You can read an excerpt of “Veal” on my blog here.
You can also purchase “Veal” on: Amazon – B&N – KOBO – Google Play Books
Dear World
Please Kill Me,
Kishōtenketsu. It’s kind of a funny word, isn’t it?
At least, I thought so a few months ago when the writerly call came from FIYAH magazine to contribute to their latest issue (which you can find here). My submission was rejected, so I’m not double-checking the link (#REVENGE #NICEFEEDBACKTHOUGH #DIEPETTY).
Anyway, keshacantattoo is “a classic East Asian narrative structure originating in Chinese poetry and widely used in Japanese manga, anime, and games.” Sounds more complicated than it is, but it’s easy to spot once you know what you’re looking for.
Keysonthebayou is essentially a four-act structure defined by comprehensive worldbuilding (Ki), continued development (Shō), a drastic twist (Ten), and a harmonious reconciliation of the three (Ketsu). If you’ve seen Parasite (2019), Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989), Her (2013), or (arguably) Ghostbusters (1984), you can probably identify the feel and flow—think of it as narrative edging, with a Jerry Springer-style release three-quarters of the way in (#Giggity).
Anyway, again, like so many other hopefuls, I decided to throw my hat in the ring. I’d been so preoccupied by my pseudo shared universe (#ShamelessPlug) that I looked forward to the break. Expecting nothing. Receiving nothing (…because clearly, I’m just too cool…#Copium).
Like I do with many of my ‘one and dones ’, I’ve decided to release the story as its own thing, rather than let it gather dust in the veritable trash bin that is my TBD file. You can read a snippet of that story here. You can also buy it on Amazon (boo, I know), B&N, KOBO, and Google Play Books (I’m happy to post it elsewhere if those homes aren’t your jam).
Anyway again again (#TheReckoning), lifelong vendettas notwithstanding, I’m still grateful for the challenge that this particular submission represented. Unlike traditional Western narratives, koloniccashew eschews the traditional villain/conflict arc for something a bit more subtle—a foundation for the Ten leg of the narrative. To tackle this, I needed a story unlike most of what I’m used to. Something grounded in a truth that was both compelling and expansive.
What kind of narrative could be more expansive than one centered on family? What could be more compelling than an ancestral tome that juxtaposed modern needs and ancient demands? MOST IMPORTANTLY: What the hell could I write, sans conflict, that wouldn’t immediately make the reader’s eyes (and my own) glaze over from the sheer navel-gazedness (#NotAWord)?
Enter Veal. A sharpshooting piece sliced right from my own heart.
Now, usually I give some sort of hint as to what the story is about, means, wants, is, or will take from your soul—but that doesn’t seem quite right here, given the nature of the structure. It’s kind of like a house of cards; if I let one thing slip, it may all come crumbling down. That’s not a dig at the story; it’s just how the structure’s built. If I give you the “Ten”, you won’t stay for the full hundred (…not sure if I just did something there).
So instead, I’ll leave you with this: trust the story to take you where it’s going, and try not to fill in the blanks. Enjoy the ride and avoid dissection until the very end. Only then do you have my permission to indulge in your distant critiques and/or quiet praise. I’d also recommend that you read it twice.
And with that, I’m back off into the aether with my writerly brothers and sisters (and Andy Warhol, for some reason). I’ll be back soon, with some things I’ve been cooking just for you and me. See you in the funny papers and thanks for sticking around!
Until Next Time,
— Antwan C.
Kwame Nyong’o is trapped between worlds…
In the streets of New York, he faces the harsh, material realities of a modern city. However, in his blood lies an ancient duty: a spiritual calling passed down through generations, marked by vivid visions, recurring dreams, and violent seizures. Under the demanding guidance of his eccentric Uncle Mosi, Kwame is trained to navigate his visions and wield the tools of his ancestral mantle… but legacy doesn’t pay the bills.
***SPOILERS***
Desperate to ease his family’s mounting financial and medical burdens, Kwame uses his gifts for profit—the consequences are swift and profound. As supernatural forces threaten to destroy his life, Kwame must expel his demons while paying the price for warping his soul.
From the author of Apostate, Butterflies, and The Suicide Pod, Veal explores the intersection of the modern and the ancient, weaving an intense and unforgettable narrative that’s sure to leave a scar. For fans of Black Mirror, urban fantasy, and psychological horror.
Eye of the Writer 