Category: Writing

ReaderCon33 Experiences (Part 1): Memorable Moments, Moderating Panels, and Networking

A lot happened at ReaderCon33 this year. Okay, yes, a lot always happens at ReaderCon (read about some of my other experiences here), but specifically a lot happened for me at ReaderCon this year. So much so that I want to make sure I write about it here so I don’t forget it all (I have the memory of a fruit fly). This is the first of a two part ReaderCon wrap-up. There’s that much for me to talk about. [ReaderCon33 Experiences]

Attending as an Official Participant [SFF Community, Writing Conferences]

ReaderCon33 is the first one I attended as an actual program participant. Last year, I volunteered and had a blast doing so. If you’re looking for a great way to meet new people and make connections all while feeling good about giving back and helping the convention continue to thrive, I strongly recommend volunteering. I did end up on a panel last year, but that wasn’t planned. Someone who was supposed to be on a panel about writing during the pandemic got sick at the last minute (ironic, right?). A good writing friend of mine, Anatoly Belalovsky, who was also on that panel suggested I step in and fill the empty spot. The ReaderCon folks decided that would work, and it did. I mean, I assume it worked out because when I applied to participate in this year’s Con in a more official capacity, they approved my application and put me on four panels. And approved me for a solo reading slot (more on that later).

So, yeah, fame comes in all shapes and sizes. This is my little moment of “oh my gosh, I’ve made it! I was a program participant at ReaderCon! My name was on their list and everything. Squeeee!! P.S. The SFF community is pretty small, so it truly is silly for me to feel so stupidly excited about all this, but I’m a low key hedonist, so I find pleasure wherever I can, including in the small things. [ReaderCon33 Experiences]

From Volunteer to Program Participant [Moderating Panels, Networking at Conventions, Writing Events]. Readercon33 Experiences

Like I said, I was on four panels this year. For three of them, they put me on as the moderator. Which is fine by me. That’s basically what I do all day everyday as a teacher. I moderate rowdy hoards of teenagers in a classroom full of glassware and biohazardous materials. Pshaw, I got this.

Thanks to my role as moderator, the fun started weeks before the convention. Teacher that I am, I like to plan ahead. I reached out via email to all the other panelists for all three panels I was slated to moderate. I introduced myself, encouraged them to do the same via email, and then solicited ideas on what everyone wanted to talk about during the actual convention. This, I will admit, felt like basic due diligence on my part. However, multiple folks from all three panels made a point to thank me for being proactive and said I was the only moderator to do so. That’s not to say that no other panel moderators contacted their panelists ahead of time. I’m sure many did. Just not the moderators of the other panels my people were on.

The pre-con preparations paid off, too, because by the time we actually sat down together in person, we all had a working rapport established and were primed to talk shop on all the various cool topics. Who were those folks and what were those cool topics? Glad you asked. [R

eaderCon33 Experiences]

My ReaderCon33 Schedule [Moderating Panels, Networking at Conventions, Writing Events] Readercon33 Experiences

Starting at 12:00PM on Friday, I moderated the panel, “What Separates Adult and YA SFF” which meant I got to toss questions to authors LJ Cohen, Mark Painter, Melissa Caruso, and Sarena Straus for forty-five minutes and listen to them share their thoughts.

Both SFF sold as adult and as YA may contain protagonists who are teens or young adults, as well as sex, drugs, and violence. What, then, puts a story in one category or the other? Panelists will examine what tropes, themes, sensibilities, pacing, and narrative voices may genuinely distinguish the categories.

Then, at 5:00PM, I moderated my second panel, “Writing For, With, About, and Around Children.” This was a truly excellent panel. Not only was the topic itself interesting, but so too were the panelists (authors Caitlin Rozakis, Carlos Hernandez, Noah Beit-Aharon, and Rob Cameron)!

Many authors have to navigate their writing careers around the needs of their offspring, not least those who write books for children. How does parenting inform or transform one’s writing, and how does writing inform or transform one’s parenting? Do parents create more believable child characters? Do readers even want realistically depicted children? And what of the parents? How realistically do we dare depict ourselves?

Later that evening, at 9:00PM, I moderated the panel: “Mad Science Q & A,” which was… interesting. The description of the panel left me slightly confused, so I reached out to the ReaderCon33 folks to ask what the format and feel of the panel would be like. They told me to expect a bunch of SFF writers to pepper the panelists with science-related brainstorming questions. It sounded like I would be calling on audience members when they raised their hands to ask questions about something science-y. As a teacher, I felt pretty confident I could handle that.

The panel ran pretty much the way I expected, except that all of the panelists (including myself) had backgrounds in biological sciences. Arula Ratnakar is a writer pursuing a PhD in Computational Neuroscience. Amanda Downum is a writer with a degree in Mortuary Science. Author Allen Dyen-Shapiro has a PhD in Biochemistry, and I’m the schlep who teaches biology to high schoolers. So, of course, nearly all the questions were about time travel and quantum entanglement. Ugh. What do four folks who know all about biological systems know that can possibly let them answer the question, “Do you think time travel is possible” in any kind of satisfying way? Spoiler alert: No, time travel is not possible. Someone did ask about whether or not the idea of transferring memories from one brain to another was plausible. That, we were able to talk about at length. Especially Arula. Thank Thor for Arula!

Have a notion for a futuristic technology and want to run it by some experts? A chimerical monster whose biology requires further scientific study? Need to know how long it takes a body to decompose in an abandoned mineshaft, for… um… reasons? Ask our panel of ~~mad~~ scientists your burning questions and see what they think ~~through the little windows in their skulls~~. Answers may be unexpectedly thoughtful or incredibly unreliable—you will have to judge that for yourself. They called us mad, MAD to do this panel! [ReaderCon33 Experiences]

Meet the Pros(e) Social Hour [Moderating Panels, Networking at Conventions, Writing Events] Readercon33 Experiences

This photo is from a previous “Meet the Pros(e)” event that didn’t involve teeny tiny tables.

My final panel of Friday night wasn’t so much a panel as a professional gathering styled like a speed dating event. At 10:15PM authors and editors sat around teeny tiny (way too teeny tiny) tables with non-authors and editors and chatted about whatever. Every 15 minutes, we rotated to a new, randomly assigned table and repeated the process until 11:00PM. It was loud, crowded, and kind of awkward, but also fun. And I got to sit for fifteen minutes with author P. Djélí Clark, whose writing is amazing! If you haven’t read anything by him, you’re truly missing out. Turns out, he’s also a pretty amazing human as well as an amazing author.

