This one is uncomfortable. When Mike Ennenbach suggested doing our homages to Charles Bukowski, I wondered if this was where things go off the rails. Thanks to @candacenola.bsky.social and @danielleyvonne.bsky.social for their support while we go for it. substack.com/home/post/p-...

It glows in the dark you say? And so jigsaw meditation becomes a light show.

Coffee with a zine from @briankeene.bsky.social and I'm resisting more puns because Brian has that covered.

Pics from Tuesday night at Photo City Music Hall. Turkey Blaster Omega are playing in East Hampton, Mass., tonight, so load the car now and map a stop for mozzarella sticks on the way.

April newsletter drops early next week, for reasons explained in the newsletter. You can subscribe when you click on the picture. Thank you if you do.😉

15 years ago today at the Bodhi tree. It was the one thing Aaron said he wanted to see while we traveled around India.

On Saturday morning, Strong Hospital unveiled the updated Gifts of Life Memorial Wall. The photo is from the ceremony beforehand when they showed the donors on the big screen. Please check the box on your license to be a donor and discuss with your family.

This week and next, Mike Ennenbach and I tackle the tanka. Let us know how we do. Continuous gratitude to @candacenola.bsky.social and @danielleyvonne.bsky.social for putting up with our Shenanigans. Annus Poëticus cum Michaele et Craigo (Pompous Multum). A Year-Long Friendly Duel in Poetic Forms!

10 years ago in Philly, Aaron is stepping out of City Hall.

Spring has arrived in the backyard.

Audiobook storms onto the usual platforms! @johnwayneisdead.bsky.social knocks it out of the park! www.audible.com/pd/B0GX2CHJQR books.apple.com/us/audiobook...

"Yes, we should all take a picture of the Mississippi."

Be grateful the nights are shorter in June because you'll be up all night reading (and listening for ghosts or worse, if I'm honest)! Coming June 15 from Barrio Blues Press and @drmariajestrada.bsky.social ! Plus more fantastic art from @splatterzaddy.bsky.social !

Mike Ennenbach goes for it in our alternating poetry challenge. Enjoy! And thanks to @danielleyvonne.bsky.social and @candacenola.bsky.social for hosting our endeavor. candacenola.substack.com/p/04102026-p...

Current reads! Poppy Z. Brite, David Grann, Cordwainer Smith and Peter Gay. I feel like I upped my bookmark game here. Also, you don't often see extensive quotes of Mozart's scatological humor, which would fill volumes on their own, apparently.

In our frequent drives back and forth to Boston over a couple years, we managed to work in some excellent activities. We had always meant to visit the Yale Peabody Museum.

Easter morning; Aaron generously says I look focused.

"Man is like a candle. He must radiate life by burning himself" - Deathsport Saturday was Roger Corman's 100th birthday. The Dryden Theatre showed a double feature of Deathrace 2000/Deathsport. Paul Bartel directed D2k, which makes it highly recommended. Deathsport was funny for different reasons.

I return for a swing at a nerd billionaire... stay tuned this week and next as Mike Ennenbach and I take inspiration from Edward Arlington Robinson. Thanks as always to @candacenola.bsky.social and @danielleyvonne.bsky.social candacenola.substack.com/p/04032026-p...

And here I go again with the reviewing. This time I discuss J.G. Ballard, @kozeniewski.bsky.social , @ianrankin1.bsky.social and @wertherdelledera.bsky.social , @amandaheadlee.bsky.social , and Muriel Spark www.uncomfortablydark.com/post/04-03-2...

This came out 9 years ago. How can it still apply now? Only available as an audiobook because I'm still thinking about redoing the cover... Enjoy the dulcet tones of Angus Freathy because he hit it out of the park. www.amazon.com/dp/0998115207

Earlier this year in Venice Beach.

Lingering in the HOV Lane Newsletter is out- in your mailbox or read it in the link and learn what story I might have been telling in that picture there, as well as what is forthcoming from me. substack.com/@craigbrownl...

Friday night arrives with ballads from Mike Ennenbach and myself courtesy of @candacenola.bsky.social and @danielleyvonne.bsky.social ; link to Mike’s spinning song is in the comments! open.substack.com/pub/candacen...

I read a few books 🙂; in part one I review work by John Brunner, Kevin Candela, John Bruni, Kent Hill, Mignola/Fegredo, Graham Greene and Jo Walton www.uncomfortablydark.com/post/03-27-2...

