Most copywriters say they're "also a writer." Most copywriters lie. Here's what's actually on my desk.
Novels in progress
Heir of Black
Historical horror set in 14th-century France. A 14-year-old foundling named Matthias carries the Black Death from a Flemish trade port to the papal court at Avignon, with the help of someone — or something — that wants the plague to arrive. Twenty-nine chapters, ~250 pages, third-person limited. Currently drafting Chapters 1–2 by hand, transcribing into Google Docs as I go.
The Big Book of Bad Bards
An epic poem collection in four voices. Four magically-gifted brothers — Flannery, Cornelius, Thaddeus ("Chuck"), and Montgomery ("Monty") — who are catastrophically bad at being bards. Each brother gets his own book. The plan is for the books to talk to each other.
Tomas Van Whipple
An absurdist mystery novella, ~10,000 words. The kind of thing you'd hand someone for a long flight.
Magazine work
Chronically Online Magazine
Contributing writer at COM since 2025. Longform gonzo journalism — internet-native subject matter, Hunter S. Thompson voice, the kind of feature writing that started in Rolling Stone in the 70s and now lives in the corners of the web that haven't been optimized to death.
Earlier
The Devil Went Down to the Bayou
~250-page Southern Gothic thriller. Completed. Sitting in a drawer. Probably staying there.
Suburban Gothic poetry collection
An ongoing project. A cul-de-sac surrounded by swamp, a self-appointed government, a full cast of archetypes. Not yet collected into a book.
Want to talk about any of this? dustin@doolingcreative.com