HIRAETH PUBLISHING’S
MARCH 2025 NEWSLETTER
THIS JUST IN:
Decades ago—it might have been the late 1950’s, a study was conducted that eventually was published under the title “Why Johnny Can’t Read.” If anything, the situation is worse today. We see reports that percentages of students are reading at levels well below their actual grade. There are a number of reasons for this deficiency, and it is not limited to reading, but also to math and other topics. This we know.
What to do?
Solutions depend on parents and teachers, and are related to age. It’s easier to teach a five-year-old to read than an eighteen-year-old. Perhaps the most important sociological factors in the reading deficiency are our technology and the rate at which we go about our lives (i.e., the pace of our everyday lives). Let’s be blunt: Tic-tok is not reading. It is a cursory examination of words which do not remain memorable because there is no real substance to them. E-mails are not reading, for they are filled with acronyms like BRB, GFY, WB, and a hundred others. E-books are often truncated to the point where they become summaries of the stories. Ever read “Wuthering Heights” on e-book? Great. What was Heathcliff’s secret? What was the significance of the garden growing again?
Okay, bad example. Who reads Austen and the Brontes these days? Besides me. I’d wager that one of the reasons they’re not read much is that there are too many words in the novels. Same with Dostoyevsky, Tolstoy, Hugo, Jordan, and too many others. We read for various reasons: excitement, curiosity, relaxation, etc. And who has time for all those words? We want everything NOW. We don’t like having to turn the page to find out what happens next. Still, the truest act of reading is still and always has been: sitting down in a quiet place for an hour or two and turning pages as you finish reading them. That’s reading. All else is “reading at.”
Not long ago I was at KFC ordering some meal or other when a young man walked up to the counter with a coupon. He asked the clerk if it was still good, even though the coupon clearly stated the expiration date. He wanted to use it for one of those three-piece meals, even though it clearly was for a breakfast meal (and it was at the time early in the afternoon). I had a couple extra meal coupons on me, and gave him one. He tried to read it, gave up, and handed to the clerk and said, “One of these, please.” Folks, ya gotta wonder how many times a day this sort of reading takes place in this country.
(Parenthetic anecdote. My sister was teaching a science class and noticed that one of her students was gazing at the wall next to his desk, where hung a periodic chart of the elements. Finally turned to her and said, “I can’t figure out what day it is.”)
Now, does this relate to why too many of our young folks are deficient readers? I dunno. As our technology grows, the operating instructions grow more complex. I read quite well, yet I have trouble with some instructions. What must life be like for someone who reads only marginally well? What if it’s your children? Maybe it’s time to think more seriously about that…n’est-ce pas?
AND NOW, BACK TO OUR REGULAR PROGRAMMING:
THE FIFTH DI… and THE MARTIAN WAVE
The final issue of The Fifth Di… will be released on 14 February 2025, so watch for it. The final issue of The Martian Wave will be released on 2 April 2025, so watch for it.
New guidelines for Shelter of Daylight are posted at: https://www.hiraethsffh.com/shelter-of-daylight
The new submissions address is shelterdaylight@yahoo.com
New guidelines for Cosmic Crime Stories are posted at: https://www.hiraethsffh.com/cosmic-crime-stories-guidelines
The new submissions address is cosmiccrimestories@yahoo.com
JUPITER’S EYE
Jupiter’s Eye is a digest of science fiction and fantasy and (very few) darker short stories, poems, and art. It is published in April, August, and December. In general, there will be three stories, three poems, three illustrations, and one article in each issue, so competition will be intense. Editors are the Hiraeth Staff. We look forward to seeing your work. Guidelines are posted here: www.hiraethsffh.com/jupiter-s-eye-guidelines
ELDER THINGS EXPEDITIONS
Elder Things Expeditions is the seventh in our series of Lovecraftian anthologies. In it, we explore three sections of time in exploration of Antarctica leading to revelations about the nature of the denizens, normal and paranormal, residing there. Reference can be made to funding by Miskatonic University, but be careful how you deal with the names and events that may be protected by copyright. Pay rate for stories is at least semi-pro. Submission close March 31, so get yours in today!
