Friday, May 10, 2019

Mid-May Update


Well, there’ve been plenty of April showers in our parts—time to bring on the May flowers. Rhubarb is coming up, as is the garlic planted last fall, and the asparagus left behind by the previous occupants of our property, so I can’t complain. Seeing lots of birds returning; saw a rose-breasted grosbeak at the feeder this morning, and a black-throated blue warbler in the shrubbery a week or two ago.

Recent Publications
My review of Paul Meloy’s Adornments of the Storm appeared on The Future Fire’s review site April 23rd. Adornments of the Storm was a follow-up to Meloy’s earlier novel The Night Clock, and proved to be a fitting sequel. Great to see Bix, Bronze John, and the other characters back in action. You can find the review at The Future Fire:


I also received my copy of The Daily Grind, a coffee-themed anthology, in the mail. Goal Publications’ submission call for coffee-themed furry stories inspired my short story “Grounds for Questioning”, about a border collie cop’s first day on the job. This story was included in the anthology, and as a bonus provided inspiration for two other tales featuring the central character Rally. Had lots of fun writing all three stories, so thanks to the folks at Goal Publications for putting out their initial submission call.


What I'm Working On
I recently finished reading W. Michael Gear's Outpost, which I will subsequently review. Interesting story with lots of twists and turns.

I received two additional review books in the mail recently, Timothy S. Johnston’s The War Beneath, and Guy Gavriel Kay’s A Brightness Long Ago. A work colleague introduced me to Kay’s Fionavar Tapestry series years ago, and it remains one of my all-time favourites. I’ve just started reading A Brightness Long Ago; finding it interesting so far.

I have a few short stories I am working on refining, and have been sending a few items for the Chicken Soup for the Soul: I Can’t Stop Laughing story call-out.