November 2024 update

Each year, the Science Fiction and Fantasy Poetry Association hands out the Rhysling Awards, which are voted on by members, based on the speculative poems nominated and selected for that year’s Rhysling Anthology.
 
I’m honoured that my poem “The Day We All Died, a Little,” first published in Radon 5, received third-place honours in the Short Poem category. I always consider it a privilege to be nominated for the Anthology, let alone receiving an award. There were many excellent poems included in the 2025 Rhysling Anthology, which I would heartily recommend to lovers of speculative poetry.
 
In other highlights, I recently finished reading AJ Hackwith’s speculative novel Toto, which revisits the Wizard of Oz from the viewpoint of Dorothy’s feisty terrier. As anyone familiar with Hackwith’s Hell’s Library series might expect, Toto provides novel and interesting takes on old favourites, while adding new elements to the mix. I’ve submitted a review to a publication, and will let you know when the review gets published.
 
Recent Publications
Cartoons:
“First Day on the Job,” Little Old Lady Comedy, October 1, 2024, https://www.littleoldladycomedy.com/all-works/first-day-on-the-job
 
Fiction:
“Curiosity,” Interstellar Archives drabble anthology, Hiraeth Publishing, September, 2024.
 
Nonfiction:
“Fair Gardening and Homecraft Displays Impress,” Simcoe Advocate, October 24, 2024, Grant Haven News, https://www.granthaven.com/simcoe-advocate

Poetry:
“As for the Spoon,” Dreams & Nightmares 128, September 2024, https://dreamsandnightmaresmagazine.blogspot.com/
 
“Canoeing on a Day…,” “Canoeing on Perry Lake,” “Fallen Tree, Algonquin Park,” “Oceanside Camping in New Brunswick,” and “Springtime, Awenda Provincial Park,” published in Firelight & Footprints, Poetry From the Canoe and Campsite, Paddler Press, September 2024, https://paddlerpress.ca/product/firelight-footprints-poetry-from-the-canoe-and-campsite/
 
“Fantastic Yoga Sessions,” “Isn't Technology Wonderful,” and “A Touch of Home,” Eccentric Orbits 5, Dimensionfold Publishing, October 2024, https://dimensionfold.com/catalog/poetry-books/eccentric-orbits/
 
“[no pleading or parental scolding],” runner-up, Saturday Evening Post, July/August 2024 Limerick Laughs contest, posted October 28, 2024, https://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2024/10/july-august-2024-limerick-laughs-winner-and-runners-up/
 
“Time’s a Lousy Tipper,” Star*Line 47.4, Fall 2024, October 2024.
 
“Robin’s Rest,” Eye to the Telescope 54, Outlaws, edited by Melissa Ridley Elmes, October, 2024, https://eyetothetelescope.com/

Reviews:
A Grim Reaper’s Guide to Catching a Killer, by Maxie Dara, The Seaboard Review, October 4, 2024, https://theseaboardreview.substack.com/p/a-grim-reapers-guide-to-catching-a-killer
 
Necessary Poisons, by Andrea Blythe. Edited by Holly Walrath, Star*Line 47.4, Fall 2024, October 2024.
 
“New Book Makes Hope Swinimer’s Story Available to Young Readers,” The Seaboard Review, October 27, 2024, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/new-book-makes-hope-swinimers-story
 
“Two Nature-Related Books Worth Checking Out,” Lotus Newsletter, Norfolk Field Naturalists, October 2024.
 
The Wedding, by Gurjinder Basran, posted on The Miramichi Reader site, October 1, 2024, https://miramichireader.ca/2024/10/the-wedding-by-gurjinder-basran/
 
Wheeling, Yet Not Free, by Alan Katerinsky, Star*Line 47.4, Fall 2024, October 2024.
 
What I’m Working On
I’ve been continuing a focus on nonfiction pieces through the month of October, and that will likely carry over into November.
 
Coming Soon
I have two stories accepted for the November issues of Havok, “Who’s Afraid of the Big, Bad Wolf” (scheduled to go live November 11) and “The Memory of Flowers” (scheduled for November 22). While Havok subscribers have access to all the stories, stories are available for viewing by the general public on the day of publication, at https://gohavok.com/.