I also got to chat for fifteen minutes with the award winning horror editor Ellen Datlow, who has edited some of the best horror anthologies out there, Screams from the Dark being the most recent that I’ve read. Okay, truth? Ellen is one of those people around whom I freeze up and get fanishly awkward. I have a huge (non-romantic) crush on her. She knows her shit, takes no shit, gives no fucks, and totally owns whatever space she’s in. She’s absolutely incredible. Sorry for the swearing, but Ellen Datlow deserves heaps and heaps of profane praise.

I’m going to end this Part 1 post here. In my part 2 post, I tell the story of my Sunday solo reading experience (my first in person live reading at a convention and holy wow was I nervous!), and I’ll tell you about all the awesome folks I met and chatted with. I also need to record the many packing errors I made but didn’t discover until I got to the hotel and checked in for posterity sake. [ReaderCon33 Experiences]

Do you have a favorite con that you like to attend regularly? Tell me about it. What makes it great for you? [ReaderCon33 Experiences]

Thanks for stopping by, and as always, happy writing! [ReaderCon33 Experiences]

July 16, 2024
Creative Writing and Hustle Culture is a Toxic Mix

Hustle culture is awful. It’s not a unique thought, obviously. And it’s not a problem unique to the writing/publishing world. If you’re a creative writer, though, you know what I’m talking about. It’s so toxic. I hate it. I’m sure you do, too. Trouble is, hustle culture is hard to resist!

A few days ago, a fellow short fiction author posted in the Codex Writers forums about how worn down she is by the grind of the short fiction world and how she’s feeling ready to just… stop? Like, she still wants to write stuff for herself, but she’s ready to quit pursuing publishing. Why? Because the publishing industry as a whole is So. Damned. Toxic. Not to mention unsustainable. The ratio of rejections to acceptances is appallingly high. Which isn’t a new thing but yeah. It sucks.

A bunch of people responded to her forum post with comments about feeling equally burned out. My heart ached for her (and for all the authors who commented about being in the same place she is). She’s an incredible writer and an incredible person. The thread filled up with offers of love and virtual hugs and general support. I didn’t leave a comment. I didn’t feel like I had anything to offer that would change her situation or make her feel authentically better. And also, I don’t think I’m struggling with things in quite the same way she seems to be.

I enjoy writing short stories, but trying to get them published is definitely a grind. And, oh my goodness folks, the hustle culture is ridiculous!

Recently, I read a post by author Chuck Wendig that was supposed to be funny but left me feeling a little sick. Basically, he described the sisyphean nature of the writing/publishing world’s hustle culture without actually naming it. The post was supposed to be funny, sort of, but I felt sad after reading it. Wendig’s musings highlighted the (unhappily) accepted norms of the industry, but the thesis of his post seemed to be, “This is absolutely awful and horrible but there’s no viable alternatives so we authors just need to accept it or else we’ll fail and starve.” I mean, he wasn’t actively promoting hustle culture. But he also wasn’t rejecting it. He was just complaining about it while simultaneously engaging in it.

Stuff like this is toxic. It seems motivational but really it promotes hustle culture and might as well read: 10 Steps to Burn Out Quick and Feel Like a Failure.

At Boskone last year (or maybe it was the year before), I listened to a panel discussion about this exact issue. One of the panelists was veteran short story author and novelist John Langen, who shared that he still gets upwards of a hundred rejections each year. He also gets solicitations to contribute to anthologies, and invitations to collaborate with greats like Paul Tremblay, which likely serves as a nice buffer to all those rejection letters. While on the Boskone panel, he advised new writers to just keep submitting stories. Just acknowledge that rejection is part of the process. In that moment, I felt seen and affirmed. I nodded my head in agreement. Yes, yes! It’s not just me getting 40+ rejections for every 1 acceptance. It’s not just new authors. It’s all of us, even the established folks. That makes it okay. But… maybe not?

Just because creative writers, new and established, are all in the same boat together doesn’t mean the boat isn’t a genuinely toxic place to be. I mean, if I were on a cruise ship plagued with norovirus and there happened to be a few celebrities on board whom I admired, their presence wouldn’t lessen the awfulness of puking my guts out. I wouldn’t be like, “I feel like I’m dying but it’s okay because So-and-So Big Name is going through this, too, and they say this is just how cruising is.” Nope. I’d be like, “This experience is terrible and I can’t wait for it to be over and I’m never doing it again.”

Maybe Langen’s argument that we should all just suck it up and go with the flow doesn’t make sense. Not like it used to, anyway. You know, once upon a time back in the days of actual typewriters and physical paper. Back when you had to buy postage and envelopes. When the pace of life moved at 7 to 10 business days. Oh, and there were 50%+ fewer people on the planet. Back then there were more markets and fewer writers submitting fewer stories to them. Yes, they were all still getting far more rejections than acceptances, but the ratio was waaaaay lower than it is today.

Behold! My pile of rejection letters circa 2021. It’s grown since then.

These days, short fiction markets are closing right and left while technology is making those ever dwindling markets more and more accessible on a global scale. Magazines used to get fifty submissions a week. Now magazines sometimes get over two hundred submissions a week. In many ways, the new accessibility is a good thing. New and previously underrepresented writers who maybe couldn’t previously submit their work now can. Historically underrepresented voices and perspectives and cultures are enriching the genre fiction world. That’s fantastic. The point I’m trying to make, though, is that the market is oversaturated. Beyond oversaturated if you factor in AI submissions, and that trend is increasing. So yeah, fewer markets and exponentially more submissions to them. A perfect recipe for hustle culture. I don’t blame that author over on Codex for burning out and having a “what’s the point in trying” moment.

There are soooo many factors involved in getting published that are completely out of an author’s control. Some of it is raw numbers and market trends, some of it is yuckier stuff (nepotism, favoritism, biases and prejudices that people in the industry don’t like to talk about and certainly don’t want to acknowledge), but more and more getting a story published is just a matter of chance. Yet the hustle culture of the publishing world would have us believing that there’s a causal relationship between how hard we work and how much publication success we have. Authors who self-publish are, perhaps, in a slightly different situation, but some would argue the hustle culture is even worse for them. I don’t know. That’s a discussion for a different day.

In my mind, submitting a story for publication is a bit like buying a scratch ticket. The idea of getting published is fun, and occasionally I get an acceptance letter. In those instances, I revel in the endorphin dump and embrace the dopamine hit of seeing my stories in print, but I try hard to resist the hustle culture. That old adage that “If you’re not writing every day, you’re not a real writer” is harmful and self-destructive. I have a day job. I’m a teacher (another industry with a toxic hustle culture problem). I have a family and, you know, other hobbies and interests that I enjoy.

