The Little Big Crimes blog gave “Seat 9B” a great review. You can check out their review here and get your own copy of the latest issues of Mystery Weekly Magazine, where “Seat 9B” appears, here.
When the right decision is the hard one
I had two stories scheduled to be published this month from the same publisher. I really liked them both and was excited for the rest of the world to read them. Two days ago, the publisher said shockingly racist things on the Internet. The books were initially going to be pulled from publication, then yesterday it was announced they would be held for six months. Last night I requested the stories be pulled from publication.
It would have been easy to say that what the publisher said wasn’t my fault, and neither I nor the other writers should be punished for something we had no control over. I could have left my stories there for quiet publication, accepting the credits but not promoting them. But I couldn’t be someone who says Black Lives Matter in one breath and then give my approval of racism through my silence in the next. Losing two story credits pales in comparison to the implicit and explicit pain that racism has caused and will continue to cause people of color across America.
Some say that people should be forgiven and allowed to learn from their mistakes. I completely agree. At the same time, I’m not the one whose race was denigrated. It’s not up to me to decide in this case if penitence is sincere and forgiveness has been earned. I genuinely hope this person does regret their actions and continues to better themselves and relationships between themselves and non-white people, but it’s not my place to decide if they have.
I don’t intend for this to be a moment of self-righteousness or to put a spotlight on my wokeness. All it is, is an explanation about a decision I made this week and why stories I have championed no longer have homes. I hope they do soon. But if they do not, I still know this was the only decision I could make.
Be well.
Seat 9B is available now
Imagine you’re a crime reporter hunting a serial killer. Imagine you’re in the window seat on a plane. Imagine the serial killer is in the middle seat. Imagine the killer has figured out you know who he is.
“Seat 9B.” Available today in the latest issue of Mystery Weekly Magazine.
Free sci-fi from scummy people
Planet Scumm, the magazine that published my story “Good Boy,” is offering free ebooks of some of their back issues. If you want you can pay for them, but if money is tight they are available at no cost. Check one of them out today and enjoy some great science fiction from some fantastic up-and-coming authors.
And you’ll never work a day in your life.
This photo of Laurel and Hardy is one of my favorites. Two best friends at the prime of their careers, creating comedy that would last decades after their deaths. I hope I always enjoy writing as much as they did making movies.
What’s in a name
The Shareholder-Approved Plan to Replace Generational Ships and the Justification Thereof.
The Annie Scam.
Pandemic: A Love Story.
One of these stories I’ve already written. One I have a very rough outline for. One is just a title and a vague idea.
Even if you can’t go outside, sometimes you can still come up with ideas.
Bon Vivant. Thinkfluencer. Raconteur.
Hello, everyone. My name is Luke Foster. I am a writer of both fact and fiction. The one thing I wasn’t working on was my own web site, so tonight I finally got down to it and put this one together. Check back regularly for news, new stories, and whatever else comes to mind.