Even more than last year. I’ve been really at it in the satire field. Meanwhile, some fiction, poetry, and non-fiction continues to appear. I appreciate all the reader support during this time.
Category Archives: Books
Am I A Published Writer At Barnes and Noble?
A couple weeks ago I received some exciting news.
It turns out that an essay I had written in 2021 and published in 2022 was featured in 2023, making my name appear in bookstores everywhere, including the great chain Barnes and Noble.
This felt like a great milestone. I had to celebrate.
So folks, while I have yet to have an actual work of my own appear in the shelves of such a conglomerate book peddler, rest assured, you can find me there, in a way.
If you’re curious, the essay is titled “In Maggie’s Shadow,” and appeared in issue 71 of Potomac Review. Here is a link to a snippet of it.
You can order a copy here.
The essay gained recognition in the 2023 volume Best American Essays. The essay does not appear in the book, but the editors gracefully selected it as “notable.” I’m blushing.
This Month’s Publications
Hey readers!
Looks like it’s all satire for the month of May.
Here’s a rundown of the stuff you can read: Continue reading
Literacy in the Myst Franchise: Part 5: End of Ages
You might say that by the time we came to the fifth installment of the Myst saga (not counting Uru) that the franchise had been long worn out. That they should have stopped at either one, two, or three sequels. And maybe you’re right. But you can’t disagree that End of Ages really does wrap up the storyline in a way that any future installment would have to include none of the original characters and, besides the ancient dead city, none of the locations. Among other things, Myst 5 also brings around the full meaning of what reading and writing can do for people. Continue reading
Literacy in Myst Games, Part 4.5: Ages Beyond Myst
While quite possibly the least beloved installment of the Myst franchise (and technically a spinoff), the experimental Myst: Uru took the very mode of storytelling in a unique direction. It was much more you-centric, and community-centric, so much so that story was the background for personal exploration. Continue reading
Literacy in the Myst Games, Part 4: Revelation
So far in the Myst games we found a book, we delivered a book, and we saved a book. Something different happens in the fourth installment of the Myst franchise. Not only are we able to read journals, but we are able to use a necklace to read memories. Somehow, Yeesha’s special jewel she leaves behind allows us to experience or “see” powerful memories in certain places. Continue reading
Literacy in Myst Games, Part 3: Exile
We’ve been exploring how themes of literacy play out in the Myst games. In Myst, we opened a book. In Riven, we were shown and given a book. In Exile, we must chase after a book. The third Myst game involves a story of betrayal and revenge, similar to the first installment, but also one of exile. Continue reading
Literacy in Myst Games, Part 2: Riven
Say “Myst” to any reader or gamer, and they’ll probably think of that puzzle game with a strange magic book. While none of its sequels were as famous, the one with the highest reputation was the first direct sequel, Riven. In the past post we talked about literacy in Myst. Let’s now look at how literacy is explored in Riven. Continue reading
Literacy in the Myst Games: Part 1
Do you remember your first time playing Myst? In the darkness and stars you hear a strange narration, and find a book on the ground.
For any fan of the Myst series, the story always began with finding a book. With all the puzzles, questions, locations, and characters, the power of books is at the center of this most unique gaming experience. I decided to explore how each game presents the act of reading (and of writing) metaphorically in a different way. Lets start with that first iconic puzzle adventure.
Published Reads This Month
Hey readers! Here’s a rundown of some of this month’s publications you can read me at so far!
I Asked ChatGPT To Send a Terminator Back In Time To Circumvent Its Own Inception in McSweeney’s Internet Tendency
Please Take Ten Minutes Out of Your Day To Fill Out This Satisfaction Survey in Slackjaw
This Is A Ransom Note From Your Landlord in Greener Pastures
As a Content Creator, The Most Rewarding Part of My Job is Calling Myself a Content Creator in Weekly Humorist
To 007 From The Sardinian Farmer Whose House He Destroyed in Doctor Funny
Boy Scouts Will Teach Your Children to Prepare for Society’s Collapse in MuddyUm
How I Made $1,000 From 1 Chart-Topping Medium Post
and two new churches to try:
The Billy Peebles Church of God and The Bitter Springs Church of God in Backyard Church
CALEB COY 