December 2020 update

Thanks to encouragement from some fellow SF Canada members, I participated in NaNoWriMo in November—not working on one specific project, but trying to make progress on some short stories and a poetry collection. Though I didn’t hit the NaNoWriMo target of 50,000 words, I did manage to more than triple my usual monthly output by writing more than 30,000 words, which I count as a success! I got the base draft completed for two novelettes as well as a couple of re-drafts and a start on a collection of non-speculative haibun. Now to work on refinements. 

Recent Publications
A poem “Planets With Two Moons” was published in Spaceports and Spidersilk, Hiraeth Publishing, October 2020. 

My review of Ursula Pflug’s Seeds and Other Stories appeared on The Future Fire web site November 20. The link is below: 

http://reviews.futurefire.net/2020/11/pflug-seeds-and-other-stories.html 

Looking back on the books I’ve read over the course of the year, I’d say Seeds and Other Stories is up in my top three, along with Julie Czerneda’s Mirage and Nina Munteanu’s A Diary in the Age of Water.

What I’m Working On
During the next month, I’ll be refining and sending out some of the raw work I put together during November, as well as working on a submission for a specific call for 1960’s detective stories. Researching for that has been a lot of fun so far! Being born toward the end of the 1950’s, I was around for the ’60s, but have needed some fact-checking to fill in the blanks. 

I also have some book reviews to complete and submit.

Coming Soon
A handful of poems are due out in December, January, and February. More on those as they appear.

 

 

November 2020 Update

Lots of rain the past couple of weeks in our part of southern Ontario. Not to mention the first snowfall a couple of days ago. All the more reason to stay in and write!

Recent Publications
My short story “The Disconnect” was included in Third Flatiron’s Brain Games: Stories to Astonish (Third Flatiron Anthologies Book 28).

Four poems, “For Leonard,” “Ghost Planet,” “History Waits to be Written,” and “Wings of Wax,” were published in Stellar Evolutions, an anthology of stories and poems from the first fifteen issues of Polar Borealis Magazine. In total, the anthology includes 21 poems and 23 short stories selected and edited by RainWood Press Publisher Rhea E. Rose.

A poem “ABC’s of Sci-Fi Nightmares” was published in Polar Borealis, Issue 16:

http://polarborealis.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/POLAR-BOREALIS-16-Sep-Oct-2020.pdf

A poem “For Laika” appeared in House of Zolo Journal of Speculative Literature, Volume 2, available through Amazon.

A poem titled “Into the Sea” was published in Utopia Science Fiction, Vol. 2, Issue 2, October 2020.

A cartoon titled “Corvid” was published on the Funny Pearls web site, October 9, 2020:

https://funnypearls.com/2020/10/corvid-lisa-timpf/

My review of A.J. Hackwith’s Library of the Unwritten appeared in The Fifth Di..., published by Hiraeth Books, September 1, 2020.

A review of Suzanne Palmer’s Finder appeared on the New Myths web site, at the link below:

https://sites.google.com/a/newmyths.com/nmwebsite/books-we-are-reading/finder

I posted a review of And the Angels Sang by Lorina Stephens on Goodreads.

What I’m Working On
I’ve been continuing to work on short stories for send-out, while also reading through various resources on plot and theme. After some dithering, I opted to enrol in NaNoWriMo, thanks to a discussion on the SF Canada website. Rather than tackling a novel per se, I’ll be focussing on nature haibun, based largely on material drawn from canoeing/camping journals, and on science fiction short stories for various upcoming calls.

And, of course, I’m continuing to pick away at some book reviews I’ve committed to do. One of the books I read recently, Julie E. Czerneda’s Mirage, was a real gem. Since I jumped into the series mid-stream, reading Mirage inspired me to check out some of the previous volumes dealing with the central characters, and I liked those too! When I place the review, I’ll post information about where to find it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

House of Zolo Volume 2 and Stellar Evolutions now available

Just a quick note about two publications that include my work:

House of Zolo

The House of Zolo’s Journal of Speculative Literature Vol. 2 released October 21, with a special promotion making the Kindle edition available for free October 21-23 (it can be ordered at Amazon.ca or Amazon.com, depending on your location.) For a few days after the 23rd the Kindle ebook will be available for a reduced price.