I write stories, and I submit them to markets for possible publication. But I do it at my own pace, in a way that fits in my life, and I don’t feel guilty about that. I’m not willing to engage with the hustle culture that seems to drive the publishing industry so completely. If I don’t write today, or this week, or this month because I’m too busy with other things or even just because I don’t feel like writing, I’m okay with that. The author who posted about burnout over on Codex probably won’t read this, but I hope she finds a way to reject the grind and rediscover the joy in writing, because she’s a damned good writer and I hate what the hustle culture of the industry is doing to her and to all writers (all creatives really).

I’ve got a few stories out on submission right now. I’m playing around with a few new stories, too. I’m doing a live reading with two other Radon Journal authors in July. I’ll also be attending ReaderCon as a panelist this year. Beyond that, I’m elbows deep in developing two new genetics and biotechnology courses to teach next year, and I’m taking a graduate class so I can actually teach those classes competently. I’m embarking upon the college application process with my eldest child (omg MORE hustle culture shenanigans). Yikes, that’s a lot. Guess I’m as trapped in the hustle culture as everyone else. But, I’m also gardening, and kayaking, and bird watching, and going for hikes, and reading, and sitting in the backyard feeling the sun on my face while listening to the wind rustle through the leaves of Yggdrasil.

Are you feeling burned out these days? Is the hustle culture grinding you down? Feel free to vent or commiserate or offer tips for breaking free in the comments. As always, thanks for stopping by, and happy writing to you.

June 16, 2024
Spring 2024 Author Update: Writing, Publishing, and More!

It’s been way too long since I last posted anything here. Since late December, to be exact. Even longer since I posted any kind of an author update. Sorry about that.

Trust me, though, it’s not because I’ve been sitting on my butt eating chips and watching Netflix (okay, I’ve done a bit of that) or trying to become a TikTok sensation (Gods no, I don’t even have an account). Truth is, I’ve been deep in the trenches of personal creativity and professional commitment these last two months. Between the endless whirlwind of teaching that never seems to slow down and my attempts at–you know–writing, there’s been little time for much else. But it’s been good, and I have things to share. Spring 2024 Author Update

Getting Back into Gear with My Creative Writing

While December is my “rest and recover” month following my fall trimester of teaching, January is the month when I get back into my creative writing by diving headfirst into the Codex Writers‘ annual winter Flash Fiction Challenge. Holy wow, did it kick my ass back into gear. Four new pieces of flash fiction later, and I’m feeling like I’ve been through a literary boot camp. I won’t lie; I’m not exactly throwing a parade for the stories I churned out, but damn, it felt good to shake off the cobwebs and get those creative juices flowing again. After a three-month hiatus from writing, finding my way back to my keyboard always feels like trying to start a car in the dead of winter—frustrating, but oh-so-satisfying when it finally roars to life.

2023 Continues to Bear Authorial Fruit Spring 2024 Author Update

I have jaw-dropping news—at least, it made my jaw drop. My short story, “A Wielder Does Not Know Regret,” was chosen for the Metaphorosis Magazine Best of 2023 Anthology. Can you believe it?! My first professionally published story, picked to be in a “Best of” anthology! I’ve always had a soft spot for this story, even though it’s a bit out there. Getting this nod has been a huge confidence booster for me, squashing those nagging doubts that I’m a hack and reaffirming my identity as a competent author. I bought three copies of the anthology, because this definitely feels like a milestone moment in my writing career. One copy, I gave to my parents (which my mom loved and my dad… well, I think my creative writing adventures confuse and irritate my dad, to be honest). Another, I donated to my school’s library. The third copy is mine. Just for me. To put on my bookshelf and look at and think, “Hell, yeah, I did that!”

Then, just when I thought things couldn’t get any more amazing, my flash story “Between the Mountain and the Sea” landed a spot in the Metastellar Best of 2023 Anthology! The publication date for that anthology hasn’t been released yet, but still. Two of my stories making it into “Best of” anthologies in the same year? It feels kind of surreal.

First Story Sale of 2024

2024 is off to a great start. My story, “A Pharaoh’s Curse to End the War,” found a home in issue 19 of Unnerving Magazine! After what felt like an eternity of revisions and rejections, I was giving serious consideration to shelving this one. It’s a campy horror story about zombies on a plane (sort of) and these days most magazines have negative interest in zombie stories. But just when I was ready to give up on it, Unnerving’s editor Eddie Generous decided to give my splattery tale a chance. The story dropped on March 13th, 2024, and with a killer graphic to boot. I’m delighted. Horror is what drew me to writing in the first place, so this feels like a major goal accomplished. You should go read it. It’s free!! Spring 2024 Author Update

Current Writing Projects

As for what I’m up to now? Well, I’m elbow-deep in revisions for another horror story that’s been stubbornly resisting publication as a flash piece. I’ve got a hunch it needs more room to breathe, so I’m ditching the flash format and expanding it into something meatier. Whether I’m actually improving it or just muddling it further, only time will tell. Meanwhile, I’m also working on a sequel to “The Portal in Andrea’s Dryer,” featuring more ridiculous adventures with my favorite quartet of gal-pals. Think precognition, parental anxiety, and some dubious dairy products. It’s shaping up to be a fun piece. You should go read the first one.

So, that’s the scoop from my corner of the universe. What have you all been up to? Any personal victories, minor or major, that you’re itching to share? Let’s celebrate our triumphs and face our challenges together, shall we?

Until next time, keep chasing those dreams, no matter how elusive they may seem. Cheers to writing, to creating, and to living this beautifully chaotic life.

March 15, 2024
Exploring Boston’s Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Horror Literary Scene

Greetings, fellow readers and writers. I’m on winter break all this week and next (one of the perks of teaching at an independent school). These two weeks are a time for me to catch my breath, release some tension, and refill my creative well. One of the things I always try to do to relax and get inspired is catch a train into Boston and wander the city. There’s so much to see and do in Boston. There are the museums, of course, and so many fantastic book shops. There are walking tours and duck tours and trolley tours with themes and flavors to suit anyone’s taste preferences. Of course, my taste preference is for sci-fi, fantasy, and horror. Thankfully, Boston isn’t just a city steeped in American history; it’s also a vibrant cauldron of imaginative creation where spellbinding stories and futuristic fantasies come to life. It’s kind of a genre fiction lover’s paradise. Need convincing?

