Black Candies, Halloween Lit Zine

Stores by Ryan Bradford, Michael Gillham, Natanya Ann Pulley, and Jay Wertzler. Art by Julia Gualtieri and Zandria Ann Sturgill. Want a copy? All you have to do is ask. Send me an email: avclub.bradford@gmail.com

"Write about a pet with a job."

Seriously, this is good advice. Nothing I can do to make this better. Make sure it hates Mondays and working with "ruff" clients.

"Change a 'no' to 'yes' and see what happens."

Three things can happen: you get the girl, you get the job, you get fries with that.

"What if you finally did what you always wanted to do?"

And it wasn't illegal in nearly every state except parts of the south.

Zing!

"Write about a painful loyalty"

Because someone needs to pay for the forced separation of you and your deformed, twin brother. You think he likes to spend all day in that basket?

"Write about the painting beneath the painting."

I think those are called Magic Eyes.

"Write about a meeting that goes on so long it becomes something other than a meeting."

And at what point it becomes "Clothes Optional".

"Are all your characters reasonably attractive?"

Or are they, like, uggos?

"Write about the first time you conversed with a stranger."

In hindsight, it doesn't seem so romantic from the bottom of that pit, does it?

"Write about a confinement: physical or mental, welcome or unwelcome, imaginary or real."

Animal or plant, liquid or viscous, cage or handcuffs.

"Write about what got left behind on accident."

And what it grew up to be and how big its teeth got.