This week, I pass the microphone to Stephanie Spaulding, who guest hosts “Safe in the Black Sand,” by author Danny Stone. (Actually, I wind up taking the mic back because Danny’s story and the conversation it sparked were impossible to resist). In Danny’s lyrical and haunting novella, protagonist Jax’s transgender sister Angelica is the victim of a brutal hate crime. To save Angelica, Jax must descend into the chaotic miasma of his father’s hallucinatory brain, to a place where profound, necessary, and all but forgotten truths are buried. "To forget is not to delete". Trust me: you will not want to miss this story.

Next week, It’s Shoulda Swiped Left, with Hannah and Jake touching base on dating developments. The week after that, it’s another episode of Mightier Than the Sword, where Steph and I offer tips and insights to writers. Stories for Shoulda Swiped Left and questions for Mightier Than the Sword go to [email protected]. Be sure to put the intended podcast in the subject line. We want to hear from you!

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