A City Full of Dark History

Picture this: Winter of 1919 in Boston’s North End neighborhood. An unusually warm day for January. The milder temperatures have brought more folks out than usual that morning. The ground begins to shake. A thunderclap roar fills the air followed by a long rumble like the sound of an approaching train. A 25 foot tall tidal wave of steaming hot molasses appears. It rolls down the street at 35 miles per hour, knocking buildings off their foundations and swallowing up terrified bystanders who stand no chance of outrunning it. In the aftermath, molasses covers the street, swirling and bubbling three feet deep. Here and there, forms struggle and thrash in the sticky muck—whether human or animal, it’s impossible to tell. Horses died like flies on sticky paper. Human’s as well. That really happened. Right here in Boston. Spine-tingling tales of terror are sprinkled all along the Freedom Trail. You just need to know who to ask, like a Dark Side of Boston tour guide.

A City Filled with Art and Mystery

When you’re done exploring the dark corners and bloody history of the city, you can head over to the Isabella Stuart Gardener Art Museum, zen out in their amazing indoor oasis of a courtyard, enjoy some gorgeous art, and observe the thirteen empty frames that still hang on the museum walls while listening to NPR’s “Last Seen” Podcast about the most famous art heist in American history.

A Fantastical City of the Future

Once your done with that, you can take the subway over to Kendall Square and MIT, where some of the smartest minds in the country are hard at work developing technologies so astounding you might think you’d accidentally walked through a tear in the fabric of the space-time continuum and ended up in the future. Giant superconducting electromagnets, floating balls of plasma hotter than the sun, fusion reactors… Oh, and artificially intelligent robot killing machines that can chase you through the woods or par core their way through the urban rubble of an apocalyptic wasteland. Um, I might have let my imagination get away from me on that last one, but have you seen the robots at Boston Dynamics? I mean, come on.

But that’s kind of my point. Boston is like a cauldron filled with history, art, science, and imagination. You can mix them all together to create a magical combination that can inspire stories transcending time and genre.

Boston is Full of Writers That Love to Craft Magic Together

Looking for a place where writers of all things eerie, fantastical, and out-of-this-world gather? Boston is that place! Here, writers from diverse cultural backgrounds come together to weave a tapestry of diverse genre fiction narratives. Groups like Speculative Boston, the New England Science Fiction Association (NESFA), and the Cambridge Commons Writers aren’t just clubs; they’re the nurturing ground for creativity and camaraderie. It’s like Hogwarts for writers, minus the flying brooms (unfortunately).

Genre Conventions: Where Fantasy Meets Reality

And then, there are the events – oh, the events! Arisia and Boskone are like the annual family reunions for fans and creators of these genres. Whether you’re into inclusive, diverse discussions with a dash of phenomenal cosplay (hello, Arisia!) or have a thing for literary deep-dives (Boskone, I’m looking at you), these conventions are where you want to be. Plus, NESFA (the organization that hosts both of these events) isn’t just a group; they’re like the cool aunts and uncles keeping the spirit alive all year round. I’ve written about my experiences at Boskone in the past, so it’s no secret that Boskone is my favorite local convention and I’m always urging folks to check it out.

Book Nooks and Crannies: Boston’s Indie Bookstore Scene

What trip into the city would be complete with stopping into an indie bookstore or three? Whenever I head into Boston, I make a point of visiting the Harvard Bookstore. It’s just yards away from the redline t-stop in Harvard Square, and it’s a very cool place to grab a coffee, buy a book, and enjoy yourself. Pandemonium Books & Games is another indie bookstore I like to visit when I head across the river into Cambridge.

There are so many other shops and stores I could write about, but I’ll leave you to explore and discover them on your own. Regardless, local bookstores are mini-sanctuaries for me.

Where Writers Grow: Boston’s Creative Academia

And for the aspiring writers among us, Boston’s academic scene is like a greenhouse for literary talent. There are the colleges and universities, of course. All 44 of them! But there are also organizations like GrubStreet, which don’t just teach writing; they’re launchpads for your wildest genre imaginings. Whether you’re penning the next great American horror novel or crafting a fantasy world that rivals Middle Earth, these programs are where dreams get their wings.

Boston – The Heartbeat of Genre Literature

In short, Boston’s sci-fi, fantasy, and horror scene is more than just a community; it’s a pulsating, living entity that’s as integral to the city as its historic cobblestone streets. Whether you’re honing your craft, attending mind-blowing conventions, or losing yourself in the aisles of a quaint bookstore, Boston is a treasure trove of inspiration and wonder for fans and creators alike.

So, what are you waiting for? Let’s dive into Boston’s literary labyrinth and discover the stories waiting for us in its historic heart. And as always, keep those pages turning and your imagination burning!

December 23, 2023
Author Update: Joining the SFWA and Balancing Life as Writer and Teacher

Sharing a quick update (just kidding, this is definitely TL;DR) on what I’ve been up to this past month or so with regard to writing, teaching, fitness, and other stuff.(SFWA Writing Teaching Boskone)

I Joined the SFWA! (SFWA Writing Teaching Boskone)

I decided to apply for an associates level membership in the SFWA a couple of weeks ago. It’s a little pricey for me ($100) but ever since I discovered that the SFWA existed and saw the credential in the bios of a few SF authors I was reading in SF&F and Asimovs and Analog, etc. way back in the early aughts, I’ve wanted to be able to list it next to my own name. So silly, I know. Completely childish. “So and so is in the SFWA! Some day I’m gonna be in that organization, too!”

Whatever. Childish or not, it was a perceived goalpost of success that I wanted to reach. So, a few weeks ago, when I realized I’d finally sold enough work to qualify, I went for it. I mean, why not? My $100 supports an organization that I think is doing good work, so if nothing else I can feel good about that. They got back to me pretty quickly, too. I’m in!

I do feel a little thrill of satisfaction now that I can go into all my bios and social media profiles and add “Member SFWA” to them. If I never get another story published again, at least I can say that in 2023, I was successful enough at writing to earn myself an associates membership in the SFWA.

(SFWA Writing Teaching Boskone)

Teaching Continues to Challenge… (SFWA Writing Teaching Boskone)

Teaching is taking up way too much of my life this year. On top of my two regular science courses, I inherited a couple of trimester elective science classes from a teacher who was let go last year (for reasons I won’t dwell on other than to say it was a poorly handled situation on all sides). The teacher in question left a TON of materials in a highly disorganized state. So while there’s a ton of resources for me to utilize for these two courses, I am essentially rebuilding both courses from the ground up.

