Dillon Picks October 2023

The Dillon Empire’s relentless monthly hunt for excellence on Medium.

Listen and understand: Simon Dillon is out there. He can’t be bargained with. He can’t be reasoned with. He doesn’t feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And he absolutely will not stop. Ever. Until your article is in Dillon Picks. (Photo by author.)

With my new mystery thriller novel out now (Death Nest, pick up a copy here), expansion on Substack, and various other conquests, it’s been a busy month for the Dillon Empire. That doesn’t mean the Imperial all-seeing eye has been idle. The remorseless vigilance of the Dillon Empire remains ever-alert, scouring the wilderness of Medium for diamonds among the coal.

Here then are this month’s hallowed herd of ten articles for your reading pleasure, selected after great scrutiny and handwringing. Those chosen may indulge in the regulation smugness, as Imperial approval is not easily obtained. For those who have not yet had this auspicious privilege, here is a reminder of the criteria: No usage of AI in writing. I’m also issuing a mandatory death sentence for any article using the word “content” in reference to books, short stories, poetry, plays, films, television programmes, or art in general. All Imperial subjects are expected to be vigilant in this matter and stand against the scourge of the C-word with extreme prejudice.

Prohibited subjects include earnings bragging, hustle porn, vacuous trend-chasing, we’re-all-doomed apocalypse porn, professionally offended blithering, sweeping statement clickbait, blanket tirades against entire…