A new site called Transcriptase now exists for reprints of stories from Helix Magazine. You can read our stories and poems, see author statements about the incident, and join a discussion of the issues involved in the situation.
If you don’t know the background and why we chose to build this site, start here.
Green Man Review had this to say about “The Girl Next Door”:
“The Girl Next Door,” written by Vylar Kaftan, is disturbing but well-crafted story about an elderly recluse who becomes obsessed with a beautiful new neighbour and finds himself tempted by abilities he disowned in his youth as his desire for the young woman strains reasonable boundaries. Eventually it all leads up to an unsurprising climax with a very surprising conclusion.
…I can’t tell if she liked it. I think so? Anyway, I like being described as “disturbing but well-crafted,” much like anatomically correct knitting.
The 26th is proving quite pleasant. Getting enough sleep really helped.
(Sorry if I worried anyone! While yesterday sucked rocks, it was also partly my short-term rage and lack of sleep.)
You are fired. Worst. Day. Ever.
Go to the back of the line. I’m replacing you with the 26th.
No love,
me.
Over the past few months, many of you have asked if there’s anything you could do to help me with all my health concerns and issues. Mostly I said no, there’s nothing anyone can do.
Well, finally there is! I need a volunteer to help me with a WordPress project. I estimate it’ll take 2-5 hours, probably closer to the lower end (depending on how well you know WordPress).
The catch is that 1-2 of those hours probably need to be today or tomorrow. Helping me with this will directly and positively affect my health. 
Anyone? I can explain more about the project in email. web AT vylar kaftan DOT net. Thanks!
Bubbles and minefields do not play well together.
In fact, I think you could craft a variation on the Chicken, Fox, and Grain puzzle with these two things, plus a kitten.
You have a bubble, a kitten, and a minefield. You need to transport all three of them across the river…
Wait, that doesn’t work, because you can’t trust ANY of these things alone together. Maybe add a bag of kibble for the minefield to play with.
I want apology-lights for cars — wired directly into a driver’s brain. The lights would only flash when you wanted to make a sincere apology, like “Sorry I cut you off,” and “Oh crap, I know I just pulled a crazy driving stunt and I’m sorry for all you people who were nearby.”
That way, you’d know when someone was having a bad driving day, and when they were just an asshole.
The first clue in my crossword puzzle today was REJECTED. I thought you guys should know.
9 letters. I wrote YOUPEOPLE.
Last night, while playing Arkham Horror, I had a thought.
Surely, somewhere in this wild world, there are Cthulhu furries.
A quick Google search has turned up nothing, but perhaps in some quiet little town…