Magic is real.

Allison Merriweather is an investigative journalist and expert magician, working for the news site Sniphunt, and she is being punished. Why else would she be assigned to cover the North American Biannual Short Story Writing Competition?

It may be the biggest sporting event of the year, but it’s not her beat. With nothing to investigate, it’s all color commentary and jockeying to interview famous authors.

Her fellow reporters are glaring daggers at her over the assignment. It must be punishment.

Then things start to happen, famous authors start losing hard, and Allison starts to wonder if her editor is psychic. And precognition isn’t even a thing.

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Genre . . .
Urban Fantasy Mystery with Comedic and Satirical Overtones

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Themes . . .
Authenticity vs. Deception
Unearned Privilege and Entitlement
The Ethics and Practice of Magic
Friendship, Loyalty, and Personal Accountability

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Setting . . .
Merriweather’s Guide to the English Language takes place in a contemporary, unnamed American city that seamlessly integrates magic into everyday life, complete with licensing boards, insurance premiums, and public records. The world blends the mundane realities of city life and professional struggles with the fantastical elements of magic.

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Story . . .
Magically inclined investigative journalist Allison Merriweather investigates a conspiracy of cheating and blackmail at a prestigious writing competition. Aided by her best friend, Shelly, and harassed by the enigmatic fixer Cinderblock, Allison must navigate professional rivalries, personal ethics, and a web of deceit spun by the “Little Fiend in the Night” to expose the truth, even if it means confronting powerful figures and her own creative demons.

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Tease . . .
 “He tracked me,” Allison said, muttering, all but growling, as if arguing with herself. “He couldn’t have tracked me, but I was supposed to be there.”

“What are you going on about?” Shelly asked.

“Why would he be looking for me?” said as if Shelly hadn’t spoken. “What did he hope to accomplish?”

“I swear I have no idea.” Shelly squinted at the monitor as if it was one of those 3D puzzles. “Are we looking at the same thing?”

“He wanted me to see.” Allison gripped the railing hard, pressing down with both hands. “React, make a scene.”

“You are making a scene.”