It’s incredibly time consuming and draining, and it’s all I can do to stay a few days ahead of my students. I’ve had nothing left in the tank when I get home for anything other than shoveling food into my face (thank Thor for a supportive spouse who cooks meals), collapsing onto the couch to zone out for an hour or so while I periodically check my watch and wonder, “Is is late enough that I can go to bed without feeling guilty about it yet? 7:48pm? Nope, not yet. Let’s try to make it until 8:30pm.”

But… though I’m still mired in developing a T2 course while I’m also teaching it (a sucky situation), my fall coaching duties have ended and my winter afternoon responsibilities are much lighter. A couple of afternoons each week I run the scoreboard for JV basketball games. Piece of cake. That’s given me back several more hours in my day, and those few extra hours make all the difference! I have energy again! I can think about creative writing again! Heck, I might even have time to start working out again!(SFWA Writing Teaching Boskone)

Getting Back into a Fitness Routine (SFWA Writing Teaching Boskone)

Fitness… ugh. I am currently in an unfit, detrained state. Two years ago, I tore my shoulder labrum. Hurt like a son of a bitch when it happened. Took me a year to get it officially diagnosed. Turns out labrum tears don’t heal and surgeries to repair them have a 50% success rate. Not being a young person with ambitions of a college or pro- sports career, I opted NOT to undergo the highly invasive surgery. Instead, I opted for a couple of dry needling sessions to release the muscles that had semi-permanently tensed up around the injury. Hot damn, did that work! I was astonished. And then I got the bill. Oof.

Now, a year later my shoulder is starting to hurt again. My PT told me the effects of dry needling would wear off over time and that I’d probably need another session, but I’m struggling to justify dropping the fat wad of cash to get it done again. I suppose when it gets bad enough that I get trapped trying to take a sweatshirt off (which it what precipitated me finally getting my shoulder checked in the first place), I’ll suck it up and pay the money to make myself functional again. Until then, I’ll just stick to lower body stuff as I start working out again, which I finally have time to do!(SFWA Writing Teaching Boskone)

Looking Forward to Boskone in February (SFWA Writing Teaching Boskone)

Okay, last thing. I’ve started thinking about and getting excited for Boskone. I love this con a lot. There’s a whole bunch of nostalgia tied up in it for me. It was the very first convention I ever attended, back when I was a starry-eyed grad student dreaming of authorial fame and fortune. I don’t dream of authorial fame and fortune anymore (which actually feels kind of good. These days, I’m writing and submitting my stories just for the fun of it). Anyway, Boskone was my first con, and for that reason it holds a special place in my heart. I even buy new “con” clothes each year. Well, article of clothing, singular; let’s not be ridiculous. Still, Boskone is a special event for me, so I like to “dress up” for it. My spouse ribs me about this, but whatever.

This year, my plan is to commute via train in and out of the city on Friday night to try and save some money, but I reserved a hotel room for Saturday night because I had such a fun time hanging with con friends last year that I don’t want to have to cut my Saturday night short again this year to catch a train home. Of course, I’m making those plans assuming the same folks are attending again this year and that they will want to get together to socialize and catch up again. Fingers crossed that turns out to be true. (SFWA Writing Teaching Boskone)

So, that’s my update. What’s everyone else up to these days? Will I be seeing you at Boskone this year? Let me know in the comments.

Thanks for stopping by and as always, happy writing to you!

December 17, 2023
Ten Great Gift Ideas for Writers – 2023

As the holiday season approaches, figuring out gift ideas for your writer-friend or loved one might feel daunting. The pressure to pick something that won’t disappoint can be stressful. You don’t want to get them yet another notebook or nice pen. They’ve got a billion of those already, but what’s left? To help you in your quest for a gift that will make any writer squeal with delight and excitement, here are ten gift ideas that I know I would be excited to get this year.

1. Bookstore Gift Card (Gift Ideas for Writers)

I know a lot of folks who hesitate at the idea of giving gift cards to others. They tell me it feels impersonal and cheap, like they’re not really trying. If it’s an amazon gift card, I get it, but a gift card doesn’t have to be impersonal. A bookstore gift card offers your writer-friend the joy of choosing their next read, which is invaluable for both inspiration and research. And if that gift card is from a local bookstore, even better! Trust me. This easy gift will go over great! If you’re on the North Shore of Massachusetts, check out Copper Dog Books or Paper Asylum Comics in Beverly. (Gift for Writers)

2. Special Edition Books by a Favorite Author (Gift Ideas for Writers)

It’s a good bet that your writer friend is also a book lover. The two tend to go hand-in-hand. Most writers have a nearly obsessive passion for collecting books. Why not tap into their second love by gifting them a special edition book by one of their favorite authors? For example, anyone who is a fan of Brandon Sanderson would probably be delighted to get a leatherbound copy of “The Way of Kings.” And what V. E. Schwab fan wouldn’t love to unwrap the “Shades of Magic” boxed set collector’s edition?

For writers, books are more than just reading material; They’re a source of inspiration. The exclusive content and beautiful artwork of a special edition book by an admired author is a guaranteed great gift! (Gift for Writers)

3. Themed Desk Accessories (Gift Ideas for Writers)

Maybe not the most original gift idea, but themed desktop accessories like dragon bookends or celestial organizers make great gifts for writers. Themed desktop accessories transform a workspace into a haven of creativity and imagination. Plus, things like themed mouse pads, bookends, paperweights (which are delightfully archaic), or pen-holders tend to be less expensive than, say, $350 noise-canceling headphones or $400 online writing classes. Your writer-friend might be a big Dr. Who fan, or a huge Lord of the Rings nerd, or a Friday the 13th fanatic. If so, they’ll love anything related to their obsession, even if it’s a set of Time Lord coasters. (Gift for Writers)

4. Writing Software Tools (Gift Ideas for Writers)

Tools like Scrivener and Final Draft cater specifically to the needs of novel writers and script writers by offering features for organizing complex plots and characters that simpler programs such as Microsoft Word or Google Docs don’t. But every aspiring writer knows the adage that money should flow toward the writer, not away from them. It can be hard for a writer to splurge on a “fancy” piece of writing software when there are free tools available, even if those free tools are missing all the amazing bells and whistles of the paid tools.

