One year ago today “Otherwise Wretched“ was launched into the world at the fine Columbus indie bookshop Prologue Books. With the generous help of PBS’s Eric Gnezda! A wonderful ride!
William Burtch
@williamburtch.bsky.social
Writer. Coauthor of award-winning biography “W.G.” (Sunbury). “Otherwise Wretched” 2025 (Catamount) Finalist American Fiction Short Story Award. Second-Rounder Austin Film Festival. Authors Guild. www.williamburtch.com
Fresh off of the Grand Lake Literature Festival, Otherwise Wretched: Stories was selected by the Committee for the Inaugural Grove City (OH) Book Festival. This festival is part of the City’s USA 250 Year Independence slate of events. Thank you Selection Committee!
I love Alan’s description of Pigs here—also he’s not wrong about the NPR thing even though NPR might be surprised to learn that. Thanks to everyone at AWP who helped dwindle down the restock of my book. I sold way more copies than I thought I would!
Malarkey@malarkeybooks.bsky.social · 5mo agoGot some books back in stock by @justinwriter.bsky.social @giordkat.bsky.social @rogerjva.bsky.social @joeyhedger.bsky.social @alexmiller77.bsky.social and @ossuary.bsky.social malarkeybooks.com/store
Support a cool indie press and get free shipping this Spring! Pick up a copy of my debut collection Otherwise Wretched and join this conversation!
What a great time talking with Chris Clinard at Books4Guys. We discussed the importance of bringing guys back to literary fiction and the role lit journals play in nurturing writers. I hope you check it out! www.youtube.com/watch?v=usEW...
Books4Guys - William Burtch
YouTube video by Books4Guys
youtube.com
Wow! Just realized my book’s nearly 4 years old already!! Which doesn’t sound right because I’m pretty sure it only came out last year. Buy Deliver Thy Pigs, my earnest little novel about trees and Illinois and slaughterhouses so I can afford to send it to college!
Thrilled Otherwise Wretched is a February featured book at the amazing Books4Guys. Had a wonderful time taping their podcast which is out later this month!
Many thanks to @themilkhouse.bsky.social and @penofryandennis.bsky.social for the shoutout!
The Milk House@themilkhouse.bsky.social · 6mo agoCongratulations to @williamburtch.bsky.social on an excellent collection of rural short stories, titled #OtherwiseWretched. Available from Sunbury Press: www.sunburypress.com/collections/...
Much appreciated Aaron! Some truly wonderful reads here!
Aaron Burch@aaronburch.bsky.social · 8mo agodaily short story, cont'd... 1/5: "Wab and Splinter" by William Burtch 1/6: "Angelo" by Andrew Porter 1/7: "Fanno Creek" by Katherine Dunn 1/8: "Love Life" by Bobbie Ann Mason
”No one is penning lit fiction that speaks to thinking dudes anymore.” LOL
That conflicted yet still exciting sensation of seeing a copy of your book at Half Price Books.
Some collection ideas for celebrating National Short Day today. OK I slipped mine into the mix.
For the history lover on your list. A missing piece of Civil War truth and courage.
Today only 2026 book club is $40 off, and also today only we will send a free t-shirt with any order over $50, with the caveat that we’re down to 39 shirts. We will email to find out size/color preference. malarkeybooks.com/store/2026bo...
2026 Book Club — Malarkey
Buy a year’s worth of books and zines with the Malarkey Book Club. In 2026 you’ll get copies of: The Walls Are Closing In On Us , a novel by Joshua Trent Brown Terrestrial , a novella by Suzy...
malarkeybooks.com
Malarkey’s always doing great deals because they simply want you to read all their wonderful books.
Malarkey@malarkeybooks.bsky.social · 9mo agoToday only 2026 book club is $40 off, and also today only we will send a free t-shirt with any order over $50, with the caveat that we’re down to 39 shirts. We will email to find out size/color preference. malarkeybooks.com/store/2026bo...
Never my intention but it seems it’s guys who really dig this collection. Glad to be part of anything bringing dudes back to reading fiction and into bookstores tho.
Free holiday shipping from my publisher www.sunburypress.com! Pick up my debut collection Otherwise Wretched and many other great titles!
When you find your story collection beside Hanif Abdurraqib on the shelf it’s a good day. Thank you Blue Couch Bookshop!
Super honored for my debut collection Otherwise Wretched to be selected for the Grand Lake Literature Festival in March 2026 in Celina, OH. Hope to see you there!
Added My Ardent Love for the Pencil and @renbolger.bsky.social’s forthcoming (but copies now in our possession) novel The Barre Incidents to the t-shirt bundle. Barre won’t be signed but it is discounted in the bundle. malarkeybooks.com/store/twoboo...
Two Books and a T-Shirt — Malarkey
Use code POSTOFFICE to get free shipping. For $50 you get two books and a t-shirt. That’s $16.67 each with free shipping. We tried to price this bundle at $45 but we would have been clearing about $1 ...
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“…sterling, startling language…these are hard-hitting, reflective literary works.” - Midwest Book Review “…gruesomely saturnine and comic.” - Kirkus Reviews
Scanning through the B’s at Prologue Bookshop. Never gets old.
Only 5 days left for 20% off Otherwise Wretched direct from Sunbury Press using code HEMINGWAY Get some! www.sunburypress.com/products/oth...
Otherwise Wretched: Stories
The backdrops for these tales are sparse rural lands, from the Alleghenies to the deserts of the West. Farmers, gangsters, meth cookers, miners, cafe workers, lovers, and dreamers. And the animals tha...
sunburypress.com
Read my piece about trying to find Malört in Washington, DC, in @havehashad.com today!!! So thrilled and grateful to be included. www.havehashad.com/hadposts/her...
Her Jesus Year by Joey Hedger
She likes a themed party, so I am on Capitol Hill looking for a bottle of Malört from the only place in the city that sells it while she makes hotdogs and frozen deep dish she got at Safeway. She boug...
havehashad.com
Thank you Miamian for the shoutout for Otherwise Wretched!
New fiction in @mrbullbull.bsky.social today! I’ve been a fan of the journal for years, so it’s an honor to have a story here. Adlai the Last returns for a new gig—with a special guest?
MrBullBull@mrbullbull.bsky.social · last yr."Cal suggested that his children should meet a 'true American hero,' and maybe John Hinckley Jr. would gift them a guitar pick they could bring to show-and-tell." - Zachary Kocanda mrbullbull.com/newbull/fict...
Hey here’s a chance to save 20% the new collection OTHERWISE WRETCHED by buying direct from a great indie publisher using code HEMINGWAY. Many of these stories 1st appeared in favorites such as @gonelawn.bsky.social @mrbullbull.bsky.social and more. Checkout it out at www.sunburypress.com
@malarkeybooks.bsky.social looks out for its supporters! (And their books and journal are damn fine) Thank you!
Big congrats to the top award and finalists for the International Book Awards Short Story Category! Excited to be a finalist for Otherwise Wretched!
