Cracked lines. Shattered glass. Light distorted through water, waves bent and twisted so my eyes do not understand. Grating like shearing metal and screeching tires. Fingernails across steel. And the sterile, gaunt scent of alcohol and latex. I focus on sensations rather than sight. A hand grips my own, so hard I can feel bone…
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Half-Marathon; Or, How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love My Body
I’ve never told anyone these things. My parents, my sister, my friends – no one. So heads up. You’re the first to know. For the last few years, I have grown, slowly but steadily, to despise the way my body looks. When I was a kid, I was always told how skinny I was. I…
Read MoreWriting and Running: On Triumph And Sacrifice
Writing a book is like running a marathon. You start out feeling great. You’re flying. You’re not tired yet (not even a little bit!) and you fucking love what you’re doing. That’s the first few miles, the first few chapters, dominated by euphoria, the thrill of your story, the thrill of activity. Then you get…
Read MoreZERO ECHO SHADOW PRIME LAUNCH DAY
All right, y’all. It’s here. Peter Samet’s debut novel ZERO ECHO SHADOW PRIME, the story of one girl, four ways. I’m not shitting you when I say you need to go get your copy right. the. fuck. now. or else I might personally come hunt you down. That’s not a threat. It’s a promise.* And…
Read MoreAuthor Interview: Alison Morton
Please welcome to The Z-Axis Alison Morton, independent author of Roman-themed alternate history thrillers with strong heroines. She holds a bachelor’s degree in French, German and Economics, a masters’ in history and lives in France with her husband. Her debut novel, INCEPTIO, was shortlisted for the 2013 International Rubery Book Award and awarded a B.R.A.G. Medallion. The next in series, PERFIDITAS,…
Read MorePorous, Chapter Thirteen: Double Vision
This is the second part in the two-part section finale to POROUS. If you haven’t read the previous chapter, please click here to do so. The world spins around me like a golden pinwheel, sepia-toned now through the haze of alcohol. The sounds seem to have disappeared, faded into background noise, dim crackling static that only…
Read MoreLiebster Award Post And Nominations
Last week, I was nominated for a Liebster Award by fellow writer Hiba Tahir, who is a constant source of inspiration to me. As a high school student with all the baggage and time constraints that comes with that place in life, I’m always amazed that Hiba finds time to read, write, and blog with…
Read MorePorous, Chapter Ten: The Corners Of My Mind
Warning: This chapter contains a scene of attempted self-harm and could be triggering for some. Please read with caution. Friday. First period. Algebra. This is the only class I share with both Kalifa and Claire, and the two of them doodle back and forth, drawing Martians on a shared piece of notebook paper, while I…
Read MoreWrite, Publish, Repeat?
We live in an age of newness. Everything must constantly be new. We must supply our readers with new books, new blog posts, new articles, and new tweets, every moment of every day, or we become irrelevant. We must reinvent ourselves daily in order to hold attention. We must bring new subjects to new people…
Read MoreFive Things I Learned About Art From Seeing Shearwater Live
This past weekend in San Francisco, I went to see my favorite band, Shearwater, perform live at Bottom Of The Hill. I was worried I’d be disappointed; that somehow their live performance wouldn’t live up to the music I’d grown to love on their albums. I’ve been disappointed by bands I’d been in love with…
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