The good folks over at Ares Magazine are making one fiction selection available online — completely free — for each issue. You can read my novella “Mr. Pell,” from Issue #3, and check out their online exclusives in the Ares Online tab.
The Compassion Anthology is here!
My short story “Phoenix Cross” was recently reprinted in the summer edition of The Compassion Anthology! This issue’s theme is compassion and appreciation for the natural world, and I’m pleased that a story about (mostly) domesticated farm birds made the cut. You can check out the story online, and if you are so moved, consider donating to the art fundraiser for The World Wildlife Fund.
I’d like to express my thanks to my friends at Ashland Creek Press for submitting the story. You are champions for all species.
Be nice to Mama Earth
Mother’s Revenge has arrived! This anthology of eco-revenge fantasies features my short story “It Wants to be a Swamp,” about the things that can happen on a Metro platform.
Ten percent of the proceeds will be donated to earth-saving organizations such as Water is Life, Union of Concerned Scientists, the Sierra Club and the Clean Air Task Force.
Check out Scary Dairy Press for more weird tales and dark fantasy, and think about heading over to Goodreads to leave a review.
The Penmen Review
Big thanks to Rebecca LeBoeuf for featuring Among Animals 2 in the latest issue of The Penmen Review! Contributors Rachel King, Catherine Evleshin, and Anne Elliot each talk about their stories, along with yours truly.
New Year, New Anthology
My new short story “It Wants To Be a Swamp” will appear in the upcoming anthology Mother’s Revenge from Scary Dairy Press — fine publishers of dark, bizarre, and strange fiction. As the editors describe it: “This is a passionate anthology about Mother Earth taking her world back from the humans and teaching us a lesson.”
Intrigued, aren’t you?
Upcoming Book Readings
“Phoenix Cross” is making the rounds of the DMV, one administrative district at a time!
I.e., after reading at the wonderful Potter’s House in the District last October, I’m heading across the Maryland border on January 7 to Robert Harper Books. Then, on February 8, I’ll be joining friend-to-equines and historic fiction writer J. Bowers at One More Page Books in Arlington, Virginia. Check out her devastating story “Shooting a Mule” in Among Animals 2.
Details and dates:
Robert Harper Books
6216 Rhode Island Ave
Riverdale Park, MD 20737
Saturday, Jan 7, 2pm
One More Page Books
2200 N Westmoreland Street #101
Arlington, VA 22213
Wednesday, Feb 8, 7pm
If you’re in the neighborhood, come down and get a book, get a signature, or get a firm handshake.
It really is an honor just to be nominated
“Phoenix Cross” has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize!
The Pushcart Prize: Best of the Small Presses series, published every year since 1976, is the most honored literary project in America.
Since 1976, hundreds of presses and thousands of writers of short stories, poetry and essays have been represented in our annual collections. Each year most of the writers and many of the presses are new to the series. Every volume contains an index of past selections, plus lists of outstanding presses with addresses.
Ashland Creek Press nominated the story, which is quite an honor for me, considering they are limited to six nominations for the year, and they’ve published over a dozen stand-out short stories just in Among Animals 2. Definitely check them out.
Interview with Ashland Creek Press
I talked with the good folks of Ashland Creek Press about my contribution “Phoenix Cross,” to their new anthology Among Animals 2. You can check out the results here. We cover inspiration, research, empathetic farmers, and more!
It’s out!
Among Animals 2 is now available from Ashland Creek Press, featuring my short story “Phoenix Cross”! What happens when struggling chicken farmers gene-splice the company breed with a mythological phoenix? Well, not exactly what they hoped for.
I’ll be reading from the story at The Potter’s House at 7pm, October 14. If you’re in the DC-area, stop on by! Then stick around for the discussion with DC Stampede – a grassroots social justice collective for animals, people, and the planet. Details available on Facebook.
Among Animals 2 is coming!
The next volume of the anthology Among Animals is coming in September! Like the first volume, this book collects short stories that explore how humans interact with other species in complex, heartbreaking, hilarious, and humbling ways. I’m so honored that my short story “Phoenix Cross” will be appearing alongside contributions from applauded writers like JoeAnn Hart. Check out Ashland Creek Press for updates–and to get a copy of the first anthology, which features “Meat” by yours truly.
And if you’re around the DC-area this fall, I’ll be reading from the book and taking part in a discussion at The Potter’s House! Date TBD.