Welcome to my new Substack, which replaces the old TinyLetter Email Newsletter. I hope you enjoy this new format. Remember, you can also view this newsletter in your browser at https://josephmatheny.substack.com/p/
A Very Merry UnBirthday to Me
If you know me at all, you know that I either ignore my birthdays entirely or I throw a crazy large party with 200 + people, bands, booze, drugs —et al. Lately, it's been the former as I enter my twilight years, with the days of my emulating Hunter S. Thompson behind me.
On December 24th of this year, I will turn the big Six-Oh, so, I wanted to do something special.
I've decided to take a cue from Rob Brezsny, who likes to "Reverse Panhandle.” In that same spirit, I've decided to give out presents in recognition of my entry into the ranks of sexagenarianism. (Is that a word?)
I will be giving away 10 copies of Xen: The Zen of the Other, the audio drama, either from Audible or Bandcamp, your choice (but only one per winner). All you have to do is be one of the first 10 to answer the following question:
In part one of The Liminal Cycle trilogy, the novella/movie treatment Liminal, by Cameron Whiteside, Cameron's friend, Spencer tells Cameron there is only one way out. What is that way?
Email the answer to: contest@wldcrd.info
With the subject line: Xen Audio Contest
In the email body: Answer the question and indicate your preference for Audible or Bandcamp format.
I will respond to the winners when I return from the holiday on the week of January 3rd.
If you aren’t familiar with Xen or the trilogy it is a part of, there’s a write-up here that covers it nicely without spoilers.
From the deep archives


Found in the wild: A print redux of an old BBS era post of mine. I don't recall when this was but from the resource I'm citing, I'd say somewhere between 91 and 94.
Happy Solstice, Yule. et al
I hope you all have a pleasant holiday; whichever way you choose to celebrate it (or not).
See you on this new list in 2022, which is shaping up to be a year of many new, exciting projects.