Guidelines, which must be read, are posted here: Elder Things Expeditions | Hiraeth Publishing
DRABBLE CONTEST:
Drabble Harvest #13—Hunting With the Wolves is now closed. The winners are:
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First Place:
"The Leader of the Pack" By Marcelo Medone
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Second Place:
"The Babes Not Meant to Be" By Denise Hatfield
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Honorable Mention: "Hunting Party" By Greg Schwartz
Honorable Mention: "Why I Will Never Be a Sheep to Your Wolf" By Paul Lewthwaite
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Congratulations to them, and thanks to all who participated in the contest. The next contest will begin on 1 April 2025; the theme will be The Witch’s Broom. Get your stories ready but do not submit them until we open the contest.
ICYMI: ANNOUNCING A NEW IMPRINT FROM HIRAETH PUBLISHING
Now Hiraeth Books has an imprint called Into The Light. Books under this imprint will focus on Christianity. Currently, we are open to submissions to a digest called MEDITATIONS. See below. The first novel under Into The Light, “Miracle at the Foundry,” was released in September. It is to be noted that this imprint in no way affects our genre publications under Hiraeth Publishing.
We have opened an e-mail address for Into The Light. It is into the light books @ gmail dot com. You will have to combine it. The editors who work at that address are: Teri Santitoro, Francis W. Alexander, and Tyree Campbell. Just below is the submissions blurb for Meditations.
ICYMI: ANNOUNCING A NEW ANTHOLOGY OPEN TO SUBMISSIONS…
The title of the anthology is MEDITATIONS: a Minimalist Poetry Anthology for Christians. We are looking for haiku and tanka written in the spirit of Christian love and peace. It is imperative that contributors read the guidelines.
Guidelines are posted and may be read here: https://www.hiraethsffh.com/meditations
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DIGITAL STORE REMINDER
We have two digital stores, one for PDFs, the other for ePubs. This is the link to our digital store: https://www.hiraethsffh.com/digital-store Come check out our titles! We add more each month!
COLOR INTERIOR ART
Printing in color can be prohibitively expensive. However, the current issues of Drabble Harvest #11 and the Winter (January) Illumen both feature color interiors. You’re invited to check them out. We expect to continue this process with Drabble Harvest, Illumen, and a few other publications, such as Flash Digest.
SCIFAIKUEST FEBRUARY 2025 ONLINE EDITION
Edited by t.santitoro
This edition is available on our site. It is not the same as the print edition. Come read and enjoy! Here’s the link: https://www.hiraethsffh.com/scifaikuest-online
STORE SALES:
Next up, and at the risk of being somewhat repetitive, because we want our storytellers and poets to be read, and our artists to be seen:
THERE’S A SALE GOING ON!!!
BUY ALL THE BOOKS YOU WANT AND USE THIS 20% DISCOUNT CODE:
BOOKS2025
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THIS DISCOUNT CAN BE USED AS MANY TIMES AS YOU WISH, SO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT!
GO TO OUR SHOP AT WWW.HIRAETHSFFH.COM
NO MASKS, NO WAITING, AND WE NEVER CLOSE!
LASTLY, BOOKS MAKE GOOD HOLIDAY AND BIRTHDAY PRESENTS…
NEW RELEASES: WHAT’S NEW?
