I started this tradition back in March when I was still writing a new microfiction every Monday. The idea is pretty straightforward: for any month with five Mondays, instead of a posting a fifth story that month, I would take the day off and use the extra time to promote other writers here on Substack.
With my book coming out in September, I’m slowing down the weekly posting cadence, but I still wanted a place to share other people’s work. Here’s a short list of stories, art, and essays that turned my head in June:
The Embroiderer by
This one is a well-written epistolary horror set in Victorian England. The tagline describes it as gothic body horror, and buddy, it does not disappoint.
The Intuition by
First chapter of a serial, also set during the 19th century. Lord Dovedale is the rakish antihero pro(?)tagonist, hired to retrieve a set of relics for a mysterious employer in the Carpathian mountains. Fun fact: this story was the inspiration for mentioning the Carpathians in Friday’s story. In my defense, the Carpathian mountains also overlook southern Transylvania, so, you know, there’s precedent.
The Spider by
Okay, okay, this is the last horror set during the Victorian era, I promise. Last week, Hanna engaged in the vile, underhanded marketing tactic of giving away her book completely free on Amazon. I snagged a copy, I’m halfway through it, and I’ll probably pick up book two when I finish. Good stuff.
Pine Haven by
Pine Haven is a horror anthology set in Victorian England, hah! the fictional town of Pine Haven. Nine short stories and a longer novella to close it out. The author goes through a broad range of horror subgenres, from summer camp slasher to creepy thing in the woods to Lovecraftian lake monster. The last four stories were my favorites, but I’d definitely suggest reading in order, as each story builds on the previous stories to flesh out the setting.
Fugue on Aisle 9 by
And to prove I read something other than horror, here’s a heartbreaking story that made me walk downstairs and hug my wife.
Label 228: Volume 2 by
On to the non-fiction categories! I can’t remember which rabbit hole I fell into, but it led to Label 228, an art project where street artists illustrate priority mail labels and submit them to be included in a single full-color volume. It’s a weirdly slow read for an art book. Since priority mail labels are small, you can fit a dozen individual pieces on a two-page spread, and there are hundreds to look through. Fun potential gift for an impressionable young artist.
By Any Other Name: The Devil, Hitler and Kanye West by
Finally, this was my favorite essay of the month. Considering the post’s popularity, you’ve probably already seen it, but I’m recommending it here anyway. Trigger warning: this post includes references to the following topics: Kanye West.
How kind of you to not only read my stuff, but comment and then give it a shout out. I might have to write another horror piece and dedicate it to you. It's on my list. :-)
I see you've been time travelling 😂
Thank you for the mention, and thank you for picking up a copy of The Spider. I'm glad you're enjoying it.