Higher Ed Confidence

Seminaries of the Death Cult

Americans' confidence in institutions of higher learning has hit an all-time low according to a new Gallup poll. Americans’ confidence in higher education has fallen to 36%, sharply lower than in two prior readings in 2015 (57%) and 2018 (48%). In addition to the 17% of U.S. adults who have…
July 13, 20234 Comments
The Tangled Web of Tony Pellicano

The Tangled Web of Tony Pellicano

Hollywood has its own intrigues that rival international espionage, as this writer learned while pulling a thread left in yesterday's comments by author JD Cowan. [Director John] McTiernan’s career is fascinating. Everything he did was fantastic until the 2000s hit and he got entangled with the feds after his producers…
July 12, 20231 Comment
Hunt for Red October

The Hunt for Red October

The defection of a beloved yet eccentric military commander threatens to tip the balance in a tense standoff between Russia and NATO, leaving the world teetering on the edge of nuclear Armageddon. No, that's not the news. It's The Hunt for Red October. Based on Tom Clancy's breakout thriller and…
July 11, 20236 Comments
Word Economy

Economies of Words

In my years of writing and editing experience, I've noticed that new writers tend to let their ideas flow like an untamed river. They get the release of seeing their thoughts realized on the page, but they risk inundating readers with words - some of which are the story while…
July 10, 20235 Comments
Dragon Awards

The Dragons Ride Again

It seems like forever ago that a ragtag bunch of newpub, Baen, and Castalia House authors dominated the first annual Dragon Awards. That day was an early career highlight, and I'm still thankful to my readers and supporters. What would become the current dissident scene was still taking shape back…
July 7, 20233 Comments
Ghostcar

It Was on the Road

It's not standard High Strangeness post procedure, but for this one I'm front loading the video. Watch it to the end. Trust me. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-k2ZEyxA1wc What you just saw was dash cam footage of a high-speed chase recorded by the Garden City PD. Officer Wayne Daniels submitted the tape to Fact or…
July 6, 20233 Comments
Gemini Warrior

Gemini Warrior

Gemini Warrior (Gemini Man Book 1) is now available from newpub author JD Cowan. TWO MEN; ONE POWER Matthew and Jason are just two nobodies in a city of heroes and villains. But when they are given bracelets that endow them with powers, and then get thrown into a whole…
July 5, 2023
Debt Zombie

Debt Zombies

Friday's 6-3 ruling by SCOTUS - including 5 of the 6 Catholics - to uphold Mammon's place in the unofficial state pantheon gave defenders of usury cause to celebrate. Indeed, MAGApedes can rest easy knowing that tax dollars that might've been spent making fraud victims whole can now go toward…
July 3, 202324 Comments
Where to Put Chapter Breaks

Where to Put Chapter Breaks

There's no shortage of advice for indie authors these days. If you're thinking of self-publishing a book, there are scores of professionals who stand ready to offer you tips on everything from cover design to pricing to social media advertising. This abundance of free expertise isn't just limited to marketing…
June 30, 20237 Comments
Heat

Heat

Few films have captured the bloody logic and shifting loyalties of the criminal underworld with as much intensity and finesse as Michael Mann's 1995 classic, Heat. This movie is the high point of High 90s cinema, and with good reason. As we'll see, every element is executed with virtuoso precision…
June 29, 202311 Comments