Why not show your support for your writer-friend’s dream and passion by purchasing them Scrivener, or Final Draft? I’ve never used Final Draft because it seems tailored more toward script writers than writers of novels and short stories, but I use and love Scrivener and will personally vouch for it. It’s an amazing writing tool that I’m sure your writer-friend will be excited to try out. (Gift for Writers)

5. Literary-Themed Apparel (Gift Ideas for Writers)

What writer doesn’t have a favorite quote or images from a beloved sci-fi, fantasy, or horror book/movie? I guarantee they’d be delighted to see it on scarf or a t-shirt or a pair of earrings. Literary-themed apparel like shirts, earrings, socks, or tote bags can help writers signal their passions and find kinship with others who recognize and appreciate the displayed quotes and symbols. There are a bunch of great online options to find the perfect literary-themed shirt or tote bag for your writer-friend. Check out The Bookish Box and Shop, Out of Print, Litographs, or Storyarts for unique gifts of all kinds that you just won’t find at Target or Walmart or Amazon. (Gift for Writers)

6. Noise-Canceling Headphones (Gift Ideas for Writers)

Many writers I know like to set up camp in coffee shops and cafes to write. The smell of coffee and baked goods really seems to help writers get words onto the page. But those same writers know the importance of being able to filter out distracting auditory stimuli, like nearby conversations. There’s some interesting neuroscience behind this. The visual stimulus of people moving about is good. The auditor stimulus of people talking around you while trying to write, not so much. That’s why your writer-friend might appreciate some high-quality headphones like the Bose QuietComfort 35 II or the second generation of Apple Airpods Pro. Both are “luxury” headphones with amazing sound and noise canceling capabilities that a writer might not purchase for themselves (they’re expensive) but would love to get.

7. Online Writing Course(Gift Ideas for Writers

Some online writing classes are application based, but some are open to all. While you might think the “open to all” courses lack in quality, you’d be wrong. Courses from masters like Neil Gaiman provide valuable insights and skills development for aspiring authors while also offering plenty of inspiration and motivation (it’s Neil Gaiman teaching the class, for goodness sake!).

There are also many excellent organizations that offer a wide variety of classes, from general craft to genre specific courses. For example, Gotham Writers and Writer’s Digest University are two organizations that have been around for a long time. They’ve got classes for writers of all genres at all skill levels. Their instructors are excellent and their online platforms are extremely well-developed and user friendly. I’ve taken classes from both and am more than comfortable recommending them.

Online writing courses are affordable and accessible, and they can help writers refine their craft and offer them fresh perspectives on storytelling while simultaneously connecting them to communities of other writers with similar interests and at similar places in their journeys. (Gift for Writers)

8. Personalized Critique Session

Writing can be a lonely and isolating pastime. I know so many aspiring writers who lament that they’re not a good judge of their own work, but they have no one who can read what they’ve written and offer useful and constructive feedback. Friends and family members can’t be trusted because they’re biased. They’re afraid of discouraging or upsetting the writer, so they often have nothing but good things to say. Strangers on the internet can’t be trusted, either. Who knows what their background is? They might not be knowledgeable of genre tropes, stereotypes, or audience expectations. Just because someone reads sci-fi doesn’t mean they know how to give useful feedback to someone who is writing sci-fi (or fantasy or horror).

Direct feedback from a professional in the genre is an invaluable and precious gift for writers of any genre. It offers them a chance to learn, grow, and refine their work with expert guidance from someone who actually knows what they’re talking about. Many authors supplement their income by offering editing and critique services. Now, I wouldn’t recommend doing a blind internet search for a great editorial service. Thank Thor you don’t have to. Author Jason Sanford has done the work for you. Check out his listing of genre freelance editors, and rest assured that you’re getting quality recommendations from someone who really knows their stuff! (Gift for Writers)

9. Guided Stargazing Experience

This gift idea might sound a little “out there” but hear me out because I think it’s a pretty great idea and one your writer-friend likely won’t expect but is sure to enjoy. Writing is an act of creativity, a process that at its core is fueled by curiosity and wonder. Star gazing connects us with the vastness of the universe and is often cited as a source of inspiration in science fiction and fantasy stories. Think about the many scenes in books and movies where the main character sits gazing up (or out, if they’re already in space) at the starry sky, pondering their circumstances and their future. Those scenes resonate because gazing at the stars truly does inspire awe. A guided stargazing experience might be just the thing to ignite your writer-friend’s imagination and return them to their story feeling refreshed and energized.

As you start looking for the perfect experience, check out Tripadvisor’s post, 9 stellar stargazing experiences in the US. They’ve done a lot of the research groundwork for you already. Or, if you’re looking for a more accessible and cost friendly guided stargazing experience for your friend, Visit Dark Skies is a fantastic alternative. They’ve created a downloadable audio experience that you can take with you anywhere and listen to over and over again. (Gift for Writers)

10. A mini-Writer’s Retreat (Gift for Writers)

Okay, I saved this gift idea for last because it is absolute genius. Your writer-friend will love it, and they’ll never see it coming. It’s also probably the hardest gift to pull off. Give your friend a weekend-retreat by booking them a solo Airbnb, Verbo, or hotel getaway. It doesn’t have to be anywhere far away. In fact, closer is actually better. This gift isn’t really about the where. It’s about escaping from the house or the apartment. Writers can feel like they’re neglecting their duties if they sit down to write while there’s laundry to be washed or vacuuming to be done. Also, sometimes writers just want to get away from friends and family. Sorry, it’s true. Sometimes the folks we love drive us up the wall and we just want some space. Having a whole weekend all to yourself with no else around? Odin All-father, the very idea of that sends ecstatic shivers down my spine.

If you do this, you’ll want to find a place that’s clean and cute, has great ratings, and matches what your writing-friend wants. This means you’ll need to do some sneaky sleuthing to figure out what your writer-friend dreams about as an ideal retreat. A Thoreau-style one-room cabin in the woods with no heat, hot water, or electricity? A five-star luxury hotel room in the city with room service and a fabulous view of the skyline? A cozy little cape by the water? Whatever their vision of a dream retreat is, you can probably give them a weekend getaway that’s very close to it. Be sure to have the camera rolling when they open this gift. You’ll want to capture their child-like dance of joy for posterity’s sake. (Gift for Writers)

Show You Really Care This Holiday Season:

It can be hard figuring out the perfect gift for the writer in your life, but don’t worry. Each of the gift ideas above is sure to surprise and delight. Fancy notebooks and nice pens are fine, of course. If you really want to show your love and support, though, give a gift that will act as a gateway to new realms of creativity, focus, and productivity. (Gift for Writers)

If you have any great gift suggestions for writers, feel free to share them in the comments.

Thanks for stopping by and as always, happy writing to you!

December 9, 2023
It’s Hugo and Nebula Awards Eligibility Season!
It’s Hugo and Nebula Awards eligibility season, and I’m excited to say that all of the stories I published in 2023 qualify for consideration!

What are the Nebulas?

