My speculative climate story “Cascade” appearing in Peatsmoke Journal.
Archive for the ‘Features’ Category
Pop Forgot
A sci-fi poem about doom and memory, published in Abyss&Apex Magazine.

The Saba Demos
In 2022, I started work on arrangements for a new Instrumental Afrofunk Septet, but the project morphed into something a bit different. I still had these arrangements hanging around, so I decided to clean them up and release them. The album includes three original compositions and five cover songs.
I hope you enjoy them!
Up and Down
My short story, appearing in Mythaxis Magazine, Winter 2022 issue 32.

Both Sides
Both Sides (bothsides.info) is a website I built to show evidence of votes where Republican and Democratic legislators in Congress have differed greatly. The aim is to show cases where the “both sides” narrative (ie, “both sides are really just two sides of the same coin”) falls apart. The hope is that prospective voters and non-voters, no matter their political stripe, will see that the balance of power between the two parties can and does make a difference.
This site was inspired by a classic reddit post showing a list of important votes where both parties dramatically diverged in their votes. I’m hoping to provide a lasting, easy-to-find archive of these votes, one that will grow over time through a feature where users can suggest more Congressional votes that fit the bill (if you’ll pardon the pun).
Tainted Love / Boys Don’t Cry
Red Spot Rhythm Section brings you a two-sided single of broken-hearted soul, in these renditions of hits from 1980s Britain, featuring Claire Liparulo and Erthe St. James.
The tracks have appeared on KPCR, KCBP, WLUW, WNUR, WHCM, CHIRP Radio Chicago, Southern FM (Melbourne, AUS), and syndicated shows such as This Is Ska among others.
Cover art by Shannon Belock.
Released May 6, 2022.

Starting A Short Story: A Craft Essay Goes Too Far

What’s the opposite of analysis paralysis? I got a bit obsessed with the beginning of a short story I found at a writing conference and went a little too far with it. I knew better but I couldn’t help myself.
The result ended up in The Masters Review.
https://mastersreview.com/starting-a-short-story-a-craft-essay-goes-too-far-by-j-howard-siegal/
Rocks and Snow
My short story, “Rocks and Snow”, appearing in Lamplit Underground volume 6.
This story was nominated for a 2021 Pushcart Prize.
Won’t Back Down: A Roots Tribute to Tom Petty
Red Spot Rhythm Section presents “Won’t Back Down”, a loving tribute to the music of Tom Petty. The Chicago musical collective and rhythm section has re-imagined hits and deeper tracks from every era of this beloved American musical great, rendering them in roots rock, reggae, and ska arrangements. The album features immense vocal talent and teems with groove, heart, and, of course, incredible songs.
The album features the talents of Akasha, JC Brooks, Todd Kessler, Angela Peel, Jaik Willis, and more.
It has received airplay on WBEZ, WNUR, WLUW, WCGO, CHIRP Radio, KPCR, and KCBP, as well as syndicated shows such as This Is Ska and The Music Authority, among others.
Released August 6, 2021
