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Signora Zenobia #1
How to Write a Blackwood Article
Let me introduce you to Signora Psyche Zenobia. Likely an adopted name of course, but for someone so flamboyant, appropriate.
The good signora has aspirations. She would like to be a writer. At present she is the corresponding secretary to an interesting group of notables in Philadelphia which goes by a lengthy name with the initials of P.R.E.T.T.Y.B.L.U.E.B.A.T.C.H.!
But how to get published? She travels to Edinburgh to meet with the esteemed proprietor and editor of Blackwood Magazine. A real publication of the 1830s. He proceeds to tell her about the kinds of articles that catch the attention of readers in Blackwood's.
Another humorous Poe short story. But is there more to it then that?
Librarian's note: there are two volumes in the Signora Zenobia series, 1. How to Write a Blackwood Article (1838), and 2. A Predicament (1838). Both have their own entries on GR.
The good signora has aspirations. She would like to be a writer. At present she is the corresponding secretary to an interesting group of notables in Philadelphia which goes by a lengthy name with the initials of P.R.E.T.T.Y.B.L.U.E.B.A.T.C.H.!
But how to get published? She travels to Edinburgh to meet with the esteemed proprietor and editor of Blackwood Magazine. A real publication of the 1830s. He proceeds to tell her about the kinds of articles that catch the attention of readers in Blackwood's.
Another humorous Poe short story. But is there more to it then that?
Librarian's note: there are two volumes in the Signora Zenobia series, 1. How to Write a Blackwood Article (1838), and 2. A Predicament (1838). Both have their own entries on GR.
26 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1838
5 people are currently reading
122 people want to read
About the author
Edgar Allan Poe
9,885 books28.6k followersThe name Poe brings to mind images of murderers and madmen, premature burials, and mysterious women who return from the dead. His works have been in print since 1827 and include such literary classics as The Tell-Tale Heart, The Raven, and The Fall of the House of Usher. This versatile writer’s oeuvre includes short stories, poetry, a novel, a textbook, a book of scientific theory, and hundreds of essays and book reviews. He is widely acknowledged as the inventor of the modern detective story and an innovator in the science fiction genre, but he made his living as America’s first great literary critic and theoretician. Poe’s reputation today rests primarily on his tales of terror as well as on his haunting lyric poetry.
Just as the bizarre characters in Poe’s stories have captured the public imagination so too has Poe himself. He is seen as a morbid, mysterious figure lurking in the shadows of moonlit cemeteries or crumbling castles. This is the Poe of legend. But much of what we know about Poe is wrong, the product of a biography written by one of his enemies in an attempt to defame the author’s name.
The real Poe was born to traveling actors in Boston on January 19, 1809. Edgar was the second of three children. His other brother William Henry Leonard Poe would also become a poet before his early death, and Poe’s sister Rosalie Poe would grow up to teach penmanship at a Richmond girls’ school. Within three years of Poe’s birth both of his parents had died, and he was taken in by the wealthy tobacco merchant John Allan and his wife Frances Valentine Allan in Richmond, Virginia while Poe’s siblings went to live with other families. Mr. Allan would rear Poe to be a businessman and a Virginia gentleman, but Poe had dreams of being a writer in emulation of his childhood hero the British poet Lord Byron. Early poetic verses found written in a young Poe’s handwriting on the backs of Allan’s ledger sheets reveal how little interest Poe had in the tobacco business.
For more information, please see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edgar_al...
Just as the bizarre characters in Poe’s stories have captured the public imagination so too has Poe himself. He is seen as a morbid, mysterious figure lurking in the shadows of moonlit cemeteries or crumbling castles. This is the Poe of legend. But much of what we know about Poe is wrong, the product of a biography written by one of his enemies in an attempt to defame the author’s name.
