Charles R. Rutledge

Respectfully submitted for your approval...

Me, referencing 'Off the Ancient Track' on an impromptu Lovecraft walk in Providence.

I grew up in a small town in the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains. As a reader, a writer, and an artist, my entire early life was a struggle against provincialism and often willful ignorance. It's improved, but I don't go there unless I have to.

Oh golly yes. When I write crime fiction, especially, there are sentence fragments everywhere.

I haven't actually seen it yet. Just saw the photo and several captions jumped into my head.

What that actually means is I didn't add enough atmosphere on the first pass and need to fix it.

I laughed when I saw what I'd scribbled at the bottom of some story notes. Always remember to Gothic and Horror it up.

I drew this several years back at the suggestion of Gothic suspense author Amanda DeWees.

1271 words this morning, which brings me to 3875 so far on new story. New genre. New characters. Sticking with @briankeene.bsky.social 's advice to 'not just keep writing the same thing'

"Get in, loser. We're going book shopping."

I'll stop now.

"These aren't the droids you're looking for. We can go about our business."

We're on a mission from God.

February 14th, 1931 saw the release of Dracula, starring Bela Lugosi. That was some Valentine's Day!

Yeah, I read Gothic novels from the 18th century and I read Conan of the Isles by de camp/Carter. I get different things from each, but love both.

A really great issue. Wonderful story and a great call back to the original.

They so often are.

Everyone approaches it differently. Whatever gets you there. I wrote a lot and sent it off. I've been very fortunate that people have liked it and bought it, and I don't lose sight of that.

Truthfully I never 'got' the idea behind writer's groups. You write the stuff and send it. Editors buy it or they don't.

Christopher Golden is always worth reading, so I am not surprised.

Cover art for the novel Carry Me to My Grave by Christopher Golden.

Psyched to have been approved for an e-ARC of the forthcoming book, Carry Me to My Grave by @cgolden.bsky.social

You aren’t going to want to miss this one! 🖤 Pub date 7/21/26.

Monsters!

Morning, sir.

Thanks!

Me too.

It's a complicated friendship.

Totally get you. It's not always our most expensive or rare books that are our favorites.

Keanu grieves

Art by The King, Jack Kirby.