ISSUE 84 · OCTOBER 23, 2026
STORIES. ART. WIT. LEISURE.
SMART READING WHEN TIME IS TIGHT.
NO ADS, POP-UPS, OR DISTRACTIONS.SPONSORED BY
NEW STORIES (MEMBERS ONLY)
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BOOKS THAT MAKE YOU FEEL OCTOBER
MARIANNA GAVURMADZHYAN · BOSTON, MASS.
Artwork: "Waiting on the Wolf" by Scott Padgett Fine Art, all rights reserved.
Discover five atmospheric books for October, where obsession, buried secrets and dark humor make for thrilling autumn reading beyond traditional horror.
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CLICKETY-CLACK
EMANUEL (MANI) ISLER · DENVER, COLO.
Photo: Vintage Smith Corona Typewriter, photographer unknown.
Stuck in a writing rut, a writer buys a vintage Smith Corona typewriter at an antique shop. Then the strange noises start at 2 a.m.
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A JACK-O'-LANTERN
COOL HAND FRANK
Sketch: "Jack-O'-Lantern" by COOL HAND FRANK, all rights reserved.
Two teens follow a mysterious light to an abandoned house on Halloween night in “A JACK-O’-LANTERN,” a horror short story by COOL HAND FRANK.
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CERTAINLY UNCERTAIN
MARIANNA GAVURMADZHYAN · BOSTON, MASS.
Artwork: "future" by Lynne McDonald, all rights reserved.
The above accompanying artwork on this webpage is the sole property of artist Lynne McDonald and held under copyright. Lynne McDonald’s images, artwork, and content on this website and her website may not be copied, collected, or used for personal or professional gain without written permission from her.
A college senior confronts graduation anxiety, future plans and the daunting question of where life might lead after commencement.
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"HITHER, SPORK!"
COOL HAND FRANK
Sketch: “Spork” by COOL HAND FRANK, all rights reserved.
A witty case for why the humble, much-maligned spork deserves a permanent seat at every dinner table — from melting ice cream disasters to Steve Jobs's stolen simplicity quote.
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THE END OF THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT
JASON ROGERS · KENNESAW, GA.
Artwork: “Beyond” by Lynne McDonald, all rights reserved.
The above accompanying artwork on this webpage is the sole property of artist Lynne McDonald and held under copyright. Lynne McDonald’s images, artwork, and content on this website and her website may not be copied, collected, or used for personal or professional gain without written permission from her.
A personal pop-culture essay on “Red Dawn”, “Mad Max”, “The Dog Stars”, COVID and why stories about surviving the end of the world remain so irresistibly entertaining.
CONTRIBUTOR ANNOUNCEMENTS
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TENSION
Here is your exclusive first look at this brand-new original painting before it goes public at Art By Marilyn Silverman.
30 by 40 inches, acrylic on canvas, unframed.
Contact Marilyn directly for pricing. Buy the original before someone else does.
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The Chroma Collection
by JILLERY.
Brand new —the complete 8-piece Chroma Collection by contributing artist JILLERY. From the radiant hues of “Where the Sea Meets the Sky” and “Starlit Periwinkle” to our final pieces like the “Summer’s End Necklace” and “Twilight Tide Bracelet,” every piece in this collection is handcrafted with love, intention, and precious gemstones.
Thank you for always supporting this art, this brand, and COOL HAND FRANK.
With love, JILLERY.
THIS MONTH'S GOOD CAUSE
ARTIST GALLERY PREVIEW
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!["Angles in Motion," Marilyn Binder Silverman, all rights reserved.]()
MARILYN BINDER SILVERMAN
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!["IN DRY DOCK," RAY BRILLI FINE ART, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.]()
RAY BRILLI FINE ART
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!["The Equalizer" by Séverine Rigaud, 2024. Featured at Gallery Anderson Smith.]()
ELIKYA ART
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!["I don't believe you" by Mr. Hooper Art.]()
MR. HOOPER ART
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![14K Yellow Gold Fish Scales Necklace by JILLERY., 2020.]()
JILLERY.
