Writing About Wrongs
Originally published at Ron Earl Phillips | Writer. Please leave any comments there.
If ever there was a perfect slogan, short phrase that told you everything you needed to know in a soundbite, it would be Thuglit’s “Writing About Wrongs.”
The other day in my interview with Joe Clifford I mentioned I was remiss about not stumbling onto this community crime sooner. I missed the first round/generation of Thuglit who published the likes of Frank Bill (Crimes in Southern Indiana) and Hilary Davidson (The Damage Done) within its pages. I could list names upon names of the talented writers that have graced its pages, established and rising stars. Alas there is only so much time, so I recommend you go out and discover them on your own.
When I was coming onto the scene Thuglit was just about to an end, and then the world went a little (a lot) sideways for me. So I missed the last hoorah. But you know what, just like in comic books, death isn’t the final chapter. Big Daddy Thug, Todd Robinson (Hard Bounce) resurrected Thuglit in a new format fit for the Kindle and a POD print companion.
Because dimes have been hard to put together of late, I opted for the Kindle version. Even money hard, I would happy to scrounge around two bucks for a digital copy of Thuglit, at 99 cents it’s a steal. Either way, worth every penny.
The first issue brought in some ringers; Hilary Davidson, Matthew C. Funk, Jordan Harper, Jason Duke, Johnny Shaw, along with Terrence P. McCauley, Mike Wilkerson and Court Merrigan. Then topped it off with a preview of Hard Bounce, Robinson’s new novel being released from my favorite crime imprint, Tyrus Books.
8 stories and preview.
Second issue followed the same format, 8+1. It was a smash, with stories from Shotgun Honey contributors Nik Korpon, Jen Conley and Katherine Tomlinson. Mike MacLean was the only other name I was familiar with. It introduced me to the fine words of Marc Fitch, Justin Porter, Patrick Lambe and Buster Willoughby. I don’t know if these are new voices, or ones I have yet to discover. I find I discover new voices all the time due to fantastic outlets like Thuglit, Needle and Plots with Guns. Not to mention the flashzines that have become my daily diet.
This issue was no different, like a Siren calling a chorus of crime.
I really do hate to pick favorites in this last issue, between 8 so varied stories, but Tomlinson’s “Participatory Democracy” about a woman on an economic down slide really hit on all cylinders for me. Perhaps it was the political heat of the day? “Just Like Maria” burned really bright as well, and I need to talk MacLean into contributing to some version of Shotgun Honey in the future. Porter’s “The Carriage Thieves” was a funny turn.
I’m glad that Thuglit is back and the brass knuckles are packing the punch once again. Look forward to issue 3 in January. I expect to see a lot of writers bring the boom in the months to come.