I know the story of Phone Home, Persephone! by heart, so I wrote it myself, without the help of any ghostwriters. When I finished, I asked Tisi, Meg, and Alec to give it a read. This might surprise you, but the Furies are big readers. Tisi loves long historical novels. Meg is fond of romances, while Alec prefers nonfiction. And a writer always likes to get a little feedback before a book goes to press.

I was sitting beside the Pool of Lethe one afternoon, thinking and thumbing through The Big Fat Book of Greek Myths, when I saw the trio of winged avengers heading my way. Tisi was carrying my manuscript.

The Furies sat down beside me.

“So,” I asked, “what did you think of my story?”

“It’s a fine story, Hades,” said Tisi.

“So romantic!” said Meg.

“Excellent!” said Alec.

I smiled. This was exactly the kind of feedback I’d been looking for.

“But,” said Tisi.

“But what?” I said.

“You didn’t finish the story, Hades,” said Tisi.

“You didn’t write about the wedding,” said Meg.

“Not a word!” said Alec.

“You didn’t tell how Uncle Shiner was your best man,” said Tisi.

“Or how Cerberus whimpered through the whole ceremony,” said Meg.

“Or how Demeter didn’t even shed a single tear,” said Alec.

“Hmmm,” I said without much enthusiasm. “Well, I guess I could try to write one more chapter.”

“Good idea, Hades,” said Tisi. “Then you can tell how old Ari dropped dead and how I arranged for his ghost to marry you and Persephone.”

“And how Shades of Purple played at the reception,” said Meg.

“And how we danced for hours!” said Alec.

I sighed happily, remembering.

“Quite a few romances sprang up that night,” I added. “I thought my little brother Po might be the next to marry, the way he danced all night with Medusa.”

“I think Medusa really liked him, too, Hades,” said Tisi. “Poor Medusa. It’s so terrible what happened to her.”

Meg sighed. “I wish she’d never met Perseus.”

“Then he never would have whacked off her head!” said Alec.

I stared at the Furies in surprise. “Who told you that?”

Alec shrugged. “We read it in some book!”

“I’ll bet it was this one,” I said, waving my copy of The Big Fat Book of Greek Myths. I started reading:

“That’s what happened, Hades,” said Tisi.

I slammed the book shut. “It’s a big fat lie! It’s what my myth-o-maniac brother Zeus wants everyone to think. But there’s more to Medusa’s story than that. Much more!”

“What, Hades?” said Tisi.

“Tell us!” said Meg.

“Tell us now!” said Alec.

“It’s too long to tell,” I said. “But I could write the story. In fact, I could make it my next book.” I thought for a moment. “I think I’ll call it Say Cheese, Medusa!”

“Great title, Hades,” said Tisi.

“But . . .” I said.

“But what?” said Meg.

“But first I have to write that extra chapter,” I said. “You know, the one about the wedding.”

“Skip it, Hades,” said Tisi.

“Write about Medusa,” said Meg.

“Write about her now!” said Alec.

And so I did.