a reader looking for a terrific resource to find new favorite fiction on Substack, or you’re a writer looking to get your work cataloged, The Library should be your first stop!
Miguel S. has started a 50-word microfiction prompt-a-day challenge called Microdosing - 50mg of Fiction. Check out a recent prompt here! From Miguel: “People are free to join in on the fun and get the first words of the day out of their system with this exercise and so far our fellow substackers seem to enjoy it!”
❤ Shout-Outs
William F. Edwards would like to give a shout-out to the aforementioned What Manner of Man by St John Starling, which recently concluded on January 5th. From William: “It's been one of my favorite things to read on Substack.”
🫱🏻🫲🏾 Connection Corner
OPEN CALL to ROMANCE WRITERS from Kathrine Elaine: “I have an idea of a prompt/gathering, something like Macabre Monday or Warrior Wednesday, but aimed at Romance writers on Substack. Since February is coming, maybe it could be carried out every week on some particular day in February. I know at least 3 writers who’d be interested in sharing romance stories, but… none of us have the time/energy/experience to do the logistics. I’m hoping maybe Talestack News could help us find the right person to lead this prompt?” If interested, please reach out to Kathrine on Notes!
Got something you want us to publish? Have any questions, comments, or feedback? Send it all to:
talestack.editor@gmail.com
Wow! Thank you so much for featuring What Manner of Man! And thank you to Will for recommending it. I really appreciate it.
New to the stack! Going to start posting fiction in addition to my cultural/political essays. Excited to jump into the community. Looking to post on my stack and elsewhere so this is really helpful!