Dame Agatha Christie was a highly prolific authoress. In addition to her cozy mysteries featuring M. Hercule Poirot and Miss Jane Marple, she also wrote plenty of other mysteries and a number of books that could be classified more as thrillers or spy fiction. These tend not to be regarded as her best work on … Continue reading Thoughts on ‘The Secret of Chimneys’
Ash Wednesday: The Importance of Being Miserable
I think a large reason why the world is in the state that it is in is because we Christians have lost the art of doing penance. Our predecessors, even those of a mere century ago, would have regarded us with utter contempt in this regard. I mean, we’re the kind of people who consider … Continue reading Ash Wednesday: The Importance of Being Miserable
Flirty Lovecraft
Since it's still Shrove Tuesday, a bit of last-minute humor
To Build a Fire
I sometimes visit my sister, who lives in Maine. The cabin on their land has a wood stove (fireplaces aren’t used much in Maine, since they don’t radiate heat very well), so I’ve had a fair amount of experience making up fires. You start by arranging a pile of kindling: ‘fat wood’, sticks, pieces of … Continue reading To Build a Fire
Publishing Announcement: ‘The Walk Home’ Coming Friday
I’m excited to announce the publication of a new book coming out this Friday, March 4th (baring any Amazon-related delays). The Walk Home and Other Tales of Suspense is an anthology of seven short suspense stories, ranging from about 1500 to 5000 words each. Tales of murder, conspiracy, mystery, revenge, and other such delightful things. … Continue reading Publishing Announcement: ‘The Walk Home’ Coming Friday
Poetry – “On the Extinction of the Venetian Republic”
Once did She hold the gorgeous east in fee;And was the safeguard of the west: the worthOf Venice did not fall below her birth,Venice, the eldest Child of Liberty. She was a maiden City, bright and free;No guile seduced, no force could violate;And, when she took unto herself a Mate,She must espouse the everlasting Sea. … Continue reading Poetry – “On the Extinction of the Venetian Republic”
Words of the Saints: St. Francis Meets the Sultan
The same sultan submitted this problem to [Francis]: “Your Lord taught in his gospels that evil must not be repaid with evil, that you should not refuse your cloak to anyone who wants to take your tunic, etc. (Mt 5,40): All the more Christians should not invade our land!”. And Blessed Francis answered: “It seems to … Continue reading Words of the Saints: St. Francis Meets the Sultan
‘Rama’ Soundtrack
Gather 'round children, and I will tell you a tale. In 1973, author Arthur C. Clark came out with Rendezvous with Rama, about an encounter with an enormous alien ship. It was followed in 1989 with a sequel Rama II, about the second encounter with the ship. In 1997, the two books were adapted into … Continue reading ‘Rama’ Soundtrack
Friday Flotsam: Disney, Kafka, and Lovecraft
1. The Wisdom of Walt Disney re-release went off with very few hitches. There was a close call where I thought none of the updates (including the discount) would be available by the release date, since, at least as far as I can tell, Amazon doesn’t provide the ability to precisely control when the book … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Disney, Kafka, and Lovecraft
Tips On Formatting Your E-Book and Paperback for Amazon
I haven't self-published anything in a long time, and prepping Wisdom of Walt Disney for paperback and re-publication has required me to learn or relearn a lot of things. Though the experience still hasn’t been nearly the nightmare it was the first time I tried it. To make it easier on any of my fellow … Continue reading Tips On Formatting Your E-Book and Paperback for Amazon
Serpent's Den 