Category Archives: Sample Essays

Some examples of essays written for APA zines. Yes, I’m that old.

Aprés Livre, Le Deluge

Prestige markets for fiction can get away with having a computer program for an editor that filters for recognized names only. They’ll even win awards and accolades for doing this. Lesser paying, lower profile fiction markets are forced to be … Continue reading

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Sociopath Class Rising

There is a sociopath class arising due to corporate mentality and, perhaps, a long series of biochemical brain damage. The abuse that passes as ordinary life stateside is also a factor. How can so few see this? Certainly there must … Continue reading

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Try Not To Think of Elephants

I dare you to read this list and not think of Republicans, Teabaggers, Religionists, and Corporatists. Glibness Superficial Charm A Grandiose Sense of Self Worth Pathological Lying Cunning Manipulation Lack of Remorse Lack of Guilt Shallow Affect Lack of Empathy … Continue reading

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Without Them We Are Lost

Say you’re hired when most are not. Say you’re eager to stay employed. Say further you’re allowed, even expected to make decisions as long as they meet a single standard. What is that litmus test for all you will do … Continue reading

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People Talking About People

“There is no knowledge that is not power.” –Ralph Waldo Emerson, rubber glove-in-a-box manufacturer. # Over 4th of July weekend, which is perversely called Independence Day by the enslaved corporate drones stirred to nationalistic jingoism by the sight of flags … Continue reading

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Literal Metaphor

Try this: Ancient man did not make stuff up as we tend to say he did. Take Hell, for example. It lies underground. It is a place of fire and brimstone. Horrible tortures. Eternal suffering. To the Ancients, Hell or … Continue reading

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Plane Rain

In 1977 I think it was, I was on a plane traveling from Germany stateside. As we approached Newfoundland everyone’s ears popped, and it began raining inside the cabin. Attendants passed out blankets to hold over our heads. The two … Continue reading

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Military Woes

My wife was in the USAF for 22 years. Went from airman to retire as a Major. We witnessed the hollowing out and gradual decline of the military to the dreck it is today. All along, entering the military meant … Continue reading

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Writing Wars Walking Wounded

a friend was angered when I described what vetting was. “And do they reciprocate?” I was asked, and I sat there realizing how incredibly little they reciprocate in any way whatsoever. “Then you’re being manipulated, used, and you’re doing their work for them. Works out great for them, doesn’t it?” Continue reading

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Locating the Wasteland

Sir Arthur C. Clarke once wrote, “Any TV is better than no TV.” He went on to observe that the best of it is as good as anything in any media, on its own terms. Continue reading

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