Hello! I had three people who had signed up to review my poetry chapbook "Face Down in the Leaves" but I've since lost the list and haven't been able to recover their names.

I will be giving out review copies. I'll send you the chapbook, you post your honest thoughts on Amazon and/or Goodreads (preferably both, but I'm not gonna hold a gun to your head). Please contact me if interested.

Recent events have a lot of people thinking about self-defense implements. That’s understandable. So, I thought I would do a short talk on the subject. We will begin with some disclaimers:
First, I am not an expert on self-defense, but a researcher. This thread represents a distillation of points made by other people who ARE experts. That said, you should never just take someone’s word for it. DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH.
Second, always be sure you have a thorough understanding of the pertinent laws before you begin carrying any type of weapon or self-defense implement. Failing to do so can land you in serious legal trouble.
Third, no self-defense implement is a substitute for training. No matter your plan, you need to practice the techniques until they become second nature. One saying in the self-defense community is, “You don’t rise to the occasion, you fall to the level of your training.” Keep this in mind.
Finally, if your motivation for carrying is “so I can kill people,” then you shouldn’t have a pair of safety scissors, let alone a weapon. The aim here is to guard your life and the lives of others, not to fulfil some base sadistic urge or self-glorifying phantasy.

Firearms: Let’s get this one out of the way. Guns are pretty effective at what they do. If someone is trying to kill you, punching holes in their vital organs will tend to make them stop doing that. Simply revealing a firearm may sometimes be sufficient to defuse a situation (although this can also go the other way and should never be relied upon as a tactic).
Carrying a gun is not for everyone. Reasons against may be financial, medical, legal, ethical or involve some other practical concerns. Many people are not emotionally equipped to pull the trigger on a human life, however dire the need.
It also bears pointing out that there are few options for making one’s use of a firearm proportional to the threat one is facing: shooting at someone generally entails a high likelihood of killing them. For this reason, some gun owners choose to carry a less-lethal tool in addition to their firearm(s).
Note that firearm law in the US varies not just from state to state, but county to county and municipality to municipality. Always do your research and, if in doubt, consult a professional. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Knives: These have a few things going for them and a whole lot going against. First, the pros: a serviceable knife can be had for little money. They are portable and easy to maintain. A well-designed knife is also very quick to deploy. They’re versatile, too, and have many day-to-day applications apart from self-defense.
On the negative side, knives necessitate getting in close to the attacker, exposing one to danger. They are another tool with a high likelihood of killing the intended target and are not appropriate for low stakes engagements. Some people may be outright unable to bring themselves to use a knife on another human being. Finally, a single knife wound, even a mortal one, may not disable an attacker for some time, during which they will still be dangerous. Indeed, it may take many wounds, delivered in rapid succession, to nullify a threat. How is that going to look to a jury?
In a life-or-death situation one does what one must, but knives are just not ideal self-defense tools. A weapon of last resort.

Pepper Spray: Pepper spray has a lot going for it. It’s cheap, easy to use and readily available. It’s not regulated all that much (but always check your local laws) and can be carried by just about anyone. It is reasonably effective, while at the same time unlikely to kill or cause permanent injury to an attacker (although it may, in rare instances).
There are downsides, however. Pepper spray is not 100% effective, despite any claims to the contrary. It has limited range. Cannisters lose pressure over time and must be periodically replaced. Strong winds can cause it to miss or even blow back towards you (for this reason, I recommend gel rather than spray). Used indoors, it can get into the ventilation system or otherwise linger and cause problems. Note also that not all pepper spray is created equal. I personally recommend Saber Red pepper gel, which has a good reputation. (DO NOT use bug spray instead, thinking it is “just as good.” It isn’t. Additionally, at least in the US, using bug spray for this purpose is a violation of federal law!)

Stun Gun: [Not tasers. Tasers have their own entry.] A stun gun is a handheld device which produces current between two electrodes for the purpose of incapacitating or discouraging an attacker. They produce a loud noise and a bright flash. Getting hit by that current is painful and causes involuntary muscle contractions at the point of contact. All this may frighten off a half-hearted robber but is unlikely to dissuade someone dead set on doing you harm. Police who were issued stun guns for use in the field have reported them as being broadly ineffective at subduing targets.
Not recommended, though they are probably better than nothing.

