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And now I've gotten an email from Susanna Porter, Vice President & Executive Editor at Ballantine Penguin Random House. I wonder if she knows Megan…

Coral followed Jimmy out of the bar into still tropical air. It had rained and the sidewalks were wet. She hurried to keep up with his long strides as he led her down the street. They arrived at a black pickup truck that was painted with flowers: stylized daisies and dandelions.
He opened the passenger door and held it for her. When she struggled to climb in, he picked her up and set her on the bench seat, closed the door, and walked around to the driver's side.
"Buckle up," he said. #wss366

That's one…

I'm ready to make a new shimenawa…

Jimmy led Coral back out through the bar. A #blues trio on stage pumped out deafening beats. Coral could feel the bass thumping in her belly. People packed the floor of the bar.
Jimmy moved briskly through the crowd. His imposing size caused people to move involuntarily. Those that didn't move, got pushed aside. A glance at his expression was enough to warn people not to respond. Coral stayed close behind, moving in his shadow, and followed him out. #wss366

When Trump says "A whole civilization will die tonight," you understand that he's talking about OUR civilization, as we enter barbarism. #uspol

We're getting some amazing sleet in #WesternMass!

"It's Mom," Coral said. "She's gone."
"Mom…" Jimmy said. "Um… Which ex-wife is that?"
"Uh… Number two?"
"Right! Carol!"
"No! Joyce!"
"Joyce! Are you sure she's Number Two?"
"I'm sure she's my mom. And that she's missing."
"Now we're getting somewhere!" Jimmy said, giving himself a shake. "Let me grab my #kit and we'll go investigate" #wss366

Well, that was a weird rejection letter. It said my story's "unique reflection […] will not be revealed at this time." Oooooookay.

#SilentSunday in Sweetser Park, Amherst #WesternMass

Jimmy picked her up and set her on top of a urinal, which brought her face almost even with his. He handed her his cocktail, unzipped his trousers, and leaned forward, putting his head next to hers.
"Ahhhh!" he sighed. "Start talkin'! This is gonna take a while." (2/2) #wss366

Coral glanced uneasily from side to side.
"Hey," Jimmy said. "You ain't gonna #rabbit on me, are ya? C'mon!"
He grabbed her arm and steered her into the men's room. It was packed with inebriated men. She felt her face turn bright red as men stared at her. (1/2) #wss366

I often joke that Tanuki-chan finds storm drains of "grate" interest, but today she reacted to something: her hackles came up and she backed away. When I looked, I only saw a little flicker of movement. Whatever it was had backed into a little pipe. I assumed it was a rat — we know there are rats downtown. A few minutes later, I came back out and looked again and saw what it was: a big ass raccoon!

People rightly blame Donald Trump for destroying the world order that had tremendously benefited the United States, but the seeds were sown much earlier. https://stevendbrewer.com/when-the-united-states-actually-jumped-the-shark/ #uspol

"What's a cutie like you doing here?" the man said.
Coral shrank back against the wall. "I… I'm here to find…"
"I'm sure you are!" he leered, leaning over her.
She closed her eyes. A piercing scream caused her eyes to spring open.
The man was lying on the floor curled in a fetal position and standing over her was...
"Jimmy!" she cried with relief.
"What's up, #kid?" he said. He took a drink of his cocktail. "That guy was blockin' the path to john and I gotta go something fierce." #wss366

Note: I had seen this article: https://writerbeware.blog/2026/03/27/watch-out-for-this-scam-impersonating-editors-at-major-publishing-houses/ before I got the email. h/t @victoriastrauss

#WritersCoffeeClub Have you studied writing?

I majored in Biology and Spanish for my undergraduate degree, and have a Masters in Earth Science and a PhD in Science Education. I certainly did a lot of writing, but I don't think I ever took a course in "writing" beyond high school. This is particularly ironic because I've taught scientific writing for a quarter century. I regret not having a better grounding in literature. But when you're studying science, there isn't much room for anything else.

Whoa! She also used the contact form on my website! And she didn't check the "I am a robot" field. She must be a human being!

Let me introduce @Geojoek and @Aplonis who I believe share an interest in ham radio.

Ooh! I got an enthusiastic email from Megan Wenerstrom, an Associate Editor at Penguin Random House, who used her PERSONAL gmail account "meganwenerstrom5" to express interest in my book *A Familiar Problem*. She writes real good too — almost as good as an AI!