As war is with us, life presents many possibilities for change. I know not where we go, or where we have been. It is all perception, it is all our own realities. Life goes on-with the help of others. We must remember that friendship is the key to peace and tranquility.
Enough heavy philosophy. Let's get on with the reviews that Sign of the Times - A Chronicle of Decadence in the Atomic Age ...
FROM SCAVENGER'S NEWSLETTER (#81, NOV. 1990)
High decadence by Ben Satterfield, Helen Fogarassy, Gary Weiner, Brian Lynch and Larry Oberc. In Spring '91 publishing a 10 year anthology of the best stories from S.O.T.T.'s last decade. The issue will be mailed at no charge to all current subscriber's (a $9.95 value).
FROM FACT SHEET FIVE (#35)
(Vol. 4, #3) Still lots of goodies in this meticulously-produced litmag; Lawrence Oberc art and computer graphic heads give it a slick look. In the word portion, Joan Cacciatore Mazza's "Fantasy Girl" is a disturbing tale of a complex life, while Ron C. presents "Another Sisyphean Masterpiece", a deranged tale of punk sex. There's lots more here too, enjoyable as always.
FROM FACT SHEET FIVE (#39)
(Vol 4, #4) A fine issue of one of the best litmags around. This issue wanders around the sexual arena, touching down at a party for lesbians, a strange introduction between two men, brotherly love in the form of sperm donations, and Calla May Winslow walking naked down Main Street. Great stories, plausible enough to be true, strange enough to make you think twice.
AND NOW FOR SOME LETTERS ...
Thank you for your kind letter and generous inclusion of a copy of Sign of the Times. I am enjoying the good read. Live well.
Best,
Jacie Ragan
Received Four-Four today. I think it is one of S.O.T.T. best. I especially like "The Naked Facts," and got a bang out of "Six Inches Up."
I also got a bang out of your "Reminder" insert. I think I can afford a ten buck donation anyway ... so I'll make the check out for $25.00. I would be glad to sponsor a local library for your anthology issue but not here in the ultra conservative Orange County. The place sucks and in the not too distant future, I hope, I will be moving back to the Bay Area.
Best Regards,
Just finished reading from cover to cover last night. "The Naked Facts" was a tremendous story, and if there are any more tales from Rockbottom, print them! The style reminded me of Garrison Keeler, who is also a favorite of mine, because of the author's story telling ability. More, more, more.
The next story, "The Contract" was interesting also (had a good laugh from the embedded artwork). The last sentence made the story, confirms all my thoughts on the Hollywood zone of the world. I guess I am not really in to erotica, but I like a good story.
I was not too excited by "Women Without Men Temporarily," and have to admit that I did not even finish the story. Just hit me as not very well done, but I will try to finish it sometime. Sorry I can't be more specific.
The "Six Inches Up" story has many close relatives that I have read in the past, but is a good telling. All though the story I kept thinking that this should be part of a larger story, and from reading the end notes I was apparently correct. Hopefully you will keep readers up to date as to when this complete work comes out. Are you going to have any more excepts from it?
The next story, "You Can't Go Home Again," hit me as sort of strange. Not bad, just different. "He was the best friend I ever had. Slept continually the entire time we were together." I will remember that line for a while.
In "A Child of Mind" I kept trying to compare what would happen in the family I grew up in if the same situations presented themselves. I didn't like what I came up with. I am sure I missed the whole point of the story in focusing on other things.
George
Here's a contribution (late!). Don't worry 'bout the friend thing, just keep sending me issues.
Sincerely,
Thanks for the current issue of S.O.T.T., received yesterday in the mail (how else?). Thanks, too for the Fish Wrap.
I like the entire issue of S.O.T.T., which I ravenously devoured, figuratively speaking. I particularly like the lead story, "The Naked Facts," by Ben Satterfield. A cross between a shaggy dog story and a moralistic tale, it was compelling reading. I admired Satterfield's portrayal of the darker side of small-town life ("window on a world of irritants") and his folksy style, as well as the manner in which he brings the story full circle by saying that one still cannot purchase a copy of Playboy in Rockbottom. All in all, a masterful tale.
