Dave Higgins's Blog, page 28
November 7, 2022
Oc-Tea-Puss
Betimes the curious traveller comes across a thing of sublime beauty: for me, one such is Keiko Masumoto‘s Kitsch Kogei collection, ceramics that combine traditional Japanese ceramics with octopuses. Of course, if that traveller is also experienced in matters of true consequence rather than the ephemerality that passes for discourse amongst what is known as … Continue reading Oc-Tea-Puss
November 4, 2022
Until the Ink Dries by Jordan Elizabeth
Elizabeth combines a gritty encapsulation of mundane life with a potentially unreliable narrator to create a chosen-one narrative that focuses more on the escaping a current situation than struggling with a new one. Poor and bullied, fourteen-year-old Zuby Bloom’s only escapes from life of poverty are her diary and sketchbooks. However, after years of being … Continue reading Until the Ink Dries by Jordan Elizabeth
October 31, 2022
Gourd Fortune to All!
As a member of an ancient West Country lineage, I will be celebrating today with that sacred and secret turnipial ritual The Mangling of the Wurzel. While I can’t share the details of that with you, I hope you will join me in a pumpkin round:
October 24, 2022
Squamous Decay
Cold winds howl around me! A claw tears at the very fabric! Foulness spreads! The black abyss gapes ever closer! By which of course I mean that we are having our decking replaced, so there is a craftsperson prying up rotten boards and carrying them through the house to their van with the resultant wind-tunnel … Continue reading Squamous Decay
October 21, 2022
Primordial Earth: The Prequel by Baileigh Higgins
Higgins presents three moments from her protagonist’s life, each showing a different obstacle arising from being cast into the prehistoric. Note: while the author is blessed with a spiffing surname we are unrelated by blood or marriage. For thirteen-year-old Seth, it was supposed to be a joyous journey bringing his mother home from hospital. However, … Continue reading Primordial Earth: The Prequel by Baileigh Higgins
October 17, 2022
Straining Credulity
Many yonks ago, when I was at school, I first encountered the idea that I didn’t like exercise because I didn’t do enough of it. At the time, it seemed a little odd; however, I kept meeting the idea as I continued through life and—being older—found it now paired with explanations of endorphins and pleasure … Continue reading Straining Credulity
October 14, 2022
Cirsova Magazine of Thrilling Adventure and Daring Suspense, Volume 2 #12, ed. P. Alexander
Alexander gathers tales that, while they are set in very different worlds and might not always agree on all the nuances of morality, are united by their focus on people of strong character taking action rather than succumbing to circumstance. This magazine contains six short stories, two novelettes, and three extracts from longer works, each … Continue reading Cirsova Magazine of Thrilling Adventure and Daring Suspense, Volume 2 #12, ed. P. Alexander
October 10, 2022
Good Is in the Heart
Local, national, and world news was—as oft—less than perfect this morning, which left me with a momentary ponder about campaigning for a better world is wasted effort. However, serendipitously, I recieved a question about the vampire LARP I’m helping to organise, which will be run in a hall owned by Quakers, which in turn reminded … Continue reading Good Is in the Heart
October 7, 2022
Deal or No Deal: A Case from the Midnight Eye Files by William Meikle
Meikle crafts a tale of a detective with a love of mundane spirits finding himself facing the supernatural kind. There’s nothing unusual about private eyes being asked to find people. However, rather than the usual tale of a missing family member, Derek Adams’ latest client shares a tale of university friends selling their souls for … Continue reading Deal or No Deal: A Case from the Midnight Eye Files by William Meikle
October 3, 2022
Mocking the Devil
The rather knowledgeable and decidedly spiffy Yvonne Aburrow has issued a challenge to write an Occult Clerihew. In remembrance of the first conversation I had with her, I have chosen to respond with a whimsy upon the founder of the Church of Satan: The purveyor of ethical evil LaVey Liked his faith with a bit … Continue reading Mocking the Devil
