Three Short Stories, Ramen, and Reading Recs

To view this email as a web page, go [here.]( [Tor.com Newsletter]( [Forward to a Friend]( COMFORT READS [The Ramen Connection: Books, Noodles, and Living the Pandemic Life]( A lot of us have turned to books for comfort during the pandemic, but writer Ryka Aoki wants to take a moment to talk about something equally comforting: ramen. Don’t books and ramen make the perfect pairing? What more could you ask for? Aoki shares five pairings of noodles and reads to keep you cozy and entertained. [Read more]( SHARE THIS: [Publish to Facebook]( [Publish to Twitter]( WORLDBUILDING [Five Fantasy Worlds That Aren’t Just Magical Versions of Earth]( While science fiction worlds are (somewhat) constrained by the laws of physics, the same is not necessarily true of fantasy worlds. Despite this, many fantasy worlds are slight variations on Earth, or “standard Earth plus magic.” But sometimes writers create worlds that feel entirely their own, and operate by their own rules. Here are five examples, with more in the comments! [Read more]( SHARE THIS: [Publish to Facebook]( [Publish to Twitter]( BARD LIFE [Burn Butcher Burn: Jaskier Deserved Better in The Witcher Season 2]( There’s a lot to love in season two of Netflix’s The Witcher, but many admirers of the fan favorite bard Jaskier have been left wanting. Jaskier, unlike almost everyone else in Geralt’s life, is interested in Geralt before he even realizes Geralt’s a witcher—so it’s strange that their relationship is so strained in the current batch of episodes. Maya Gittelman delves into the friendship between Jaskier and Geralt, and the second season’s heartbreak. [Read more]( SHARE THIS: [Publish to Facebook]( [Publish to Twitter]( KEEP IT WEIRD [Five Books That Feel Like a Trippy Haunted House]( There’s a realism in a novel that induces a state of horror and paranoia, since our world often does the same. Sometimes we want to feel like the fabric of reality is tearing like the seat of an old lawn chair, but from the safety of our rooms. Author Isaac Fellman recommends five books that make any room feel like a trippy haunted house. [Read more]( SHARE THIS: [Publish to Facebook]( [Publish to Twitter]( ROLL FOR VIBE CHECK [What I Learned From Breaking Up With D&D]( D&D is one of the world’s most popular RPGs, but campaigns can involve a lot of work and responsibility for both players and DMs alike. Cole Rush shares his experience trying and failing to enjoy his role as a first-time DM and what he figured out along the way. [Read more]( SHARE THIS: [Publish to Facebook]( [Publish to Twitter]( ORIGINAL FICTION [“The Last Truth” by AnaMaria Curtis]( The first place winner of the LeVar Burton Reads writing contest, as co-presented by FIYAH Literary Magazine and Tor.com! A runaway and indentured thief, Eri must provide a new secret to open each new lock, at the cost of her own memory. Hundreds of locks later, Eri can barely recall her own past. An unanticipated alliance with a musician may prove the key to both their freedoms—if Eri doesn’t lose herself in the process. [Read more]( SHARE THIS: [Publish to Facebook]( [Publish to Twitter]( ORIGINAL FICTION [“Girl Oil” by Grace P. Fong]( The second place winner of the LeVar Burton Reads writing contest, as co-presented by FIYAH Literary Magazine and Tor.com! Chelle’s friend, Wenqian, has everything Chelle doesn’t. A slim figure, pale skin, and most notably the affection of her longtime friend Preston. Like the ocean waves she calls home, Chelle feels transparent and overflowing all at once. So when she’s given body oil that promises to fix all of her mistakes, she’ll use as much as it takes to reach perfection; no matter how much it hurts. [Read more]( SHARE THIS: [Publish to Facebook]( [Publish to Twitter]( ORIGINAL FICTION [“Synthetic Perennial” by Vivianni Glass]( The third place winner of the LeVar Burton Reads writing contest, as co-presented by FIYAH Literary Magazine and Tor.com! K’Mori has died once already. Brought back to life, she struggles with the limits of her reanimation while the world struggles with its meaning. [Read more]( SHARE THIS: [Publish to Facebook]( [Publish to Twitter]( Follow Tor.com to get updates on all of our original fiction. FOLLOW US: [Follow Us on Facebook]( [Follow Us on Twitter]( [Follow Us on Tumblr]( [Follow Us on Pinterest]( This email was sent by: Macmillan 120 Broadway New York, NY, 10271, US We respect your right to privacy - [view our policy]( Macmillan believes piracy hurts writers, readers and everyone who loves books. Learn more and report suspicious activity [here.]( To subscribe to this or other email communications from Macmillan, please click [here](. Visit our [profile center]( to update your email address and/or other information. If you no longer wish to receive this email communication, click [here]( to unsubscribe.