Twenty Three Now
In the year 1995, the rapper Coolio released the classic Gangsta’s Paradise, in which he posed the question, “I’m twenty three now but will I live to see twenty four?” I guess if you’re reading this, you can answer Coolio’s question with a resounding, “Yes!”
As writers are wont to do at year-end and year-beginning, I’ve assembled a list of pieces I’ve published in the previous twelve months. Many of you arrived here sometime in 2023 and have continued to stick around, so I believe it’s safe to assume you’re enjoying what you find. In the grand experiment of writers finding an audience (like thistleseeds finding arable soil) most of my work was published here, aside from a few pieces with my steady friends at Front Porch Republic, Texas Poetry Assignment, and Reformed Journal. I’ve enjoyed writing here. The feedback and interactions you all provide is either a balm to the lonesome writer or a fix for the junkie of my ego.
Plans for 2024
For 2024, I’ve promised my wife and several friends that I would set aside all other writing projects and finally finish a long gestating novel. I’m not sure what that means for In Solitude, For Company in the next twelve months. I’ve often tinkered with the idea of writing a serialized novel in the way that Charles Dickens published many of his novels. Or if you grew up in my era, the way that TV shows released one episode per week. It’s one way to do things, and Substack definitely makes that possible. I don’t even know if there’s a right way to publish anymore. Maybe I’ll begin sending out chapters of the novel as I write them. I’m attaching a couple of polls below to gauge interest. Feel free to leave comments or send me an email if you’d like to discuss this in more detail than the polls allow.
2023 Publications
Below is the compilation of last year’s writing. I hope you enjoy or enjoy again! Peace to you and yours in the new year.
Poetry
Non-Fiction
2023 Substack Collection
Thanks for the company!
I like the idea of a serialized novel, as long as the whole form is available at some point on paper. It's certainly not an un-natural way to encounter a story. You said in here that reading stories is a way to love God. Thank you for enlarging our capacity to love. It is hard to keep up, because I am slow, but I am sure grateful for how you write, Seth. I am doing my best to pay attention. You have had a productive year, including all of your other significant non-literary accomplishments and moves. I'm mighty proud of you.
Man, I’ve been toying with the same idea (serialized on substack) with a piece I’ve been (not) working on for about 20 years. Looking forward to seeing what direction you go!