An autistic man with the same knack for the macabre as celebrated writer Edgar Allan Poe is also sadly as cash-strapped as celebrated writer Edgar Allan Poe.

Naveed Azkhat, 39, loves to write dark stories and poems for the nerds and bisexuals who frequent his Substack, and has the permanently-disturbed appearance of a man who can’t stop thinking about death. Azkhat is flattered by comparisons to Poe, although he says he doesn’t like the implication that he will also be a broke freelancer for the rest of his days.

Azkhat said: “At least houses were cheaper in Edgar’s time. If he were around today he’d have to get a side job at All Bar One so he could scrape together rent, enabling him to live with five other ‘creatives’ who he secretly can’t stand. If that sounds weirdly specific, shut up.”

“Is it even possible to balance financial and artistic freedom so I can write and live the rest of my life in relative comfort?”

Quoth Azkhat’s accountant: “Nevermore.”


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