PARABNORMAL MAGAZINE MARCH 2025
parABnormal Magazine features stories that focus on the paranormal, including ghosts, spectres, witchcraft, the afterlife, and the occasional bit of dark magic. This issue also include three articles related to paranormal activities. Read this magazine with all the lights on…
Stories
Foretastes of the Grave by Robert J. Krog
Missing You by Sophia Adamowicz
Winds of Acolus by Susan E. Rogers
Them Boogers Will Get Y’all by Ginger Strivelli
Thanks for the Memories by Mike Murphy
The Man with Red Hands by A.K. McCarthy
An Old Fireplace by Jade Jiao
Poems
Fearwood by Freya Pickard
The Visitor by A J Dalton
Tylwyth Teg by Christian Dickinson
The Girl Who Fed On Nightmares by A.A. Alhaji
The Sacred Cats of Burma by Lavinia Kumar
Doppelgängers by Simon MacCulloch
Articles
Treating the Supernatural, the Mysterious, the Occult, and the Weird with the writings of Arthur Machen…by Sonali Roy
The Bizarre Sis-Boom-Bah of Bride of the Gorilla by Denise Noe
Polyvagal theory: a Potentially Unifying Conceptual Framework for Paranormal Experiences by R.D. Hayes
Illustrations
Abandoned by Sonali Roy
Untitled by Naomi Sheely
Ordering Links: Print; PDF; ePub
SECRETS OF THE NETHER MOOR BY ALLISON TEBO
Charlotte Morrison is a shy squire’s daughter who is better suited to stitchery than spells. But when she discovers that her beloved brother is the author behind a series of revolutionary pamphlets decrying their oppressive government, her life changes overnight.
With the people’s hero under arrest, Charlotte cannot depend on the legendary Jack O’Lantern to save her brother—so she takes matters into her own hands by boarding the infamous night coach through the Nether Moor: a place haunted by aberrations and monsters.
But danger lurks within the carriage as well as without. Charlotte is following Major Pegg, the cruel official carrying the papers that will bring about her brother’s arrest. If she ever hopes to save her brother, Charlotte must steal the papers before they reach the Crossroads.
Armed with nothing but a spell bomb and desperation, Charlotte cannot rely on legends. It is up to her to save her brother and be her own kind of hero.
Ordering Links: Print; PDF; ePub
THE CURSE OF THE SCARLET SCARAB BY ANGEL FAVAZZA
The Curse of the Scarlet Scarab follows the story of Ruby Blood, the great-great-granddaughter of Thomas Blood, the infamous thief of the Crowned Jewels. A skilled and daring jewelry thief in her own right, Ruby, along with her loyal accomplice Mollie, embarks on a high-stakes heist in London’s elite jewelry district. However, their plans take an unexpected turn when they become entangled in the dark secrets of an ancient curse and a shadowy organization that will stop at nothing to protect its secrets.
Ordering Links: Print; PDF; ePub
HORNED JACK: DIRE LEGACY BY M. R. WILLIAMSON
Munford is a town with a shapeshifting deputy sheriff named Jack. He’s a Nephilim—a Watcher—who uses his powers to protect the townsfolk. On the surface, he’s quite a nice-looking young man with a family. He has a pit bull named Banjo. But he also has Woo, a little bat-girl who can “see” things he can’t, and an adviser who’s a shaman. And when Jack’s eyes turn red, criminals beware.
Complicating Jack’s life and work this time, however, is a montage of supernatural creatures who show up at opportune times, saving Jack’s life. Although he has Nephilim powers, he needs help to capture the evildoers. There’s Woo, and Zee, and Chee…and there’s even a dragon. And then there’s Bree, who can show up anywhere, as anyone. Who is Bree? More like a what.
Now Jack and his fellow officers are fighting child trafficking, dealing with the Feds, and chasing down a UFO. All in a day’s work for the red-eyed Nephilim.
Ordering Links: Print: PDF: ePub
NEW FROM INTO THE LIGHT BOOKS:
AT THE HOUR OF OUR DEATH EDITED BY TOBY CAMPBELL
This is an anthology of short stories inspired by the last line of the Hail, Mary prayer. In it, we examine various fictitious events at the moment of dying. Some of these stories are exemplary, in that they may inspire contemplation of real events, for all of us will pass on sooner or later. The subject matter includes deathbed conversions, regrets for the life just spent, and joy and anticipation at the very end, to cite three themes. The overarching religious aspect is that of Christianity, and specifically Catholicism. Nevertheless, this is not and was not intended to be a theological or philosophical collection; rather, its purpose is meditative, and perhaps the reader will find something about life and the end of it worth considering.