The print edition launches on Friday October 23rd. Paperbacks will be available worldwide via Amazon, with other online and retail outlets bringing the book live throughout November.

My poem “For Laika” appears in this volume.

About House of Zolo’s Journal of Speculative Literature, Volume 2:

In this much anticipated second volume of speculative literature, authors examine relationships and how technology impacts our connections to each other, to nature, to space and time. The writing in this volume is often dark and rich in satire, yet there are many whimsical moments, and a strong undertone of irreverence. Writers deep-dive into challenging themes to bring us stories and poems that explore gender, immortality, the obsolescence of the human body, biohacking, decay, and the evolution of love in a transhuman world.

Stellar Evolutions available now

I also had the good fortune to have four of my poems included in Stellar Evolutions, the Best Short Stories and Poems of Polar Borealis Magazine's First Fifteen Issues, edited by Rhea Rose. The e-book is now available for order on Amazon.ca or Amazon.com. The Amazon.ca link is provided below:

https://www.amazon.ca/Stellar-Evolutions-Rhea-Rose-ebook/dp/B08KQ3F74G

Wishing both of these publications the best of success!

 

 

October 2020 Update

We’ve had some lovely fall weather in our neck of the woods in southwestern Ontario. Our small greenhouse is happily producing kale, carrots, and radishes and I’m getting ready to plant fall garlic outdoors. Still finding time for some writing, though, which brings us to . . .  

Recent Publications
A poem “The Further We Flew” was published in Space and Time, Issue 138, Autumn, 2020.

A poem “Laughter,” inspired by a news story, appeared in Third Wednesday Vol. XIII No. 4, Autumn, 2020.

A short poem [watching the Perseid meteor shower] was published on the Quatrain Fish site, September 2020, https://quatrain.fish/

My review of Depart, Depart, by Sim Kern, appeared on The Future Fire review site:

http://reviews.futurefire.net/2020/09/kern-depart-depart.html

A review of Nina Munteanu’s A Diary in the Age of Water was published on the Miramichi Reader site:

https://miramichireader.ca/2020/09/a-diary-in-the-age-of-water/

What I’m Working On
Progressing on some short story ideas, while continuing to read up on plot and structure.

From a review standpoint, I just finished reading an electronic copy of Julie Czerneda’s Mirage, Book 2 in the Web Shifter’s Library series. It took me a few chapters to get into it, but after that I found myself drawn along by the plot. I also very much enjoyed the humor. Will start on the review after I clear up a couple of others ahead of it in the queue.

Just started Archive of the Forgotten, second book in A.J. Hackwith’s Hell’s Library series. Having read Book 1, the characters and settings are familiar. Looking forward to getting further into it.

Coming Soon
I have four poems slated for publication in Stellar Evolutions, an anthology of stories and poems from the first fifteen issues of Polar Borealis Magazine. Stellar Evolutions should be available for pre-order starting October 15th, and available for purchase on October 31st. In total, the anthology will include 21 poems and 23 short stories selected and edited by RainWood Press Publisher Rhea E. Rose.

Until next time . . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 2020 update

Hard to believe the summer is almost over, although the trees have been reminding us of the in-creep of fall by dropping the odd leaf on the ground here and there for the past couple of weeks.

Recent Publications
A review of Lois Legge’s Wounded Hearts: Memories of the Halifax Protestant Orphans’ Home appeared on the Miramichi Reader site, link below:

https://miramichireader.ca/2020/08/wouded-hearts-lois-legge-review/

Toward the end of August, I also received my print copy of Star*Line Summer 2020, which contains abridged versions of my reviews of War, The Truth About Snails, and The Gates of Never. These reviews are available in their full format on the Science Fiction and Fantasy Poetry Association web site, listed under the year of publication of each collection.

