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The Falcone Report
Year of the Snake! It’s my year and I’m looking forward to seeing what it brings. Although my friend and collaborator Marcus To tells me that when it’s your year that means it will be eventful, which can be good or bad. Ominous. Exciting. Dangerous. 2025!
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I know that this year hasn’t started out as the best for many and with everything going on in the world today I hope that you are holding those nearest and dearest to you close and enjoying peace and happiness whenever and wherever you can.
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A writer always hopes that a pitch they are working on ends up getting the green light, but this month I’m really, really excited about a pitch. It’s a bit more in depth and longer than I normally would write for such a shot in the dark, but sometimes you just need to go down the path that the muse sends you.
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The main question that I try to answer in any pitch that I’m writing is “why this story?”. You want to ensure that whatever decision maker ends up reading your work clearly knows why you think this story needs to be told and why it needs to be told now.
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Emperor of Rome by Mary Beard
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Once you become a classicist you always are a classicist, so I return to Roman history often, whether in my own work like Infamia or just reading for pleasure. In Emperor of Rome, Dame Mary Beard takes a close look at the first two centuries or so of the Roman Empire, examining rise to power, day to day administration, and public attitudes. Not only a vivid picture or history, the book also serves as a warning around autocracy.
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Those unfamiliar with Roman History might wish to start with Beard’s SPQR first, but the work deftly manages to ride the line between heavy scholarly text and accessibility for the layperson. Anyone interested in the history of autocratic rule will find the book illuminating.
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Andrew and I search for the treasure of One-Eyed-Willie as we take a look back at the classic film The Goonies, just in time for its 40th anniversary.
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The Studio has a bunch of fun projects set up for 2025 and we can’t wait to share it all with you. Keep an eye open here https://raidpress.com/ for more info.
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Generally thought be have been created in the 1950s by California bartender Duke Antone, this screwdriver variation provides the flavourful addition of Galliano. Fill a highball glass with ice (a rocks glass works fine as well) and add the vodka and Galliano. Add the OJ and stir. Garnish with an orange slice and maraschino cherry.
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This is a fun and easy drink to whip up for guests and is refreshing any time of year.
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I’m always looking for feedback on this newsletter. What kinds of things do you want to hear from me? Let me know here.
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