Taser: Tasers shoot out electrified spikes which stick into the target. Originally these spikes would be trailing wires which led back to the power source in the “gun” part of the device, but wireless tasers now exist and are likely to become more common in the future. Like with stun guns, the current from a taser is very painful and causes involuntary muscle contractions. But tasers are much more powerful.
Law enforcement tasers have a range of up to about 35 feet. Civilian models generally have less range, closer to 15 feet. Owing to the nature of their design, most tasers can only fire one shot. While they are usually effective at incapacitating an attacker, they aren’t always (I have heard it said that tasers are effective about 75% of the time, though take that with a grain of salt). Tasers can be thwarted by heavy clothing. They are ineffective against groups.
Against a single attacker in light clothing, a taser will probably work most of the time. Don’t miss, and have a backup plan if you decide to go this route.

Kubotan: Kubotan, if you didn’t know, are small (pocket-sized) rods, sometimes with a blunt point on one end or both ends. These may be sold attached to keyrings or not. The idea is that you use this to strike or push into the attacker’s vulnerable spots: eyes, pressure points, etc.
Frankly, if you’re good enough at fighting to use a kubotan, you don’t need a kubotan. If you want something like this, get a sturdy flashlight or “tactical pen” of about the same size. You’re far more likely to get use out of it that way. I guess there are situations where one of these might come in handy, but there are better options. It certainly shouldn’t be your first line of defense.

Batons, collapsible batons, canes, bats: These are clubs. A sharp blow with one of these stands a good chance of killing someone or causing permanent injury. I’m not saying you shouldn’t carry/use one, but don’t have any illusions about what you’re doing. Clubs were used in war for thousands of years. They haven’t gotten any safer since then. Laws can vary wildly from place to place, so do your homework before carrying. And if you decide to use a bat, have a glove as well.

Slungshot/Monkey Fist/Blackjack: A specialized subcategory of club. These were used in the past for attacking people from behind. They’re weapons, but not defensive in nature. One might find some use for these in a fight, but I would suggest looking elsewhere. Legality is dubious in many places, often these are outright illegal.

Brass knuckles/Knuckle dusters: Ill-fitting brass knuckles can break your fingers. The heavy plastic/polymer ones you see nowadays can have poor durability and may shatter on the first strike. None of this is mentioning the questionable legality. I can’t recommend these for anyone.

Hand-to-hand training: Learning a martial art is a good idea no matter your self-defense plan. It helps keep the body fit while cultivating the sort of mindset a person needs in a self-defense situation. One cannot expect to always have weapons/tools at hand, and one may become disarmed in a confrontation, so there is always a chance it will come down to brawling. The only caveats to this are that you need to study a real martial art that teaches proven, effective techniques. Be wary of mystical mumbo-jumbo; you’re there to learn fighting, not witchcraft. You should also be prepared to research your instructors’ credentials, as the martial arts industry is rife with frauds and conmen.

So there you have it. If I missed anything, or if you have thoughts/questions/corrections, feel free to share them.

OG furry Khaki was kind enough to do a reading of my award-winning short story, "Behesht." You may listen to it here: https://anchor.fm/the-voice-of-dog/.....y-Dwale-ed3qt6

My poetry collection from Weasel Press is out today: https://www.weaselpress.com/shop/fa.....-in-the-leaves

Hey, guys. I know it's been a while since I posted anything, but I finally have some news. My poetry collection "Face Down in the Leaves" is now available for pre-order. The official release date is set for September 3rd, 2019.

https://www.weaselpress.com/shop/fa.....-in-the-leaves

I'll be assuming the FWG Presidency next month.

Received a proof for my poetry chapbook "Face Down in the Leaves" which presumably means the release is not too far in the future.

Going to Furry Weekend Atlanta on Thursday. Don't be afraid to come meet me if you're going to be there!

I'm announcing my candidacy for the Furry Writers' Guild presidency. As it's unlikely anyone else will be masochistic enough to pursue this office, I'll go ahead and debate myself.

