Another year has come and will soon be gone, which always presents a wonderful opportunity for reflecting on recent challenges, successes, and positive memories. For me, the highlight of my year was continuing to watch my two young daughters grow into amazing little humans. My older child—now four years old—continuously exhibits unbridled energy and communicates her thoughts with astoundingly complex skill. Her little sister—not even two years old—sprints, climbs, and laughs in a constant and unabashed effort to keep pace with her older sibling. It’s a joy to observe the world from their perspectives, a realm of adventure, possibility, and wonder.
Other noteworthy experiences and memories from 2021 include some significant changes that recently struck my professional life. But I’m happy to say that they will present some very exciting and positive opportunities in the future. This past summer, my family enjoyed a splendid trip to the Pacific Northwest and marveled at the beauty of Olympic National Park, in particular. And, I fulfilled a life-long dream this year when I appeared on the quiz show Jeopardy! That was such an unforgettable experience that I wrote a lengthy blog series about it—click here to read about what it’s like to be a contestant on Jeopardy!
2021 Publications
In terms of my writing projects in 2021, I had the delightful fortune of having three new short stories published, as well as an older story selected for an anthology. I also have one more new story forthcoming in a new anthology series. If you’re interested in reading some new speculative fiction, or if you’re reading for any SFF awards, please check out my work that was published this year.
“Our New Artifacts” — Wizards In Space
Wizards In Space Literary Magazine, Issue 06; science fiction; 4,900 words. This sci-fi tale is set on an alien-occupied Earth, and it follows a group of characters into a strange museum of human artifacts and memories. Click here to read about what inspired this story.
“The Mural” — From The Farther Trees
From The Farther Trees magazine, Issue 5, June 2021; fantasy; 5,000 words. This fantasy story is set in a medieval-inspired secondary world, and it follows an artist who is tasked by a nefarious monarch to create a unique painting unlike anything else. Click here to learn more about this fantasy tale.
“Pine & Sprout” — From The Farther Trees
From The Farther Trees magazine, Pop-Up Issue, September 2021; fantasy; 3,400 words. An old pine tree is forced to confront an unexpected challenge when strange visitors arrive in its forest. Click here to read about this story’s origins.
“Good Boy” Reprinted In Metaphorosis Magazine’s ‘Best of 2020’ Anthology
Another writing highlight for me in 2021 was having my very first published short story included in Metaphorosis Magazine’s ‘Best of 2020’ anthology. Metaphorosis originally published my science fiction story about an intrepid dog with generations-spanning love and loyalty in its October 2020 issue. It was so special to become part of a speculative fiction publication that I’d long admired, and it was truly an honor for my story to receive this additional accolade. Click here to read the story, and click here if you want to learn more about its creation.
Coming Soon… An All-New, Same-World Anthology Series
Looking ahead to 2022, I have a lot of new writing projects that I’m eager to begin. Until then, I have one more publication forthcoming. I’m so thrilled to be a part of an exciting new project from Night Sky Press—a biannual, same-world anthology series, with each issue featuring an original planet around which the issue’s stories are centered. My short story, titled “In The Valley of Starlight,” was selected to be part of the inaugural issue featuring a crystalline planet called Orcanus. Be sure to follow Night Sky Press for updates on when the first issue will be published.
