Death to the Rats! Plus, our printed future…
Death to the Rats! Plus, our printed future…
And, a special free edition of Secrets of Amal!
Dear Readers,
I’ve been thinking a lot about rattus novegicus lately. But before I get to our furry, plague-vectoring, garbage-eating friends, I want to share a few updates on our plans and progress.
Last week, in addition to publishing a banger of a story (so to speak), we launched our official online store. We’ve got shirts, a hoodie, and even a new coffee mug I’m particularly fond of. If you haven’t checked it out yet, please do so!
This is one of a range of new features we’re rolling out over the next few months.
Between now and the New Year (huzzah!), we will be experimenting with our publication tempo and days. Please let us know when you typically do your reading to help us optimize this.
We are also developing something I am very excited about: a quarterly print magazine. We’re targeting Spring 2023 to launch a test issue.
While our digital platform has allowed us to launch quickly and experiment, we have always believed that print is special and that for fiction and art — in particular — it is the ideal medium. It’s cool, it’s tangible, and you can dog-ear your pages. Print isn’t a thing of the past. As far as we’re concerned, print is the future!
We will continue to publish digitally as we have been (including after the launch of the print magazine), but know that your financial and social support right now is key to helping us launch the physical edition. Right now is a great time to support us, since our Cyber Tuesday sale ends TODAY!
Print is cool, it’s tangible, and you can dog-ear your pages. Print isn’t a thing of the past. As far as we’re concerned, print is the future!
There are plenty more exciting stories on the horizon. We will also continue publishing Secrets, our short-form tales from the Distant Reaches. Typically, these have been a premium feature only available to paying subscribers. However, this week, we’re trying something new with the most recent edition, written by yours truly: It’s free to everyone!
So without further ado, head on over to the website (or scroll to the end of this email) and read “The Rat War!” I’m sure the New Yorkers in our midst will be struck with a familiar feeling, a sort of deja vu.
Incidentally, if you are in need of a job right now, the Big Apple is hiring a Rat Czar, a situation that has nothing to do with the fact that Mayor Eric Adams has an unpaid summons for his very own, extra special rat infestation. No joke.
Three cheers and death to the rats!
— Benjamin Reeves
Our Cyber Tuesday sale is almost over! You only have until tonight to take 50% off monthly and annual subscriptions. Don’t miss out — support the writers, artists, and team that take you to the Distant Reaches every week!
“The Rat War”
By Benjamin Reeves
Day 33
The war has reached a fever pitch. Rats coming up from sewers. Surging into basements. Reports from Pauper’s Notch of an infant devoured in its crib by the vermin. Nothing but bones and swaddling remained. Rumors swirl among the ranks of the ratcatchers. They say the rodents are moving in swarms or battalions. As if under orders from some kind of malign field marshal. Preposterous. Found a rat outside my door this morning. Crushed it with my boot heel. Cheeky bastards.
Day 34
Orders remain the same from the Lord Mayor. Eradicate the rats. What does he think we’ve been trying to do? But with every head we lop or nest we poison, ten more appear, writhing with naked tales and beady eyes. It’s unnatural. The skittering of their feet fills my dreams.
Day 35
Went to investigate along the quays. Reports indicated the ugly critters were rampant in the grain warehouses. Rampant did not even begin to describe it…