Pros-

I do strongly believe in the FWG mission: to promote and elevate anthropomorphic fiction.
Well over a decade of experience moderating forums, with many years of experience particular to the FWG.
Reasonably level-headed.
I will usher in an age of despair that will last a thousand-thousand years.
Flexible schedule and bribe pricing.

Cons-

I forget things.
Couldn't code my way out of a wet paper bag.
So, so lazy.
A bit goofier than would be good for anyone involved.

Vote Dwale FWG President for 2019: "Better Than No One"

My flame low, frail as foam,
We made a change of hateful acreage,
Bitter course which I was bound
To: trim the wick or quench the embers,
Quick to cut the candle down

And I would be your psychopomp
And you would be my ward
And I would guide you through the night
To what we’re heading towards
And I would be your rescuer
The one to clasp your hand
And lift you off the spinning rock
And clean you free of sand

Clock hands whirled like a top,
A fire died, another grew
A pair of dice through parallax,
To view from heights the chance improved
A votive candle packed with wax

And you will be my psychopomp
And I will be your ward
And you will guide me through the light,
Or what we’re heading towards
And you will be the messenger
You always meant to be
And lift me up the living sky
To touch eternity

My short story "The Beating of Wild Hooves" has been nominated for the Ursa Major Awards. Please consider voting for it, I've come in second two years in a row and I'd really like to win this time.

https://ursamajorawards.org/voting2018/

Greetings. I have two stories eligible for awards this time around:

"The Beating Of Wild Hooves" from "CLAW Volume 1"
"The River in the Mist" from "Furry Trash"

If you'd like to help me out, please consider nominating either or both of these stories for the Ursa Majors, Leo Awards, and/or Coyotl Awards.

The anthology "Furry Trash" is out. Edited by  JayStoat and published by Rabbit Valley Comics, this anthology features my short story "The River in the Mist" which I feel is some of my best work to date.

https://www.rabbitvalley.com/item/9.....-by-JFR-Coates

Any excuse to treat people right is a good thing in my book, and I don't need to accept a particular dogma to appreciate it. Merry Whatever, folks. Peace and love.

A while ago, I wrote an article for Dogpatch Press. This is it: http://dogpatch.press/2018/08/06/re.....w-red-engines/

It's a rather critical review of a short story which appeared in the furry anthology "Dogs of War II: Aftermath." I found the story offensive because it was Islamophobic in nature (for more details, read the review itself), so much so that despite being a passive, non-confrontational sort of person, I felt like I had to do something.

I expected the review would be largely ignored. I expected most of the attention it did get would be from trolls representing hate groups. Instead, support poured in from every corner of the furry writing community (something for which I shall be eternally grateful).

There were some arguments. Neither the editor nor the author of the story have acknowledged any wrongdoing, and the closest thing to an act of contrition we've seen was one of those "I'm sorry if people were offended" comments which don't qualify as meaningful apologies at all. They seem content to claim, "Actually, the story means the opposite of that" as if that alone were some kind of defense, and which I'm tempted to call gaslighting.

That brings us here, with the editor now asking to reprint one of my stories for a new anthology. Specifically, he wants to reprint "Behesht" from Roar volume 8.

I think if it were any other story, I would tell him, "No." But "Behesht" just so happens to be a story full of Muslim characters. It isn't a "pro-Islam" story, just one that happens to feature Muslims living their lives and not being portrayed as violent savages. Sad as this is, there's a conspicuous dearth of that sort of thing in American media. Therefore, I have decided that I will let my story be included in the anthology.

As described here: https://www.flayrah.com/7364/claw-v.....ted-kc-alpinus

This anthology features my short story, "The Beating of Wild Hooves" which I think is one of my better works. I hope you will enjoy it.

Summer, season of hot insomnia,
That much never seems to change at all.
Laying awake in the red desert night,
I shape woods from shadow and wait for fall.

Ten years now gone, and who thought I would miss
The songs of crickets, owls and katydids?
Back then, I would have gathered a hammer,
Smashed them flat as Pinocchio's conscience.

Testing palisades of clocks and yardsticks,
No advent waits for the restive dreamer.
I bandage my tattered, bitten hand and
Turn the smoke rings on my cloven finger.