I like artist Debra Ostrokolwicz's philosophy as expressed in her bio - to elicit any response but no response. This is more or less what I strive for in my writing.
Thanks for not using N.E.A. funds.
I hope that you look back on the summer past with fondness and good memories. I made a trip to Manhattan in late June/early July, my first to New York City. Now, there's a decadent place for you. The sort of decadence which compels odd people to stand on the corner of Eighth Avenue and Forty-Eighth Street at three o'clock in the morning and shout gibberish and obscenities.
Even in decadence there is variety.
Spread peace,
so i was in seattle on the night of all the snow and tried to call you but i figures you were getting drunk in some motel lounge on the other side of town where i was supposed to be ... were you? i hate the snow i hate the cold i wish to be on the equator with my man with a stiff dick laying next to me in the hammock and some fresh fruit juices also and perhaps some dookie also ... i love you mark ... i do ... wishing you a happy hoppy new year with many young beautiful cocks wherever you want them.
Thanx for the copy of Sign of the Times, a real fine magazine (despite the non-use of poetry)! But, I agree, there are plenty of outlets/inlets for poetry - few for stories. Most poetry sucks anyway.
Saw you in Fact Sheet Five - the paper guru of Alternative Press! Was over to Gunderloy's house (editor of FSF) recently - a REAL person.
Your zine is FINE,
Paul Weinman
I've read what you have published - and it is darn good. I feel honored. I know how tough it is to get publications out on time. In law school I was Editor-in-Chief of my law review, and later I was Editor-in-Chief of a legal publishing firm in San Francisco. I don't know if I ever got anything out on time.
Sincerely,
Thank you for your recent submission to us here at the Sisterhood of Immaculate Virginity Publishing House. You requested inclusion of your very novel piece of work in our forthcoming anthology of classical rejection slips.
Unfortunately Mr. Souder, either you did not read the writers guidelines we sent you earlier or did not read far enough or can't read. Any of the above have disqualified your manuscript.
As our guidelines state quite plainly in the closing paragraphs, "We are looking for classical reject slips." The sisters and I spend countless hours pouring though musty volumes and ancient parchments for those rejections which were received by persons such as St. Mark, Ezeccial and Levitcus, St. John and Habakkuk.
Sister Mary Ordinarius found a spectacular one that was sent to St. Timothy; "Your contribution is a little erotic to be included in the bible we are assembling, particularly that little bit about Jesus and Judas in the outhouse," it said.
So as you see, we are regretfully returning your manuscript with our readers comments.
Sr. Mary Labia had this to say, "What does puking mean?" Sr. M. Teresa Van Dyke; "I thought a sott was a drunk." Sr. Rose Ann Thornbird; "I couldn't get past the sixth word not knowing was a lag was." Sr. Constance Impatiens just giggled.
However, Mr. Souder, I will say that little booklet which unaccountable accompanied your submission was quite titillating. We'd all like to see more of that!
Yours in crayon and Jesus,
Sr. Ignatius Regina
Mother Superior
Okay ... the footnotes collection was turned down by that one press where I had an in. So, like ... HELP!
Any ideas? Know of any presses out there who do book and are just dying to publish a collection of short pieces ranging from pithy to potty? Someone with your sense of humor (and obvious good taste) wouldn't go amiss.
Come on, Mark, suggest someone. Then I can brag about how another of your "stable" proved your uncanny literary judgment.
Yours,
Many greeting from the gulag and thanks for the letter and thanks for S.O.T.T.
I get a lot of 'zines and generally skim through them as I'm kind of picky on the fiction that I read, but I actually read all of the "S.O.T.T.s" cover to cover and really like 'em. I have a weakness for decadence anyway, so may that explains it.
In struggle,
Paul Wright
MANY THANKS ...
Many thanks go out to the "extended staff" of Sign of the Times - A Chronicle of Decadence in the Atomic Age. Without the help in reading "maybe" stories, drinking my wine, and generally egging me on, there would likely be no magazine.
For News and Notes from other issues, click here.
Someday there will be a link the Mark Stephen Souder ego page.
For a copy of the issue that this story appeared in please use the on-line order form or email sott_backissue@unclemarkie.com
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