The real Poe was born to traveling actors in Boston on January 19, 1809. Edgar was the second of three children. His other brother William Henry Leonard Poe would also become a poet before his early death, and Poe’s sister Rosalie Poe would grow up to teach penmanship at a Richmond girls’ school. Within three years of Poe’s birth both of his parents had died, and he was taken in by the wealthy tobacco merchant John Allan and his wife Frances Valentine Allan in Richmond, Virginia while Poe’s siblings went to live with other families. Mr. Allan would rear Poe to be a businessman and a Virginia gentleman, but Poe had dreams of being a writer in emulation of his childhood hero the British poet Lord Byron. Early poetic verses found written in a young Poe’s handwriting on the backs of Allan’s ledger sheets reveal how little interest Poe had in the tobacco business.
For more information, please see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edgar_al...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
December 15, 2021
So blah and not funny or witty at all. Poe’s humor stories are not for me...BUT I made a commitment to myself to read his entire works this year and I’m persevering on.
November 12, 2020
This story is from Poe’s Theatre of The Absurd thinking.
December 28, 2025
Relato surrealista de Poe en el que nos cuenta la realidad del periodismo (nos encontramos en Edimburgo, aunque opino que su punto de vista es, más bien, genérico) a través de los ojos de una señora que quiere escribir artículos en la revista "Blackwood", la más famosa y vendida del momento.
En una entrevista con el director, nos relata la manera de llegar a redactora de la revista y ahí es cuando Poe desarrolla todo el sarcasmo que tiene dentro.
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A surreal story by Poe in which he tells us about the reality of journalism (we are in Edinburgh, although I think his point of view is rather generic) through the eyes of a woman who wants to write articles for Blackwood's Magazine, the most famous and best-selling magazine of the time.
In an interview with the editor, she tells us how to become an editor for the magazine, and that is when Poe unleashes all his inner sarcasm.
En una entrevista con el director, nos relata la manera de llegar a redactora de la revista y ahí es cuando Poe desarrolla todo el sarcasmo que tiene dentro.
---------------------------
A surreal story by Poe in which he tells us about the reality of journalism (we are in Edinburgh, although I think his point of view is rather generic) through the eyes of a woman who wants to write articles for Blackwood's Magazine, the most famous and best-selling magazine of the time.
In an interview with the editor, she tells us how to become an editor for the magazine, and that is when Poe unleashes all his inner sarcasm.
March 5, 2018
Some of this made me laugh with sudden vivid images, but most of it went over my head. I had the sense he wrote this for literary intellectuals, an inside joke.
December 28, 2025
4 Stars. Fascinating. A short story with two levels. The most obvious? 1830s-style humour. The original came out in 1838. Lost. This appeared in an 1840s collection published while Poe was alive. It features a self-centred and knuckle-headed woman with the pretentious name of Signora Psyche Zenobia. She presumes everybody has heard of her; that she once was Suky Snobbs is meaningless to her. She wants to write in the style of Blackwood's - a real Scottish magazine which ran from 1817 to 1980; it had articles with human emotion - fear, horror, and death. Psyche travels to consult with Blackwood. The second level is deeper. Through the words of the Scot, Poe seems to be describing his own approach to writing. Blackwood mentions a story he published, The Dead Alive, which, with a few differences, is The Cask of Amontillado. One of Poe's greats. About being entombed alive. Horrific. Unforgettable. We also hear recommendations to add quotations from other languages, something Poe does aggravatingly often. Poe's humour is wry and cumulative; by the end of the eight pages you shake your head. And smile. (Fe2023/De2025)
October 15, 2020
3 Stars
This is a Poe short story written in the form of a mock essay and is considered by many academics and critics to be one of Poe's best comic writings. A mock essay follows the style and form of an academic essay including quoting and citing sources. However, the logic that is used to solve the problem is absurd, illogical and humorous All resources used in the story are made up figments of the author's imagination. Poe had a very dry sense of humor and in this story he uses his own writing style in composing horror stories called "intensities" in the story to parody. This story was a companion piece to A Predicament which also included the character Psyche Zenobia. In order to appreciate the ludicrous instructions given of how to write an intensities article by Mr. Blackwood to Psyche Zenobia in this prelude story one should read the companion story A Predicament forthwith to truly appreciate the absurd nature of the story. IMHO this is really a "to be continued" article for it to hold the humor of the story, one not to be read on its own merit singularly unless a double entendre spoof to be given to fellow magazine writers.
