Within Shadowed Clutches & Big Shoes [REDUX]
Two shorts originally found here, now published in The Ana literary magazine!
Hey everyone! I’m back again with a post, this time talking about two of my short stories, that are now Featured in Issue #11 of The Ana! I’m honored and ecstatic to be featured in this magazine, they are quarterly arts magazine who curate and celebrate humanity. What brought me to them was their visual aesthetic of their previous magazines, but upon reading their material I was astounded to see that they are a great platform for POC writers, LGTBQ+ folk, and are just a really diverse masthead who really want to see a diverse range of genres from underrepresented writers. I felt welcomed and immediately wanted to be a part of their magazine. S I’m happy to show off my two works which they picked up! Check out their previous issues, but most importantly check out issue #11 for mine ;)
OK first story!
Within Shadowed Clutches is a horror short!
What’s it about?
It’s a short story about a writer dealing with the difficulties of writing and their ego, and how sometimes that’s our own worst enemy. Leading to nightmarish consequences and a haunting I feel most creative folks will be familiar with.
REAL “original“
Hey! It’s meta! And it has some dark fantastical elements in there and horror imagery that I think any fan of speculative fiction would absolutely love and enjoy! It’s creepy and deals with a lot more than just horror, it’s psychological (another word for me to say I’m smart). I don’t want to get too much into it and spoil it, so check it out! It's on page 18 of the magazine, but don’t forget to read the other awesome work in their by other great writers and artists!
The 2nd story!
Remember my old post from Feb 2022? Well if you don’t don’t worry, because this short story is now featured in The Ana - Issue #11!
I originally wrote this one page memoir based off my own memories and experiences. I wanted it to be concise but full of emotional resonance to convey the mood of the 2000’s. There was a lot of uncertainty during that time, and looking back it feels like every family had some financial issue. I was young but could remember how my stressful my household was during this period.
Not sure if this was with everyone else or mainly children of immigrants, but the Thrift Store is sanctuary. It is where our parents had to find clothes and other knick-knacks just to make this country a home. As a child who spent a lot of time in those beautiful shops, full of character, warmth, and dust, I have grown a soft spot for them and the clientele that shops there. I still shop there (best place for flannels IMO) until my allergies flare up and I have to step outside. So this is a love letter to those stores as well as my mother. Thank you for showing me humility.
The hard part of writing such a short piece is the balancing act that comes with it. Whereas in a novel you can describe every detail and explore every scene to the fullest, here I wanted to challenge myself with economy of words. It also makes for a short and fun read. Check it out in The Ana - Issue #11!
But wait, there’s more! “Big Shoes” is soooo good (not me tooting my horn again) that it will also be featured in issue 5 of Rabble Review, which should be released next month! Rabble review is an:
“Unapologetically leftist in politics, we recognize the complete abolition of capitalism, coerced labor, and the State as absolute pre-conditions for human and artistic liberation. We want to capture the working class in its full spectrum, that is, we’re committed to solidarity among workers of all races, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and their intersections. By spreading accessible leftist thought, encouraging direct action, and providing a space for revolutionary aesthetics to develop we hope to do our part in the radicalization and ultimate liberation of the working class.” (From their home page)
I’m totally into that! ^^
I will update you folks on that later! I’m happy it found not just one home, but two, so more people can read it! And I hope you read both stories, twice, and like it double!
That’s all for now, thanks again everyone who reads my Substack and works! Please subscribe and if you got a few dollars to spend, I’d really appreciate you supporting my art and cause by becoming a paid subscriber!
-Daniel Gonzalez