Evil Editor's Blog, page 364

New Beginning 724

Leaning forward, Jane Fogg trained her Nikon on the scarlet tanager in the canopy of leaves. The songbird cocked its head. It would be a good photo. The muted light was perfect.

"Stay there, you little bastard," she whispered. "Stay there, stay there."

Branches cracked across the creek. Mouth open, the birder forgot about her shot. A black saucer-shaped craft flew through the sparse woods on a low trajectory toward the ground, mowing down thin green saplings and clumps of underbrush. The imposs...

Cartoon 567

Caption: John

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Book Chat

In the comments, beginning at 6 P.M. eastern.

Writing Exercise

Evil Editor needs an attorney, if for no other reason than to appear in future cartoons. He has invited this person to his office for a conversation that could lead to a long-term business relationship. Write the scene. The attorney will, of course need a name, which will be chosen from among those used in the submitted scenes.

Deadline: Sunday, 10 AM eastern

300 words max.

Face-Lift 724

Guess the Plot

Playing Dead

1. Kaleena Shrapner, agent of the Midwest Regional Supernatural Control office, is dead . . . but only in the realm of the living. In the realm of the dead, she's alive. Which is highly annoying to those in the Realm of the Dead who are dead. Or undead.

2. Unlike all the other foxes, Eddie hates hunting and killing. Eddie enjoys the relaxed life of swimming in the pond and lounging in the sun. So, taking a cue from his possum friends, he plays dead in order to get e...

Q & A 175

I've read that it's important to address cover letters to the editor by name. But when I look at magazine mastheads there are often several editors, or an editor, a managing editor and a senior editor. Is it appropriate to email and ask to whom a cover letter should be addressed, or is that likely to irritate the staff? Is putting one of the editors' names down adequate?

The managing editor bosses people around and takes two-hour, six-martini lunches. You don't want her. The senior editor us...

Cartoon 566

Caption: Anon.

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Success Story

Bernita Harris reports that she has a story in the new anthology Weirdly, Volume III.

Synopsis 24

Ryan is a young boy, unhappy with his small-town life. He is, however, given the opportunity to see the world when a soldier rides into town and recruits him. Ryan demonstrates exceptional skill with the sword, and is made the squire to the most skilled knight in the realm, Armand. Unfortunately for Ryan, Armand doesn't want a squire, and resents that his superiors are forcing such a burden upon him. This resentment creates an escalating conflict between the two, which is reflected in the bac...

Cartoon 565

Caption: Anon.

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