This is a Poe short story written in the form of a mock essay and is considered by many academics and critics to be one of Poe's best comic writings. A mock essay follows the style and form of an academic essay including quoting and citing sources. However, the logic that is used to solve the problem is absurd, illogical and humorous All resources used in the story are made up figments of the author's imagination. Poe had a very dry sense of humor and in this story he uses his own writing style in composing horror stories called "intensities" in the story to parody. This story was a companion piece to A Predicament which also included the character Psyche Zenobia. In order to appreciate the ludicrous instructions given of how to write an intensities article by Mr. Blackwood to Psyche Zenobia in this prelude story one should read the companion story A Predicament forthwith to truly appreciate the absurd nature of the story. IMHO this is really a "to be continued" article for it to hold the humor of the story, one not to be read on its own merit singularly unless a double entendre spoof to be given to fellow magazine writers.
September 3, 2018
"Dr. M. says I ought to spell 'cant' with a capital K-but I know better."
Ha ha. Edgar Allan Poe was a weird guy. I certainly enjoy his horror more than his humor, but this comedy wasn't that bad. The first part was pretty difficult but then he started to reference common sayings like "blood out of a turnip" and "bread and butter," as well as mentioning philosophers like Kant and Locke; these types of things can sometimes hold my attention no matter how poorly I understand the context. He went on to reference some of his own works, which I suppose was kind of a dark-humor, although I didn't find it funny at all. It's certainly original, just a bunch of crazy, off-the-wall rules for writing. If I can't get anything else out of a Poe short-story, I can at least appreciate how well he writes. I like to think about it as going back in time and stepping inside his brain. What kind of craziness is going on inside that skull? Well, he just kind of randomly puts these thoughts down on paper in a beautiful way. Random weirdness for Halloween season!
Ha ha. Edgar Allan Poe was a weird guy. I certainly enjoy his horror more than his humor, but this comedy wasn't that bad. The first part was pretty difficult but then he started to reference common sayings like "blood out of a turnip" and "bread and butter," as well as mentioning philosophers like Kant and Locke; these types of things can sometimes hold my attention no matter how poorly I understand the context. He went on to reference some of his own works, which I suppose was kind of a dark-humor, although I didn't find it funny at all. It's certainly original, just a bunch of crazy, off-the-wall rules for writing. If I can't get anything else out of a Poe short-story, I can at least appreciate how well he writes. I like to think about it as going back in time and stepping inside his brain. What kind of craziness is going on inside that skull? Well, he just kind of randomly puts these thoughts down on paper in a beautiful way. Random weirdness for Halloween season!
May 27, 2018
So far, I don't like it when Poe tries to be funny; maybe he was in the 19th century intellectual circles but it now feels so outdated.
May 11, 2013
Unlike a lot of people, I actually sort of liked it. Like when Zenobia is advised to write with a crap pen because "when manuscript can be read it is never worth reading" and to use innuendo (for bread and butter- 'You may hint at buck-wheat cake, or you may even go so far as to insinuate oat-meal porridge'), well it wasn't all that bad!
June 10, 2016
Тук отново наднича онзи странен, хумористичен По. Много интересно преживяване. Самият образ на госпожа Психея Зенобия е много откачен... в един по-веел смисъл на думата. В същото време наистина има доста полезни неща за научаване от тези няколко странички, що се отнася до писането...
А следва да видим в продължението как госпожа Зенобия (която НЕ е Сюки Снобс, да си знаете!) ще приложи наученото xD Вече съм на първите страници на "Опасно положение", което е нещо като продължение на "приключенията" на госпожата... и съм готова да се кръстя от потрес на глупостите й xD.