The Nebula Awards are conferred by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA). Each year the organization recognizes the best works of science fiction or fantasy published in the United States. There are four categories based on length (Novel, novella, novelette, and short story), a category for Middle Grade and Young Adult fiction, a category for game writing, and a category for motion pictures, television, Internet, radio, audio, and stage productions. Awards eligibility is based on having had a story published in a paying market.

What are the Hugos?

The Hugo Awards are given out to the best science fiction or fantasy stories of the previous year and are given out at the World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon). There are a bunch of different awards (19) all of which fall into three main categories:
- Individual Works
- People
- Serial Publications
Each sub category has it’s own awards eligibility criteria.

How Are Stories Nominated for a Nebula or a Hugo?

Prior to this year, I never really paid much attention to anything beyond the awards ceremonies themselves. The nomination process was a complete mystery to me. I hadn’t published anything in a qualifying market, after all. I had no skin in the game, so to speak.

This year is different. This year, I’ve got stories that qualify for both the Nebulas and the Hugos. So this year, I looked into how my stories might get a nomination. Here’s what I found out:

The Nebulas

An author doesn’t need to be a member of the SFWA to have their story nominated for a Nebula. However, only full and associate members of the SFWA can nominate stories (no, they can’t nominate their own stuff). Likewise, only full and associate members can vote (yes, they can vote for their own stuff).

The Hugos

I had to do a bit of digging to find out about this process. The very long and somewhat daunting official constitution of the World Science Fiction Society (WSFS) maps it out. According to that document: “Each member of the administering Worldcon or the immediately preceding Worldcon” gets to nominate works, people, or serial publications for consideration. Now, I don’t know what a member of the administering Worldcon is (it wasn’t explained anywhere that I could find), but I think they’re members of the WSFS.

Based on my engagement in online SFF writing communities, it does seem like imperfect systems underpin both the Nebulas and the Hugos. That said, I don’t think there are any perfect systems in existence. One thing is clear, though. If you’re good at promoting your stuff, then your stuff is more likely to get nominated. So…

My Eligible Stories

2023 was a banner year for me. Four of my stories saw their way into print in qualifying markets. In order of date of publication, there are:

A Wielder Does Not Know Regret. (Metaphorosis. August, 2023)

Between the Mountain and the Sea. (MetaStellar. August, 2023)

The Colony Ship’s Companion. (Radon Journal. September, 2023)

The Portal in Andrea’s Dryer. (Uncharted Magazine. November, 2023)

I can’t say which one is my “best” story. They’re all very different from each other, and I put a lot of time and effort into each one. I’ll let you be the judge. Let me know which you like best in the comments.

Thanks for stopping by and as always, happy writing to you!
December 3, 2023
Fall 2023 Writing Update: More Publishing Success and Some Winter Fun

It’s been a minute since I last posted, so I figured it was time for a quick fall 2023 writing update. This has been a whirlwind year of publishing progress and milestone moments.

My Clarion West Fundraising Efforts

My fundraising efforts for Clarion West were partly successful. Though I didn’t meet my $1,000 target, I did raise over $500 for them – a feat for which I’m pretty damned proud. The whole experience was fantastic. I learned a lot, had fun, did a ton of writing, and helped out a very worthy cause. I definitely plan to do it again next summer.

Published Stories and My SFWA Mentorship

Excitingly, my flash fiction piece, “The Colony Ship’s Companion,” found its way into Radon Journal, and “The Portal in Andrea’s Dryer” graced the pages of Uncharted Magazine. That brings my total number of stories published in pro- or semi-pro magazines up to four (all four of which came in 2023).

My summer mentorship through SFWA under Julia Rios‘ guidance wrapped up in early September. The experience was phenomenal. Truly transformative. Julia helped me SO much as I worked to flesh out the middle-grade steampunk novel I’ve been noodling about with since 2017.

The Cycle of Balancing Teaching and Creative Writing Continues

There are definitely some seasonal cycles at work in my life. For example, fall is a four month season of teaching, coaching, and family commitments. As such, September requires I pause in my creative writing endeavors. The months between August and December require head-down determination and a focus exclusively on lesson planning, grading, and (this year) volleyball. Interestingly, seeing two of my stories in print during my no-room-for-writing fall season has acted as a creative beacon for me. It reminded me that the exact same thing happened last year. I had to put my personal interests down for several months. Yet despite that fallow period, I ended up with four new short stories written and published. As a result, I’m feeling slightly less burnt out than I usually do at this time each year. Perhaps a few months away from writing every autumn is a good thing.

Upcoming Writing Events and Engagements

As November wraps up and December approaches, my excitement to get back to my creative endeavors is growing. The Codex Writers’ “Weekend Warrior” flash fiction challenge will be starting up in about a month. It was through that challenge last year that I generated all four of my published stories for 2023.

I’m also looking forward to taking part in Boskone – a highlight in the science fiction and fantasy convention scene. That convention is such a shot in the arm for me as a writer. It always recharges my creative energy. I’ve attended as a fan, and as a volunteer, but this year I’m hoping to step into the role of a program participant. With some actual publications under my belt, I think I can do it without feeling like a complete and utter fraud.

What Have You Been Up To?

Now that you’re caught up with what I’ve been up to, I’d love to hear how all of you have been faring. What’s your Fall 2023 Writing Update? Have you found time for writing amidst life’s demands? If so, what have you been working on? Share your accomplishments and triumphs in the comments section so we can celebrate our collective journeys together.

Until next time, keep writing, keep dreaming.

November 19, 2023
The Clarion West Write-a-Thon Fundraiser!
Staring June 26th, I’ll be writing my fingers raw as I try to raise some money to support a super worthy cause. I’m taking part in Clarion West’s 2023 Write-a-thon fundraiser, a six-week-long writing adventure. I hope you’ll consider supporting my efforts, but first, let me tell you a bit about Clarion West.

What Is Clarion West?

Clarion West is a nonprofit literary organization that runs an acclaimed six-week residential workshop every summer, online classes and workshops, one-day and weekend workshops, a reading series every summer, and other events throughout the year.

An offshoot of the original Clarion, which was founded in 1968 by Robin Scott Wilson at Clarion State College, Clarion West got its start in 1972 and has been running strong ever since. In 1987, it became a fully independent nonprofit organization. Its mission? To support emerging and underrepresented voices and foster greater equity and inclusion in the world of speculative fiction. That’s a mission I can get behind, because let’s face it. The speculative fiction world has been pretty white and male for a very long time, especially in the United States. As such, the culture surrounding the writing and publishing of speculative fiction has reflected some pretty unflattering and limiting prejudices about folks who weren’t/aren’t hetero white dudes. Things have been getting better, but there’s a lot of work left to do. Clarion West is committed to doing the work.

