I'm ready to fall on my sword... well, pencil

Blazing Reader,

Today at 8 pm Netherlands time (2 pm in New York/Toronto), Jordan Henderson and I will be unveiling the Kirkus Review's review of Much Ado About Corona. 

In preparation, I'm sharpening my pencil. Why? If the review is negative, I would want to do the honourable thing... and fall on my sword. Except I'm a Canadian writer, not a Roman soldier, so I'd fall on my pencil.

You know the old saying, "The pen is mightier than the sword."

Well, a pencil is far sharper.

I'd even heard that some Hollywood action hero (psychopath) named John Wick kills people with pencils. (I just looked him up on YouTube. I wish I hadn't.)

My preference for the pencil over the pen has never been for combat purposes, but rather a matter of posture: I prefer writing standing up (like Ernest Hemingway). I wrote the first draft of Much Ado About Corona on sheets of paper taped to a closet door. Ink doesn't flow well while standing, so I relied on graphite:

Fortunately, unlike a Publisher's Weekly review, Kirkus Reviews doesn't critique the cover art. Otherwise, Jordan, the novel's illustrator, might also have to fall on his paintbrush (though I can't imagine them finding fault with his cover art).

Honestly, whichever way the Kirkus Reviews goes, I'll be fine. No falling on any sharp objects. But, my curiosity is building as to how this rather politically correct (judging by their other reviews) magazine sees my dissident novel which challenged the humanity and morality of the COVID-19 measures.

Find out today, at The Kirkus Reckoning...

Jordan and I will unveil an advance copy of the Kirkus Reviews, and review the review together... and you're invited to join us.

When: Today! Saturday, January 24, 2026 @ 11 am PST / 2 pm EST / 8pm CET

Where: YouTube livestream: https://www.youtube.com/live/IkktYDPD60g 

See you then with my pencil nicely sharpened.

—John C.A. Manley

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John C. A. Manley is the author of Much Ado About Corona, All The Humans Are Sleeping and other works of philosophical fiction that are "so completely engaging that you find yourself alternately laughing, gasping, hanging on for dear life." Get free samples of his stories by becoming a Blazing Pine Cone email subscriber.