Archive for December 2023
The rabbit pellet in the caviar bowl
by David Benjamin MADISON Wis.—I’ve decided to end the year cathartically with a rant against one of my career-long nemeses, the literary agent racket. I recently remembered an exchange with an agent named Alice, whose name I won’t mention because these people are vindictive. Before sending Alice my query, I had researched her thoroughly. I……
Read MoreHow George the Cat Wrecked Christmas
by David Benjamin George was accident prone. For example, the first time he met Jody’s mother, he boldly leapt into her lap. She was drinking tea at the time, but she only spilled a few drops because George, despite his tendency toward minor, forgivable mishaps, had a knack for soft landings. Jody’s Mom, who…
Read MoreSatire revisited
A return to the topic of satire, this time to offer a few tips to the aspiring satirist and a little homage to two of the discipline’s most extraordinary practitioners. by David Benjamin PARIS— In my last essay here, I discussed the challenge and the spirit of writing satire. Since then, I’ve pondered the……
Read MoreThe pain and purgation of Paris guilt
by David Benjamin “… Even the pigeons are dancing, kissing, going in circles, mounting each other. Paris is the city of love, even for the birds …” ― Samantha Schutz PARIS — We were barely awake yesterday before we were plunging through Métro tunnels, beneath the Seine, resurfacing at the place de la…
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