What Clarion West Does

Every summer, Clarion West hosts a six-week long residential writing workshop in Seattle, Washington. It’s a highly competitive program designed to offer participants a chance to make important industry connections while building a support network of community peers. Each week during the program, participants are joined by a respected author and/or editor who shares their experience and perspectives on the field of speculative fiction. Check out the lineup of folks who will be teaching seminars at this year’s workshop:
Clarion West also offers online workshops which is nice. Not everyone can put their jobs and families on pause for six-weeks to attend the in-person summer workshop (much as we might desperately want to).

Regardless of whether a writer takes part in the in-person or online workshops, though, the cost of running the workshops is not insignificant. Nonprofit thought it might be, Clarion West is expensive. Hey, no shade from me on that point, though. It costs a lot to do what they do. Hence their fundraising efforts, which brings me back to…

My Write-a-Thon Fundraising Adventures

This is my first time participating in the Write-a-thon. I have no idea what I’m doing. What goal should I set regarding how much money to raise? I don’t know. How does $1000 sound? Sure, why not?

But how to actually raise that money? Well, now I’m in foreign territory. What do I know about getting folks to open their hearts and wallets? To the internet, Batman! Time to do some research.

Turns out, folks are more likely to give up their hard-earned dough and make a donation when they know what they’re supporting. Details count. Clarion West does an amazing job of explaining their mission, but what about me? What am I doing during these next six weeks? Well, I’m writing of course. It’s called a “Write-a-thon” after all. But maybe people would like a few more specifics than just, “Er, uh, I’m gonna write some stuff and things.”

With that in mind, I created a fundraising page and got busy promoting the event. I announced my participation to my coworkers, sent a follow-up email asking for their support, and started pushing out announcements via my Instagram account.

I also set some measurable weekly writing goals, which I already shared in a previous post. If you want to know what my other very impressive and ambitious Write-a-thon goals are (and you totally do!) you’ll need to hop over to my fundraising page to read about them.

And yes, I’ve shared that link multiple times, because, duh, I’m trying to get folks to chip in and help me raise $1000 for an amazing organization with a amazing mission. To do that, I’ve got to get you over to where the “Donate” button lives. A bunch of excellent humans have already helped me get ⅓ of the way there, by the way. Don’t you want to help me get the rest of the way there? Of course you do!

Time to Shake the Moths Out of Your Wallet!

What are you waiting for? Show your support for Clarion West’s mission to strengthen the world of speculative fiction by nurturing emerging writers and underrepresented voices. CLICK HERE to make a donation of any amount during their fundraising event. Every dollar counts. Together, we can help bring new and diverse voices and perspectives to the speculative fiction world. Huzzah!!

As always, thanks for stopping by and happy writing to you.
June 23, 2023
The SFWA Mentoring Initiative 2023

Since its inception in 2018, the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA) Mentoring Initiative has been connecting experienced authors and editors with writers who are new to the industry. The program offers new(er) writers a chance to benefit from the wisdom and guidance of someone more familiar with the ins and outs of the genre fiction world. It’s an incredibly popular program, and after two years of trying, I finally made it into the program!

What is the SFWA?

The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (formerly known as the Science Fiction Writers of America) dates all the way back to 1965. It was founded by Damon Knight and some other writers connected with the Milford Writers Workshop. Their mission? To quote the SFWA website directly, “The purpose of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association is to promote, advance, and support science fiction and fantasy writing in the United States and elsewhere, by educating and informing the general public and supporting and empowering science fiction and fantasy writers.”

I grew up reading science fiction, fantasy, and horror magazines filled with authors who listed SFWA membership in there credentials. So, of course, little ol’ me decided at a very early age that someday I would too. At the time of this post, I’ve sold enough stories to qualify for an associate membership, but I’m holding out hope that in the months between now and December 31st, I’ll sell enough to qualify for a full membership. Fingers crossed. For now, though, I’ve got my mentorship match to enjoy.

What is the SFWA Mentoring Initiative?

There are actually two different mentoring programs offered each year. There’s the Conference Mentorship Program and the Career Mentorship Program.

The Conference Mentorship Program

This program happens during the Nebula Conference. Basically, it’s a mentor and mentee sit down for an hour-long Q&A session and chat about the publication industry or the basics of conference attendance.

The Career Mentorship Program

This is the program I’m participating in this summer. It’s goal is to assist in the professional development of emerging or isolated writers of speculative fiction. They aim to foster success in emerging writers, educate new writers about predatory industry practices, and offer the collective experience and wisdom of the larger genre fiction community. Luckily for me, you don’t need to be a member of the SFWA apply for the program.

Meeting My Mentor

I can’t believe my good fortune in having been paired with Julia Rios. They’re a writer, an podcaster, a narrator, and the brainchild of Worlds of Possibility, and online speculative fiction magazine that specializes in hopeful, peaceful, and otherwise chill stories.

I sat down to zoom with them for the first time Friday morning for a “get to know you” chat, but our call was cut short when my power blipped off for absolutely no reason and my wifi couldn’t seem to figure out how to turn back on afterward. (Curse you, Loki!) Julia was very kind about the whole thing, and we ended up zooming on Saturday morning. Julia and I were matched because we’re in similar life stages (mid-40s) and we live relatively near each other. In fact, we’re both going to be attending ReaderCon in July. They’re attending as a participant. I’m attending as a volunteer. We’re hoping to some find time to connect in person and indulge in our mutual love of coffee together.

In the meantime, we’ve agreed to weekly check-in meetings to see how I do with all the goals I’ve set for myself this summer.

The Weeks Ahead

Me looking mildly impatient as I wait for eldest villain to finish up school stuff so we can go home.

This next week will be… interesting. My youngest villain won’t yet be in camp. My eldest villain hasn’t yet secured a summer job. Does it speak ill of me that I’m feeling a bit ugh about having to be a parent for a week? Don’t get me wrong. I love both my future Evil Overlords, but as a fully established Evil Overlord myself I very selfishly want to be left alone to do my things. This weird limbo week when the kids aren’t in school or camp (or working a job) is a problem. It means either intentionally neglecting my kids to pursue my own stuff or cramming my stuff into the margins of their lives and needs. I’ll likely do a bit of both, to be honest.

But then, as of June 26th my youngest will be in camp all day and my eldest will be faced with the decision to either get off their evil ass and find a job outside the house or else be put to work here at home sprucing up the Evil Lair. Then, I’ll be able to devote my full time and attention to writing for a good solid five hours/day.

June 19, 2023