scars, cracks, blood, and video games

November 12, 2021 3:54 AM

"That Story Isn’t the Story" by John Wiswell (previously) is a fantasy story about escape and recovery from abuse (author interview). "Everything Anton owns goes in one black trash bag. His ratty yellow sketchpad, which he bought to draw the other familiars when he moved here, and only ever used three pages of. The few shirts and khakis that he paid for with his own money, before Mr. Bird took control of his finances." "The Breaks" by Scott King (also available in Spanish) is a fantasy story in which people help each other heal. "When the clerk at the convenience store takes my twenty for the frozen mac and cheese and the cheap wine, I barely notice the fractal pattern of cracks running across his face."
posted by brainwane (7 comments total)

Wow, I just read "The Breaks" and it's really good! I followed Constelación Magazine on Instagram so I know when more stories are coming out.
posted by limeonaire at 7:19 AM on November 12, 2021

Yes, The Breaks is really something!
posted by panhopticon at 8:28 AM on November 12, 2021

Two more beautiful stories!
posted by Jane the Brown at 1:40 PM on November 12, 2021

I'm finding that there's something about the subtle horror that John Wiswell creates that I really enjoy - at least in these bite sized chunks.
posted by drewbage1847 at 11:32 PM on November 13, 2021

Brainwane, I don't get around to reading all the stories you post, but when I do, they're really good. Thank you for posting such good content so consistently.
posted by theora55 at 4:31 PM on November 14, 2021 [1 favorite]

This is one of the first short story links where I've read the stories. They were both fascinating but my favorite was "That Story Isn’t the Story".
posted by bendy at 7:10 PM on November 14, 2021

The Worldcon (world science fiction convention) is happening later this month, and it includes a virtual chitchat session with John Wiswell! There are still slots available as of today in case you want to sign up.
posted by brainwane at 9:28 AM on December 7, 2021