My short story "Behesht" won a Coyotl Award. All my thanks to everyone who voted. It really means a lot to me. You guys are the best.

As the title suggests, time is almost up. ursamajorawards.org/voting2017/

My short story "Behesht" is eligible. If you would like to read it, you may do so here: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/26734461/

The UMA nominees have been announced: http://www.ursamajorawards.org/ Congratulations to all the nominees.

As you can see, my short story "Behesht" is among them. Thank you very much to all who nominated it.

Now we come to the voting phase. Please consider voting for "Behesht" in the short fiction category. Thanks again. v^.^

Please consider voting for "Behesht" from "Roar 8" for the short story category in the Ursa Major Awards and Coyotl Awards.

Dawn sun and birdsong.
Sopping brow. New dream-catcher,
Now torn to tatters.

I have three stories which were published in 2017.

"Behesht" published in "Roar 8"

"The Surface Tension" published in "Dogs of War II"

"The Projectionist" a flash fiction published in "Typewriter Emergencies"

These are eligible for the Ursa Major Awards, the Coyotl Awards, and the Leo Awards. (Behesht has already been nominated for Leo award)

Still waiting for a taste of something true
In the maiden grass, chasing the fireflies,
Thinking back on the last time you heard me
Drink dew like a hungry ghost in the night.
Oh, would that my shuttered words could grow wings
And search this whole breadth of grudging country.
Instead, struggling long for a jagged breath,
My songs choke and fall, and drown in my chest.
Iron ropes, my wrists and ankles now are
Filled with wire splinters. My throat is too thin
To tell your worth aloud. But, could I view
Your moonlit skin, it would scorch my soul to cinders.

Most of the experiences I had as a child that I thought of as paranormal were ones that I’ve been able to explain away in adulthood. There remains, however, an exception which I will describe to you now. This is only a small thing, but to this day, I can’t account for it.

I was around eight years old at the time. My bedroom was at the end of the house, across from my parents’ room, with a short hallway between us. Down at the other end of the hallway there was a door which let onto the living room. Just inside the living room there was a computer desk. The distance between my room and the computer would have been about twenty feet (six meters).

I was lying awake one night (I had bouts of severe insomnia back then). I don’t remember what time of year it was, but the attic fan wasn’t on, and neither was the heat. On nights like that, you could hear everything that happened in that part of the house.

A strange, eerie music began to play from the computer. Now, this was a clunky old thing that ran on DOS, not even state of the art by mid-80’s standards. We only had a handful of floppies for it, and, being a curious child, I knew them all. This was not music from any disk we had.

The moment the music began, I was paralyzed with fear. It may sound like an overreaction, but I was afraid because everyone else in the house was asleep. If anyone had gone into the living room, I would have heard their footsteps. Moreover, I would have heard them turn the computer on (it had a huge red switch that made a loud clunk when you flicked it, and we never left it running unattended).

The music played for a short time, I would think less than a minute, and was gone as suddenly as it had begun. I was too frightened to investigate and just laid there awake for the rest of the night. I never told my family about it and it never happened again so far as I can remember. The event did instill me with a certain anxiety, though, as I dreaded that it might reoccur. The computer broke a few months later and we never replaced it.

This story has an addendum. Several years later, while watching a cartoon, I heard a piece of music that sounded so much like it that it gave me chills. If you can imagine a low-quality midi version of the first forty seconds or so of this, then you’ll have a good idea of what I heard that night: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6Ud952M0SE

Even after all this time, I still don’t really like to listen to that. ^.^;

My short story "The Beating Of Wild Hooves" was accepted for publication in CLAW.

At over 12,000 words, this is one the longer stories I've done, and it underwent several drafts before I was satisfied with it. I look forward to sharing this story with you when it becomes available.

You soar like birds, for sure.
I’m thinking buzzards, scrambling
For bloody copper coins.
Swiped before our eyes,
Made us dance for scraps,
And now- Surprise! -you want them back.
Hey, I get it.
You want more, so why keep score
Of burdens borne on the backs of the poor?
It’s not hard to believe,
Watching you motherfuckers squeeze,
That you got a stone to bleed.