Into The Light Books is an imprint of Hiraeth Publishing
Ordering Links: Print: PDF: ePub
ICYMI:
SCIFAIKUEST FEBRUARY 2025 (#87)
Scifaikuest is a quarterly digest of minimalist poetry, such as haiku, scifaiku, tanka, cherita, fibonacci, haibun, senryu, gogyoka, saturne, and others. Also included are articles relevant to poetry and to minimalist poetry. In this issue:
Featured Poet: Royal Baysinger
The Richard E. Schell Page
The Geetanjali Lachke Page
The Gary Davis Page
…and much more!!
Cover art by Richard E. Schell
Ordering Links: Print: PDF: ePub
SPACEPORTS & SPIDERSILK FEBRUARY 2025
Spaceports & Spidersilk features science fiction and fantasy for ages 9 to 99. It presents adventures on other planets and in imaginary worlds. Inside these pages you’ll find visitors from other worlds, dragons, magic, and strange friends.
Stories
Valaxian Bakeries Contest for Budding Space Cadets Award by William J. Joel
The Haunted Classroom by William Shaw
The Right Side of the Road by Lydia Volokh
Boots by DJ Tyrer
Space Station Zero-G by James Fitzsimmons
The Field Trip by Ellie Murphy
Thaw by Alex McNall
Poetry
Familiar Moon by Greer Woodward
Tanka by Lauren McBride
The Space Creature Crew by Guy Belleranti
A Dragon’s Allergies by Brian Rosenberger
A Dog’s World by Lisa Timpf
Before Plants by Jamie Manias
Wicked Woods by Leigh Therriault
Illustrations
Dragon Reading Material by Lisa Timpf
Renfield by Michelle St. James
Cover art “Cat Spells” by Barbara Candiotti
Ordering links: Print: PDF: ePub
CRIMSON BLADE BY MIKE ADAMSON
In a world of billions of humans, vampires keep a low profile. Lucinda Crane, changeling, is five centuries old, but her loyalties have always remained with we mortals. Unknown to police, ignored by science, she wages war against her own kind and all the countless occult threats to life in a world that has chosen to believe in nothing...
Ordering Links:
Print: www.hiraethsffh.com/product-page/crimson-blade-by-mike-adamson
PDF: www.hiraethsffh.com/product-page/crimson-blade-by-mike-adamson-1
ePub: www.hiraethsffh.com/product-page/crimson-blade-by-mike-adamson-2
CATS AND DOGS IN SPACE BY LISA TIMPF
Cats in lab coats, running experiments on us. Robot dogs roaming Mars. Space-faring canines who mistake alien vessels for fetch toys. There are just some of the images you’ll find in here. With inspiration from myths, news stories, nursery rhymes, personal experience, and a lifelong interest in science fiction, the poems are written in a variety of styles for your reading enjoyment. Reaching from the distant past to the far future, and points in between, Cats and Dogs in Space invites you to have some fun re-imagining man’s best friend—and whatever it is that cats call themselves.
When we beamed the book to the future, here’s what readers had to say:
“Purrfectly delightful! Enjoyable for readers of any stripe. Some of these poems are enough to make a cat laugh!” Festus, ship’s cat aboard the Silver Starr Spaceliner Frederika.
“Meaty as a prime rib bone, and just as much fun to chew on! I’d give it two thumbs up—if I had opposable thumbs . . . ” Pepper, K-9 Operative, Galactic Space Services
So there you have it! Get your claws on a copy today!
