This Friday, November 20th, at 7:30 PM PST, I’m going to be joining a few other authors and reading an unpublished story for King County Library’s streaming spooking story session: Barely Tolerable Tales. Not a bad way to spend a Friday night in lockdown.

I’m excited. My story, Overture, is a little different from my books but still connected to the Bell Forging Cycle. As of yet, it hasn’t been published anywhere. While this event is streaming on Zoom, it won’t be recorded, so if you’re hankering for a little more from the world of the Territories until Gleam Upon the Waves arrives, you should register today and make plans to attend! Spaces are limited.

Barely Tolerable Tales is for adults and presented by fine folks at The Cresswell Club. They even enlisted me to find a suitable cocktail for our evening of stories. So, I called in my cocktail calvary and enlisted my pal and fellow writer J. Rushing to help. (Check out his novel RADIO.) And help he did. We’re calling this drink The Pallid Mask and the recipe below (and on the registration page.)

The Pallid Mask

  • 2 oz. young Mezcal
  • 1 oz. Dry Vermouth
  • 1 oz. Green Chartreuse

Mix all ingredients in a shaker. Stir with ice—strain into a cocktail glass. Squeeze a sprig of rosemary over the top and throw it in as a garnish. (If you like your drinks a little sweeter, consider adding a 1/4–⁠1/2 oz. of simple syrup.)

I think that covers all the pertinents. Hopefully, I’ll see you on Friday!