Every so often I opine over on Substack Notes (this platform’s equivalent of X/Twitter, for those not in the know) about what I should publish for my authorial debut. I’ve wanted to be a published writer for as long as I can remember, and joining Substack back at the beginning of 2023 has brought that dream closer to becoming a reality than ever before.
My original plan (supported by my best good Substack pal D.S. Brandt, Author Goblin) was to rework my fan favorite short serial Everett Brooks and the Midnight Riders into a proper novella. I even went so far as to share what I accomplished on these fairly extensive rewrites here on my Substack:
Everett Brooks and the Midnight Riders - Redux, Part 1
Author’s Note: I’ve decided that I want to share some of the progress I’ve made in revising Everett Brooks and the Midnight Riders for publication. While the broad strokes of the story are firmly in place, please understand that this is a working draft, and there are likely to be some grammatical faux pas.
Unfortunately, however, I ran out of steam and hit a wall with this story, so it’s been neglected and unfinished for well over a year by this point.
More recently - sometime within the last year or so - I took inspiration from another Substack bestie (one Ian Dunmore) and sent out a query on Notes about what short stories my adoring public would like to see gathered together in a proper, physical collection. The response I got to that Note was tepid (at best); which I found rather discouraging, if I’m being perfectly honest. Thus, my delusions of publication were stifled and caged due to sheer lack of enthusiasm on (seemingly) everyone’s part.
Which brings me to the purpose of this particular Post.
I am once again feeling motivated to peruse my somewhat respectable catalogue of short stories here on Substack and choose a select few to rework for real, live publication; in a real, live, physical book. My hope is that - by making an official Post about it - I’ll be able to hold myself accountable to actually follow through this time.
I’ve already got some Thoughts™ on what stories to include, but I would also love to hear from you guys out there: By all means, let me know what story of mine you desperately want to see on an actual page, held in your actual hands.
Below are the stories that I’m already considering, and I’m sure you’ll notice there is a predominantly historical/fantasy bent, so feel free to chime in if there is a particular piece of fiction that fits within these parameters you are particularly partial to.
Genre: historical/gunpowder fantasy
Sundown on the Vale of Barrows
It was a desolate place to traverse, but their remorseless pursuers had left them with little choice in where to flee, and so they were driven onward into the Vale of Barrows.
Genre: historical/gunpowder fantasy
Genre: satire & high fantasy
The Aqueducts of Avenlor
The cargo was delivered to a city on the coast and loaded onto narrowboats for transport to the interior, via the country of Avenlor’s vast system of interconnected waterways. A small contingent of soldiers from Gremstahl - a militaristic nation to the east, famed for its mercenary armies - arrived with the supplies. It wo…
Genre: historical/gunpowder fantasy
Court of Miracles
Long ago, the Three Moons appeared in the skies above Eldovin, choosing its people for their own. The celestial entities imparted their knowledge and wisdom to the three most worthy inhabitants to act as their representatives among the denizens of the land. While these heralds held sway from the resplendent Lunar Cathedral, the people of Eldovin were gr…
Genre: gunpowder/high fantasy
The Colossal Shade
With a flickering torch held before him to ward off the yawning darkness - a jagged sword at the ready - the bedraggled warrior descended into the eldritch catacombs of an ancient civilization.
Genre: dark fantasy
Genre: satire & historical fiction
Genre: historical fiction
Genre: horror & historical fantasy
Genre: dark fantasy
Genre: dark fantasy
In addition to the ones listed above, it’s virtually guaranteed that this hypothetical future collection will include at least one brand new, never before seen short story.
I am endlessly fascinated by what stories seem to resonate with my audience, so I am greatly looking forward to seeing everyone’s suggestions.
If you enjoyed reading my Thoughts™, please consider showing your appreciation by helping to make my dreams of publication a reality.
CAMEMBERT FOREVER!! Just create a few more cheesy shorts and have yourself a Cheese Shop. You could create a whole new genre — ROM-CAM.
I apologize. I know you’re asking for real and I know your heart lies in fantasy.
Nice list, man. I think I have a favorite here...
https://joshtatter.substack.com/p/the-outlaws-blade-part-1