My limerick [working out’s said to make you feel...] was listed as a runner-up for Saturday Evening Post May/June 2020 Limerick Laughs contest. You can find the winner’s limerick along with all the runners-up at:

https://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2020/08/may-june-2020-limerick-laughs-winner-and-runners-up/

What I’m Working On
Having managed to send out a few short stories for consideration in August, I’m continuing to work away at other stories for upcoming submission dates.

I also have a number of book reviews on the go, in various stages of progress. Among them is Nina Munteanu’s cli-fi novel A Diary in the Age of Water—a must-read for Canadians who enjoy speculative fiction and care about the future of the planet, if for no other reason than to heighten awareness of some of the water-related issues that might be looming for future generations. I’ve also got access to an electronic copy of Julie Czerneda’s Mirage. It’s been a while since I read one of Czerneda’s novels, so I’m looking forward to getting into this one.

As longer-term projects for my own writing, I’m putting together a collection of non-speculative haibun around nature/camping/canoeing. I also have a short story collection that I’m putting the finishing touches on, for submission in the fall.

So many ideas, so little time . . .

Coming Soon
I’ve received an acceptance for the forthcoming Third Flatiron anthology, Brain Games. I’ve had one short story and two humor pieces published in previous iterations of Third Flatiron, so I’m excited to add Brain Games to the list.  

Until next time . . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

August 2020 update

Recent Publications
My poem “Paws for Reflection” appeared in Thema, Vol 32, No. 2, Summer 2020, The Clumsy Gardener.

“From Cat, To Fiddle” (poem) was included in New Myths reader’s choice poll. 

What I’m Working On
Short stories have been the main focus for the past month. I am also working on a couple of collections, one poetry, one short stories, to send away for consideration.

I’m continuing to work on book reviews; putting the finishing touches on a review of Lois Legge’s Wounded Hearts: Memories of the Halifax Protestant Orphans’ Home for the Miramichi Reader site. I also have reviews of a couple of speculative poetry books on the go.

I’ve requested a review copy of David Gerrold’s recently-published novel Hella. Fans of Star Trek (Original Series) may be familiar with Gerrold as the writer of the classic “The Trouble with Tribbles” episode. While I read some of Gerrold’s fiction and non-fiction works in the distant past, it’s been a long time. Looking forward to checking this latest one out.

 

 

July 2020 Update

Recent Publications
A limerick titled [with the lockdown] was selected as one of the ten winning entries for On the Premises mini-contest #45. This contest called for limericks about “how you feel about life today” in the midst of the pandemic. You can find my entry along with the other selected poems at: https://onthepremises.com/minis/mini_45/

A poem titled “Do Androids Dream, Indeed” appeared in Polar Borealis, Issue 15, June 2020:

http://polarborealis.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/POLAR-BOREALIS-15-June-2020.pdf

My review of Edward M. Langille's The Story of Lillian Burke was published in the Miramichi Reader online June 13, 2020. This story details the life and times of an American woman whose connection with Alexander Graham Bell's family brought her to Cape Breton on visits. It was here that she helped to establish a rug hooking home industry for the women of Chéticamp, Nova Scotia, providing a much-appreciated way of bringing cash income into their homes. A link to the review is below:

https://miramichireader.ca/2020/06/the-story-of-lillian-burke-by-edward-m-langille/

My review of Guy Gavriel Kay’s A Brightness Long Ago was included in Speculative North.

Reviews of The Truth About Snails by J.D. DeHart (Red Dashboard LLC, 2014) and The Gates of Never by Deborah L. Davitt (Finishing Line Press, October 2019) were posted on the Star*Line reviews site, and excerpts will be included in Star*Line Issue 43.3. A review of War written by Alessandro Manzetti and Marge Simon and illustrated by Stefano Cardoselli (Crystal Lake Publishing, 2018) will also appear in Star*Line 43.3, as well as ultimately appearing in full form on the online reviews site. To see the reviews online, click on the year of publication and search or scroll to the appropriate review. Link to the reviews site is below:

https://www.sfpoetry.com/sl/slreviews.html

What I’m Working On
I still have several short stories in process; trying to make progress as time permits. Also working through commitments for two additional poetry book reviews, and just received a copy of Wounded Hearts: Memories of the Halifax Protestant Orphans’ Home by Lois Legge for review.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 2020 Update

After complaining about the cold weather for most of May, the heat came with a vengeance in the third week of the month. Most of the trees are out in leaf now, even the late-starting oaks, and the modest vegetable garden we opted for this year is on its way—spring garlic, sweet onions, tomatoes, squash, and cucumbers among the offerings.