Coffee and weird tea with RJ; always a bright spot on a road trip

Next monthly newsletter is cued up and you can subscribe here: craigbrownlie.substack.com

At the end of the road in Las Juntas y Los Veranos, upstairs at the mezcaleria. A favorite place which I wrote about for my poetry duel with @mennenbach.bsky.social. My poem, 26 Weeks, will be out in late May, but it was about raising mezcal yesterday. Suzanne took great pictures.

Ten years ago, PV, where everyone comes out to watch the sun set.

The sun is out and Dr. John is singing Tipitina. It's another week. Current reads from @elizabethhand.bsky.social , @ianrankin1.bsky.social and @wertherdelledera.bsky.social , @amandaheadlee.bsky.social , and Levitt/Dubner. A couple will be reviewed for Uncomfortably Dark Disciples this month.

The parade (with Aaron Brendze Brownlie playing with Prime Time Brass) was on Saturday so I braved the cold in the green scarf which Suzanne knitted (she'd be pleased to know how many people stopped me to compliment it). Videos in follow-up.

I had to stop somewhere between Philadelphia and Chapel Hill, so this time I checked out Elizabeth City on the Pasquotank River. Water again. 🙂

This is why you shouldn't have a limerick duel with a leprechaun. open.substack.com/pub/candacen... @mennenbach.bsky.social @candacenola.bsky.social @danielleyvonne.bsky.social

Drawn to the water am I. From the James River to Lake Ontario in early March.

"Let's take the picture again. Take off the hat. It'll be a good one this time."

On a day of emotional whiplash which I blame on Kimya Dawson, Bob Dylan, How to Get to Heaven from Belfast, and Stonewall Kitchen, current reads are from Muriel Spark, Mignola/Fegredo, @kozeniewski.bsky.social, and Stephen Jay Gould. A couple will be reviewed for Uncomfortably Dark Disciples soon.

So, Post Apocalyptic Policing with Frida Kahlo hovered just outside of the Godless Top 10 last week (#12). @oscarbrady.bsky.social has 2 books in the Top 10 so this is the Authorcon Gross Out contest all over again 🤣! I was right in front of him when he did what he did! @godlesshorrors.bsky.social

The thing with Post-Apocalyptic Policing with Frida Kahlo is you don't get just Frida Kahlo, you also get not that Partridge Family. You do get Rochester NY, a murder mystery and zombies. Let's make the Godless Top 10 this week- link in the first comment. www.youtube.com/watch?v=USb5...

A slew of photos from Authorcon. They don't begin to capture the weekend, but it's great to see all those old and new friends. Photos taken by @splatterzaddy.bsky.social, @meltdownmessiah.bsky.social, Betelgeus, Royal Poff, Joe Alec King, Cassandra Celia, and Katrina Nola Sirmons

It's new this week on Godless at a price that can't be beat! For reasons I can't explain, people in Germany buy my books and they pay full cover! You don't have to if you go to Godless- plus it's a charity! Link in the comments.

Obligatory suitcase in the hallway photo at Scares That Care presents AuthorCon VI - Williamsburg ; I sleep best on floors where the carpet matches my luggage.

Visiting friends & family on the way to Scares that Care Authorcon 2026, I met with Douglas Draper to discuss the cover for a new book later this year (my reading Friday night is from it). Also took the opportunity to cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel at sunset. 17 miles of beautiful views!

Mike Ennenbach and I get a little personal this week and next on the old acrostic. 02/20/2026 Poetry Night! Post 1- Annus Poëticus cum Michaele et Craigo (Pompous Multum). A Year-Long Friendly Duel in Poetic Forms by Ennenbach & Craig Brownlie. open.substack.com/pub/candacen...

Twenty five years ago... a photo shoot arranged by Disney Adventures magazine in our back yard... "now prepare yourself while your mother places your gecko on your head."

Monthly newsletter goes out in the next week!

In less than two weeks, I will be at Scares that Care in Williamsburg, Virginia. Come on out and support a good cause. I'll have all the books plus signatures stickers from contributors to Five Raging Hearts who can't attend!

We were just driving down the highway in Los Angeles and there's this big sign about the Skirball Cultural Center and their current Jack Kirby show. I do not recommend slamming on your brakes on the 405.

It was below zero but Aaron and I trudged out to the George Eastman Museum to see the Dutch Connection and eat espresso chocolate chip cookies on Saturday.

Of course we stopped at Horror Vibes Coffee- no we did not partake of the nightmare fuel, but the wall art definitely had the right... vibe.