А следва да видим в продължението как госпожа Зенобия (която НЕ е Сюки Снобс, да си знаете!) ще приложи наученото xD Вече съм на първите страници на "Опасно положение", което е нещо като продължение на "приключенията" на госпожата... и съм готова да се кръстя от потрес на глупостите й xD.
September 1, 2016
¡Ese si es un verdadero artículo a lo Blackwood!
October 21, 2012
I am not such a fan of Poe when he is being humorous. In this story we listen to a newspaper editor telling his columnist to do something fantastical, like trying to kill herself, and write about her impressions.
August 25, 2019
I have arranged my takeaway thoughts into a haiku:
"No matter their gifts,
There's never been a writer
A teacher couldn't ruin."
"No matter their gifts,
There's never been a writer
A teacher couldn't ruin."
January 25, 2021
Comedic short story. Absurd and amusing.
November 7, 2023
personally not for me however poe did give me the line “truth is strange, you know, stranger than fiction” so i guess i can give it another star just for that
September 22, 2024
Muy divertido y una crítica muy dura y graciosa al periodismo basura que siglos después sigue siendo real.
December 19, 2025
Got to love some satrical writing on pretentious journalism.
February 13, 2022
This story represents everything I hate about Poe. I’m not sure if is making fun of me (the reader), if himself (the writer), or of the newspapers that published his articles, but I hated it either way, mostly because how it reminds of Poe at his worst. This is the story of Zenobia, a female writer trying to get published in the Blackwood newspaper. Mr. Blackwood tells her the best way to get published is to write about some painful experience. The more excruciating the better. Perhaps if Zenobia hangs herself she can write a fantastic article on asphyxiation feels. Mr. Blackwood continues to speak on ‘erudition.’ In other words, how to make yourself seem like a smart writer. After all, he says, ‘When a manuscript can be read it is never worth reading.’ Quote all the ancient philosophers. So throw in some Latin! Throw in Greek! Throw in Spanish and French. It will make you seem intelligent.’ The more recherche (obscure) your choice of words, the better! And even if the reader does understand the words, he won’t understand the meaning!
Like I said, this personifies Poe at his worst. I’m not sure who he was making fun of, but it describes his writing style to a T. Sure, he uses flowery language and it sounds good once you figure it out, but you still need a Rosetta Stone to understand half of it. And this is coming from someone who is fluent in Greek and passable in Spanish. So good job Poe. You got me. I have committed the ‘ignoratio elenchi’. I get the words, but not the meaning.
Edit:
I haves updated this to two stars (from one) after reading it with its companion piece, ‘A predicament: The Scythe of Time,’ as many of the writing styles and ideas in this story are utilized to a comical effect in that story. In the sequel, Zenobia writes an article about how she humorously gets decaptitated while in a bell tower. She shows a misunderstanding of the Latin and Greek phrases Mr. Blackwood told her to use, which is silly. I would not have caught that joke had I not just read the previous story. I give the second half of the story a three, once the pieces are all tied together, so they average out to two beefsteaks out of five.
Like I said, this personifies Poe at his worst. I’m not sure who he was making fun of, but it describes his writing style to a T. Sure, he uses flowery language and it sounds good once you figure it out, but you still need a Rosetta Stone to understand half of it. And this is coming from someone who is fluent in Greek and passable in Spanish. So good job Poe. You got me. I have committed the ‘ignoratio elenchi’. I get the words, but not the meaning.
Edit:
I haves updated this to two stars (from one) after reading it with its companion piece, ‘A predicament: The Scythe of Time,’ as many of the writing styles and ideas in this story are utilized to a comical effect in that story. In the sequel, Zenobia writes an article about how she humorously gets decaptitated while in a bell tower. She shows a misunderstanding of the Latin and Greek phrases Mr. Blackwood told her to use, which is silly. I would not have caught that joke had I not just read the previous story. I give the second half of the story a three, once the pieces are all tied together, so they average out to two beefsteaks out of five.