Recent Publications
Two poems, “Cardinal” and [online grocery order], were published online at quatrain.fish.

I also posted a review of Jack Campbell’s military thriller Ascendant on Goodreads around mid-month. Enjoyable book with characters I could root for in a worthy cause.

What I’m Working On
Still working on speculative fiction pieces, the odd poem, and book reviews—some speculative, some non-spec; some prose, some poetry. I am also working my way through the advice and the exercises in James Scott Bell’s book Plot and Structure. The more I delve into these topics, the more it feels like one step forward, two back with my writing, though I have faith that it will all work out in the long run. Oh, and just for fun, since the local library was offering on-line courses for free (not sure if they do this all the time, or just for the pandemic) I signed up for a drawing course, since I have some ideas for cartoons and want to improve my skills. So far, I've learned a lot!

Coming Soon
Though I’ve sent out a few poems during the past month, I've been mainly focussed on working on in-process speculative fiction pieces. Hoping to continue that progress in June.

My review of Guy Gavriel Kay’s A Brightness Long Ago will also be appearing in Speculative North in the near future.

 

 

 

May 2020 update

Since mid-March, we've been laying low due to the coronavirus. I have the good fortune of living on a spacious property where I can exercise my Border Collie without worrying about social distancing issues. She for one isn't complaining about the extra outdoor time.

Recent Publications

A poem entitled "Lorelei" was published in Polar Borealis: Magazine of Canadian Speculative Fiction, Issue 14, April 2020:

http://polarborealis.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/POLAR-BOREALIS-14-April-2020.pdf

My review of Zooscape, Issue 6, March 2020, appeared on The Future Fire's site, at the link below:

http://reviews.futurefire.net/2020/04/zooscape-6-2020.html

This online zine features anthropomorphic stories with a speculative flair; the issue I reviewed included both fantasy and science fiction entries. Worth taking a look if you enjoy this type of story. My personal favorite was "The Adventures of WaterBear and Moss Piglet."

My poem "No Fairy Tale World" was included in the 2020 Rhysling Anthology, which is issued by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Poetry Association. Work must be nominated to land in this volume, and it's the first time one of my poems has had the distinction of appearing in it, so I'm grateful for that.

What I’m Working On

Though I've been sending out poems through April, I've been mainly focussed on working on in-process speculative fiction pieces, and managed to send out several stories for consideration. Hoping to continue that progress in May.

Also in the draft stages of writing a review of How Rory Thorne Destroyed the Multiverse, by K. Eason.

April 2020 update

Recent Publications

"Hand-Stitched Love" was included in Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Magic of Moms, which was released in March. This story originally appeared in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Christmas in Canada.

A short humour piece entitled “Tipping Point” was printed in Our Canada, April/May 2020.

A poem titled “A Dish Best Served” appeared in Liminality, Issue 23, Spring 2020. Link: http://www.liminalitypoetry.com/issue-23-spring-2020/a-dish-best-served/

What I’m Working On

Plotting and writing short stories has been a focus for the past month.

I have two reviews in process, and two recently completed. In process are reviews of Deborah L. Davitt’s poetry collection The Gates of Never, and K. Eason’s novel How Rory Thorne Destroyed the Multiverse.

I finished reviews of A. J. Hackwith’s original and entertaining fantasy novel The Library of the Unwritten and the March 2020 issue of Zooscape, and sent them to possible markets.

