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Robert Spottswood, M.A.'s avatar

“It was a fun, if bleak, discussion. Jane keeps asking me if there’s a ray of light somewhere, and I keep saying, no, I’m sorry, no.”

Your ability to hold/articulate both the hope and the despairing impossibility of any issue simultaneously has got to be unique.

Thanks for this 12 month pie sampling.

Everybody in Vermont

Matt Everett's avatar

I read the story. It's freaking brilliant! Its pacing is very ADHD-friendly - or maybe simply a good fit for the breakneck disaster festival that is modern life.

Noah Berlatsky's avatar

thanks!

yes, it’s sort of paced in a deliberately bizarre manner. I got a rejection note which basically said, “this is paced in a bizarre manner; you should fix that” and I was like, no, that’s the point!

but it was nice Lothlorien got it.

Matt Everett's avatar

Ha! Speaking of bizarre, the variety of reactions to writing, and the absolute certainty of all of them, never ceases to amaze. It's nice when people are able to say "this isn't quite my thing" and just leave it at that.

Carlotta Dale's avatar

I liked your story! Here's one of mine with a dystopia theme, if you'd care to read it. It's very short -- 200 words.

https://punknoirmagazine.wordpress.com/2025/05/19/always-the-rain-a-dystopia-story-by-carlotta-dale/

Noah Berlatsky's avatar

oh thanks for reading it! I enjoyed yours as well!

Carlotta Dale's avatar

Thank you so much!

mermcoelho's avatar

I’ll be taking my time with this list- I’m surprised at how many I missed the first time. Thank you!