Ordering Links:
Print: www.hiraethsffh.com/product-page/cats-and-dogs-in-space-by-lisa-timpf
PDF: www.hiraethsffh.com/product-page/cats-and-dogs-in-space-by-lisa-timpf-1
ePub: www.hiraethsffh.com/product-page/cats-and-dogs-in-space-by-lisa-timpf-2
THE DRAGON’S BITE and Other Flights of Fancy BY MATIAS F. TRAVIESO-DIAZ
Where can you find Pandora, Medusa, Mozart, Charles Mason, Little Red Riding Hood, Nithoggs, dragons, Billy Bob Morton, brownies, Oxlicker, Prometheus, the Dalai Lama, and Roger? Why, right here in this collection of fantasy and slipstream tales from long ago and tomorrow. There are tales to mystify, classify, spotify, and thrill to, with a cast of characters even George Lucas (who is not in these tales) would find difficult to match. Read them all at once, or one at a time. You’ll have a better grip on reality and even a handle on surreality…and you’ll never want to let go of either.
Ordering Links:
Print: www.hiraethsffh.com/product-page/dragons-bite-other-flights-of-fancy-by-matias-f-travieso-diaz
PDF: www.hiraethsffh.com/product-page/dragons-bite-other-flights-of-fancy-by-matias-f-travieso-diaz-1
ePub: www.hiraethsffh.com/product-page/dragons-bite-other-flights-of-fancy-by-matias-f-travieso-diaz-2
CROTALUS BY TYREE CAMPBELL
This is a $1.99 romantic horror short story available in ePub and PDF.
Summary: It’s the 25th anniversary of Lydia and Phil. She’s thinking diamond; he’s thinking beer and a pizza, followed by some squeaky bedsprings. The war has lasted for a quarter-century of snarking and back-biting. Welcome to the dark side, Lydia.
THE RED FOIL BY T. SANTITORO
When Soefee Sparrow’s roommate and ex-lover, Tayla Block, goes missing aboard a space mining station, Sparrow—a rocket-horse jockey—suddenly finds herself under suspicion of murder. Despite the mining company's main source of income—megatons of industrial minerals and gemstones—no one but Soefee seems to be searching for their leading geologist. Were gemstones being stolen from the mining company? Did it have anything to do with Block’s disappearance? Why was everyone being so tight-lipped? What happened to Tayla Block, and why wasn't anything being done to find her?
Enter Jicob Elfrendini, an undercover agent for IBCP, a division of Law Enforcement employed to ensure against the theft of valuable gems. But Elfrendini has secrets of his own. And then a woman’s dead body is found at the bottom of a mine shaft and, together, Soefee and Jicob must work to find out who killed Tayla Block—and WHY?
Ordering Links
Print: https://www.hiraethsffh.com/product-page/red-foil-by-t-santitoro
PDF: https://www.hiraethsffh.com/product-page/red-foil-by-t-santitoro-1
ePub: https://www.hiraethsffh.com/product-page/red-foil-by-t-santitoro-2
THE FUTURE ADVENTURES OF BAILEY BELVEDERE
By Tyree Campbell
As the societies of Earth collapse into chaos and destruction, Bailey Belvedere, a U.S. Army Intelligence officer fighting for her very survival, steals aboard an alien spacecraft, and soon finds herself given the authority and power by a superior alien entity to intervene in various problems in the Galaxy. Along the way she frees a world from interstellar slave traffickers, deals with an AI who becomes pregnant, inadvertently destroys a waffle house, fights against the abductors of a special child, and generally finds herself in some sort of trouble one moment to the next.
Ordering Links:
Print Edition: https://www.hiraethsffh.com/product-page/further-adventures-of-bailey-belvedere-by-tyree-campbell
PDF Edition: https://www.hiraethsffh.com/product-page/further-adventures-of-bailey-belvedere-by-tyree-campbell-1
Without further ado, then: browse, read, buy, enjoy. If you have any questions or comments, send them to us at hiraethsubs at yahoo dot com. See you in April!
Tyree Campbell
Storyteller and Managing Editor
March 2025