S.L. Harris read by Michael J. DeLuca, produced by Aaron Kling
Michael: Welcome back to the Reckoning Press Podcast! I’m Michael J. DeLuca, publisher of Reckoning and erstwhile podcast host, back to introduce a story I’ve had the privilege to narrate for you, “The Pelican in its Piety” by S.L. Harris, which appeared in Reckoning 9. This recording was produced by Reckoning‘s audio editor, Aaron Kling, who’ll be back hosting for the next episode.
This story is a particularly important one for me in the way it addresses the ethical impacts of certain patterns of authority in American Christianity and Catholicism in particular, which were instrumental in making me into the environmental justice activist I am. I read it and feel seen. Maybe you will too?
I should prepare you: this piece leans further into the horrific than most Reckoning fare. Kids and animals in jeopardy.
I hope you get as much out of it as I did.
The Pelican in its Piety
Author: S.L. Harris
S. L. Harris is a writer, educator, and sometime archaeologist who can often be found digging in gardens, libraries, tea cabinets, and ancient houses. Originally from West Virginia, he currently lives in the Midwest with his wife, two children, and many books.
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Author: Michael J. DeLuca
Publisher
Michael J. DeLuca’s short fiction has been appearing since 2005 in markets such as Beneath Ceaseless Skies, Mythic Delirium and Apex. His novella Night Roll was a finalist for the Crawford Award in 2020, and his debut novel The Jaguar Mask came out from Stelliform Press in August, 2024. He lives in the rapidly suburbifying post-industrial woodlands north of Detroit with wife, kid, cats, plants and microbes. For more, try his website: The Mossy Skull.
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Author: Aaron Kling
Audio Editor
Aaron Kling is a podcaster, fiction writer, and voice talent working out of the Midwest. He enjoys obsessing over worldbuilding, running tabletop campaigns, and talking to his partner, his friends, and himself.
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