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![“Unforgettable” by J. King Artworks, 2023.]()
J. KING ARTWORKS
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!["SET FREE," RICH LO]()
RICH LO
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!["Wanderlust" by Lynne McDonald.]()
LYNNE MCDONALD
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![“Emergency Contacts” by Christina Moser, 2022.]()
CHRISTINA MOSER
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![OBSCURE NONSPECIFICS]()
OBSCURE NONSPECIFICS
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![“Blood Moon Dance” by Scott Padgett Fine Art.]()
SCOTT PADGETT FINE ART
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![“Back in Black” by Kelly Saunders Art, 2022.]()
KELLY SAUNDERS ART
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![“Swagger” by Kirk Stansbury, 2015.]()
KIRK STANSBURY
FEATURED WRITERS
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COOL HAND FRANK
How do you plan to celebrate Halloween this year?
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MARIANNA GAVURMADZHYAN
“I’m gonna be Vanellope von Schweetz from ‘Wreck-It Ralph.’” -
MANI ISLER
“Watching my favorite scary movie: the original ‘The Haunting,’ with a bowl of popcorn nearby.” -
JASON ROGERS
“I plan on giving candy to the neighborhood trick-or-treaters, listening to the Disney record, ‘Chilling, Thrilling Sounds of the Haunted House,’ and then watching a fun horror movie from my collection ... unless I get a better offer this year.” -
EMILY SLEPSKY
“Going to a house party!”
FEATURED WRITER SELECTIONS
WANNA BET?
EMANUEL (MANI) ISLER · DENVER, COLO.
Artwork: “Angles in Motion” by Marilyn Binder Silverman, all rights reserved.
This accompanying artwork is the original, protected, and sole property of artist Marilyn Binder Silverman and held under copyright. Marilyn Binder Silverman’s images, artwork, and content on this website and her website may not be copied, collected, or used for personal or professional gain without written authorization from her.
Sports used to sell beer and razors. Now they sell the promise of easy money. A witty personal essay on gambling’s grip on modern culture.
ASK ME ANYTHING (I MIGHT LIE)
Peanut butter M&M’s?
— JOSH, SAVANNAH, GA.
Josh,
Even better than peanut M&M’s and their classic yellow bags. Especially on Halloween.
COOL HAND FRANK
RIDICULOUS WORD
ON THE STEREO
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![YEAH YEAH YEAHS, "HIDDEN IN PIECES: LIVE AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL"]()
HIDDEN IN PIECES LIVE AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL
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![FONTAINES D.C., "DOPAMINE CHAMBER"]()
DOPAMINE CHAMBER
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![CAMERON WINTER, "LIVE AT CARNEGIE HALL"]()
LIVE AT CARNEGIE HALL
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![PAUL SIMON, "THE QUIET CELEBRATION CONCERT"]()
THE QUIET CELEBRATION CONCERT
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![ROBERT PLANT, "SAVING GRACE: ALL THAT GLITTERS..." (EP)]()
ALL THAT GLITTERS... (EP)
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![BECK, "RIDE LONESOME"]()
RIDE LONESOME
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![INTERPOL, "THIS MIRROR WEIGHS A TON"]()
THIS MIRROR WEIGHS A TON
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![CHARLI XCX, "MUSIC, FASHION, FILM"]()
MUSIC, FASHION, FILM
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![THE STROKES, "REALITY AWAITS"]()
REALITY AWAITS
ON THE SCREEN
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![THE SOCIAL RECKONING]()
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![VERITY]()
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![DIGGER]()
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![WAR]()
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![BROTHERS]()
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!["MOBLAND" (SEASON 2)]()
SEASON 2
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![OASIS: DON'T LOOK BACK IN ANGER]()
