I think I agree with you about the overall vibe — I feel like some elements were underdeveloped, or uneven throughout the piece? But they were good and overall it was really nice!

@Jsuttonmorse #sffshortsclub #TenStepsForEffectiveMoldRemoval

@Jsuttonmorse I really liked the bit when they could no longer perceive each other, but still made each other coffee and tea.
That was a great image,
and oh my dear goodness it felt familiar 😅

#sffshortsclub #TenStepsForEffectiveMoldRemoval

@standback

Apart from "It'll never be over" message, the story's conclusion spoke to my own preoccupation with how our addiction to social meda and living through our screens can begin to erase the real people in our physical environment or even, by colonising our minds with a million crowd-spawned thoughts, erase our own selves.

#sffshortsclub #bookclub #TenStepsForEffectiveMoldRemoval #PandemicStory

@standback
It really does work as a pandemic story. There's a warning in it: that things may appear back to normal, but they aren't and never will be. DId it surprise me? Only in a good way: the writer cleverly dropping clues about what's happening, but I could only put it together at the end.

#sffshortsclub #bookclub #TenStepsForEffectiveMoldRemoval #PandemicStory

Diving right in with my thoughts on the pandemic fiction aspects.

I don't know what "too soon" is for pandemic fiction influenced by a (still ongoing) global pandemic but parts of #TenStepsForEffectiveMoldRemoval hit too hard.

I think I'm uncomfortable reading conspiratorial pandemic fiction (maybe it's too close to my work) and the "the truth is being hidden from you" aspects of this bothered me.

#sffShortsClub #ShortFiction

As the story progresses, we learn that the mold makes things (and people) invisible to others.

What did you think of as a conclusion? What is being said here? Is this, too, keyed to our real-life pandemic, or is it speaking about something more universal?

#sffshortsclub #bookclub #TenStepsForEffectiveMoldRemoval #PandemicStory

Elephant in the room: this very much feels like a pandemic story, referencing a lot of experiences with COVID-19.

What do you look for in new fiction that addresses the pandemic? Have you read other pandemic fiction you've enjoyed? Did this piece work for you, as a pandemic story? Did it surprise you? /+

#sffshortsclub #bookclub #TenStepsForEffectiveMoldRemoval #PandemicStory

This is a story in an unusual format — it's written as a series of product reviews.

Did this work well for you? Why do you think the author chose this format for the story? What does the format add, that we wouldn't have gotten with "regular" narrative? /+

#sffshortsclub #bookclub #TenStepsForEffectiveMoldRemoval #FormatStories

First off: General impressions!

What did you think of the story?
What stood out to you?
What worked well, and what didn't? /+

#sffshortsclub #bookclub #TenStepsForEffectiveMoldRemoval

Second week of #sffshortsclub!
Today's story is "Ten Steps for Effective Mold Removal," by #DerrickBoden, published in #ApexMagazine.

>If you’re looking for a cheap way to kill all this mold—and who isn’t, right now—look no further than Inkicide Disinfectant Concentrate 64oz (4 bottles).<

Story here: https://apex-magazine.com/short-fiction/ten-steps-for-effective-mold-removal/

Some convo openers downthread.
PLEASE READ our quick guidelines before posting: /+

#sff #ShortFiction #bookclub @shortsff
#TenStepsForEffectiveMoldRemoval #PandemicStory

Friends of the #sffshortsclub!
Mold is what you wanted, and mold is what you got!

Our next selection is "Ten Steps for Effective Mold Removal," by Derrick Boden, published in Apex Magazine.

Read it here: https://apex-magazine.com/short-fiction/ten-steps-for-effective-mold-removal/

I'll open discussion on SUNDAY, be sure to check the #sffshortsclub tag to join in!

#sff #ShortFiction #bookclub @shortsff
#ApexMAgazine #DerrickBoden #TenStepsForEffectiveMoldRemoval