When I was a teenager, I discovered the writings of Harlan Ellison. His unique storytelling style wove elements of fantasy together with mainstream fiction, creating narratives that felt alien and familiar at the same time. Though I later learned about his numerous problematic opinions, his ability to convey complex ideas with remarkable clarity set him apart from his peers.

Famously, Ellison wrote a story in public view over a week in the window of the renowned Los Angeles bookstore, A Change of Hobbit. People came by to watch him work at his typewriter (you do remember those, right?) as day turned into night and back into day.

Out of this experiment came a series of concise stories titled, From A To Z, in The Chocolate Alphabet. Some were strange, some funny, all imaginative. The Chocolate Alphabet, published as part of his collection, Strange Wine, remains shockingly clever and diverse.

After passing the bar exam and becoming an attorney, I often wondered whether there wasn’t a way to adapt Ellison’s creation to the world of bankruptcy. However, it wasn’t until I started blogging and creating content that my ideas crystallized into the page before you.

Initially an outgrowth of NaNoWriMo, an annual challenge with participants attempting to write a 50,000-word (approximately 175 pages) novel in November, the Bankruptcy Alphabet took shape.

The goal was to write a new article each day for 26 days, with each discussing a single bankruptcy-related topic. Then, using the alphabet theme, I’d be able to create informative articles that wouldn’t overwhelm my readers. Though I wouldn’t work from the window of a bookstore, the fruits of my labors would be on display for all to see.

Some were short posts, others far longer. Editing was minimal, allowing my personality to remain visible. The finished project, known as the bankruptcy alphabet, was a labor of professional love.

I’ve updated these articles as the law has evolved. I hope you find them useful and enjoyable.