Two Heads
Kambei was the first to see the samurai arrive.
Brave the Castle
Short stories, creative nonfiction, and poetry from a writer braving the fortified and labyrinth world of literature to uncover its treasure.
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An Important Message For All Readers
Dear Castle Bravers,
Castle Notes: 22nd of October, 2026
Kill the I.
Osteria Oggi
Oggi’s is the young person’s Italian restaurant.
Castle Notes: 15th of October, 2026
When does your writing become too ambiguous?
9-5
A poem.
From the Web: September 2025
(From the Web is a monthly newsletter here on Brave the Castle to meet the needs of any readers and writers who have the same priorities as me when it comes to literary newsletters: articles that help you keep up to date with the literary ecosystem and that remind you why literature is awesome).
Castle Notes: 9th of October, 2026
Apologies that this week’s Castle Notes is a day late.
Real People: An Interview with Geoff Brittain
“People like horrible characters,” Brittain tells me.
Castle Notes: 1st of October, 2026
I had another bout with Basho, and I lost again.
Filling My Flask
A Poem.
Castle Notes: 24th of September, 2026
I was afraid to write “American Venus.”
American Venus
So much has been written about the American Eagle ads in the last two months that you may wonder if some of it was driven by desire just to gaze at Sydney Sweeney’s figure.
Castle Notes: 17th of September, 2026
Is a one-sentence story even a story?
Condemned
A one-sentence story.
Castle Notes: 10th of September, 2026
Reviewing The Magic Flute brought more surprises than me being able to quote Kermit the Frog without looking ridiculous, and that was quite a big one.
The Magic Flute
Shuang Zou, directing Mozart's opera in the Adelaide Festival this year, has turned it into an absurd mess, like a toddler gluing a jigsaw puzzle together with play dough.
Castle Notes: 3rd of September, 2026
Hemingway boxed with Tolstoy.
From the Web: August 2025
(From the Web is a monthly newsletter here on Brave the Castle to meet the needs of any readers and writers who have the same priorities as me when it comes to literary newsletters: articles that help you keep up to date with the literary ecosystem and that remind you why literature is awesome).
Thunder
A haiku