November 16, 2025
As silly as Poe’s literary comedies are, I did find myself laughing at this a fair bit.
Ludicrous pretension and flowery writing striped bare. Self depreciating to the last.
Such a fun little short.
Ludicrous pretension and flowery writing striped bare. Self depreciating to the last.
Such a fun little short.
December 29, 2024
How to write a Blackwood article finds us seeing Poe giving the main character roll to a lady. Her name is Signora Psyche Zenobia. While I like to think that Poe cast himself in the roll of Mr. Blackwood, a successful writer who gives the young Zenobia the necessary skills to write a literary work that would rival his own. The story ends with her departure and a brief search ensues with the tone of her very own Blackwood article. I personally was hoping the young lady would kill the old man in some horrific way and put to an end the endless dialog between writer and student unfortunately Poe didn't take that path and once again (to me at least) the story falls flat.
October 3, 2025
Meh.
Not worth reviewing.
For the moment at least.
It’s public domain. You can find it HERE.
-----------------------------------------------
PERSONAL NOTE :
[1838] [26p] [Horror] [1.5] [Not Recommendable]
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Meh.
No vale la pena reseñarlo.
Al menos por ahora.
Es dominio público, lo pueden encontrar ACA.
-----------------------------------------------
NOTA PERSONAL :
[1838] [26p] [Horror] [1.5] [No Recomendable]
-----------------------------------------------
Not worth reviewing.
For the moment at least.
It’s public domain. You can find it HERE.
-----------------------------------------------
PERSONAL NOTE :
[1838] [26p] [Horror] [1.5] [Not Recommendable]
-----------------------------------------------
Meh.
No vale la pena reseñarlo.
Al menos por ahora.
Es dominio público, lo pueden encontrar ACA.
-----------------------------------------------
NOTA PERSONAL :
[1838] [26p] [Horror] [1.5] [No Recomendable]
-----------------------------------------------
May 30, 2018
I get that it's satire and that Poe is mocking sensationalist articles, I just genuinely didn't care for it. It's one of the only short stories that I didn't even highlight any quotes that stood out to me. I suppose some people might enjoy this over-the-top writing, but I don't really care for it. I dislike it even more after reading a continuation of Zenobia's story in A Predicament which I found wildly disturbing.
October 9, 2020
Con sorna y mucha acidez, que era sus principales características cuando desarrollaba su función de crítico, Poe se mofa del Blackwood, una de las revistas literarias de moda en su época.
Inventando nombres, enseña cómo escribir un artículo y salir triunfante y de paso, reirse de sus detractores y enemigos.
Inventando nombres, enseña cómo escribir un artículo y salir triunfante y de paso, reirse de sus detractores y enemigos.
May 19, 2011
A typical Poe failure at humor, this short story sarcastically skewers sensationalized writing by inviting the would-be writer to let themselves be killed in the most bizarre manor possible while recording the experience for posterity. Note: the alliteration was purely unintentional
May 3, 2020
At first I felt like I didn’t get his references and considering people found this to be a comedy, I now know for a fact I didn’t. There are a lot of Poe stories and poems I love, but this wasn’t one of them.
March 18, 2023
This one is a tad funnier and more clever send up of literary magazines than the previous tale of Mr. Thingum Bob. it must be read with the tale that is the article here prompted, "A Predicament" or "The Scythe of Time."
April 17, 2021
HOW TO WRITE A BLACKWOOD ARTICLE
Dark and biting satire about a (I presume) a dodgy newspaper or magazine of dubious credibility. (2 stars)
Dark and biting satire about a (I presume) a dodgy newspaper or magazine of dubious credibility. (2 stars)
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May 11, 2022Watch the livestream discussion
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December 18, 2024
Definitely a solid book 1, ready to get into the second asapppp
October 3, 2025
I thought this was great. Fuck outta here with all those 1 star reviews.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews