Episode 6: Single Malts of the Olympic Peninsula

Episode 6: Single Malts of the Olympic Peninsula. It's Steven J. McDermott coming to you from the Panic Room with the Winter of Different Directions podcast. This week's story is "Single Malts of the Olympic Peninsula"



"Ralph, Danny, Shay Lynne, his father—each had their slogans with which to prod him. Crock of platitudes, Gregory Anderson thought as he drove his van out of the liquor store parking lot and onto highway 101 heading for the coast with a bottle of Bowmore squeezed between his thighs and a bottle of Glenrothes on the passenger seat. What had Danny called it? Getting laid by blame, finding someone to take the fall. Of course he could take the blame himself. No, that's getting reamed. Twelve million steps with no end. Forget that. He'd confront his demons. Go back to Forks, to the old homestead, to the scene of the crime. Slay the fucking dragon in its lair . . . . "

Listen to the episode: download the mp3 (33:40 mins 23.2 mb)
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In addition to the podcast, I've posted commentary on the story over in the Storyglossia litblog. In a feature I'm calling "The Story Behind the Story" I give you some history on where the story came from, why I wrote it, how it changed in its various revisions, as well as discuss—in true Storyglossia fashion—some of the craft issues I was working on in the story. So check it out after you listen to "Single Malts of the Olympic Peninsula."

Next up, in episode 7, I'll be reading "My Summer Vacation."

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