March 2020 update

Recent Publications

My review of John Marrs’ near-future thriller The Passengers appeared on The Future Fire’s site on February 5^th. Marrs’ novel provides a thought-provoking and well-researched look at the possible perils and impacts of autonomous vehicles. Here’s a link for those interested:

http://reviews.futurefire.net/2020/02/marrs-passengers.html#more

A space opera short story entitled “Duplicity” appeared in Outposts of Beyond, January 2020, while a poem, “In a Minor Key,” was included in Spaceports and Spidersilk, February 2020.

A short poem [talent show] was included in Frozen Wavelets issue 2. Link below:

https://frozenwavelets.com/issue-2-1/sparse-wavelets/

Two short poems, [the enemy wakens] and [surrounded by frogs], were included in Scifaikuest February 2020 print edition.

A poem entitled “Altered,” inspired by a news story, appeared in Trouble Among the Stars, Issue 5, February 2019, https://troubleamongthestars.com/issue5/

Three poems, [zombie night], [hang time], and [scorched earth], were included in Star*Line 43.1, Winter 2020.

What I’m Working On

As noted last month, my main focus lately has been short fiction. Sent out a few pieces in February (including my first venture into Steampunk) and continuing to refine others for March sendout.

I’m also working on reviews of a couple of enjoyable and original novels I recently finished reading, How Rory Thorne Destroyed the Multiverse by K. Eason and The Library of the Unwritten by A.J. Hackwith. Deborah Davitt was also kind enough to send a copy of her poetry collection The Gates of Never for review.

February 2020 update

Recent Publications

Apparition Lit published my poem “At the Bleeding Edge” in January, 2020, while “Wings of Wax” appeared in Polar Borealis Issue 13, January 2020 (see links below)

https://www.apparitionlit.com/stories/at-the-bleeding-edge/

http://polarborealis.ca/

My poem “Boys of Summer” made its way into Third Wednesday, Volume XIII, No. 1, Winter 2020.

What I’m Working On

I’m still working on a backlog of short story ideas, and finding James Scott Bell’s How to Write Pulp Fiction and Erik Bork’s The Idea: the Seven Elements of a Viable Story for Screen, Stage, or Fiction helpful in identifying some of my past issues with plot development.

Working through these books has helped me break through a bit of a barrier. Here’s hoping that can be sustained, leading to more productivity on the short story front in the next few months.

Coming Soon

I have a few poems slated for publication in the next few months, including one entitled “For Laika” in House of Zolo, and a couple of items in Scifaikuest.

January 2020 update

Before I retired, I worked at a company that came up with a 2020 vision, laying out what they wanted to achieve by the time 2020 rolled around. As I recall, the plan was developed at least a decade in advance of 2020. At the time, that particular date seemed so far away, but here it is!

I've lost track of whether they actually achieved what they planned, but I do know that each new year brings the opportunity to start with a clean slate and with new goals. Looking forward to what might be accomplished in 2020.

Recent Publications

An article about growing seedlings appeared in Small Farm Canada. You can find the online version of the story here:

https://www.smallfarmcanada.ca/features/seedlings-sales-for-fun-and-profit/

Many thanks to the interviewees who generously gave of their time to provide information for this piece!

A poem titled "One Among Many" was published in Polar Borealis Issue 12.

Four speculative poems, [supply ship], [cleanup], [flashlight's beam leaps], and [tailgating], appeared in Scifaikuest, November print edition, Alban Lake Publishing.

Three poems, "Farming on Eta Four," [engrossed in the game], and [stale taste in the air], were included in Random Planets, published by Alban Lake Publishing.

A poem entitled "Flattened" was included Small Farmer's Journal, Vol. 43, No. 2.

My review of W. Michael Gear's space opera Outpost was posted on Goodreads, December 9, 2019.

What I’m Working On

Working on a handful of poetry submissions for submission in January. Also still plugging away at some fiction ideas.

Coming Soon

A poem entitled "For Laika" will appear in the House of Zolo in the spring of 2020. This is a reprint of a poem that originally appeared in Lynn River Review Vol. 3: Resonance, Renaissance.

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