A new year brings a new opportunity to
hit “reset.” While I don’t engage in “resolutions” per se, for the past few
years I’ve started out with a set of goals for the year. For my writing
activities, this includes targets for submissions and acceptances of various
types of writing (poetry, creative nonfiction, fiction, and book reviews) as
well as any projects I’m considering, such as submitting short story
collections or working on a nonfiction book (both of which might be in the mix
for 2025).
For my nonwriting activities, it’s a
chance to review what’s important to me and how I plan to achieve it, like
staying healthy (which in turn means certain types of activities, like regular
exercise, are important). This year’s non-writing focus items will include
gardening (so fresh, organically grown vegetables are available), exercise
(which our dog, shown at top left, is all too happy to support when he’s not
napping), and activities to help bolster brain health.
On a different note, after pondering for
awhile, I’ve finally joined Bluesky. Looking forward to an additional way to
connect with other writers, and to let people know what I’ve been up to. So
far, so good!
Recent Publications
Fiction:
“The Mitten
Caper,” Havok, “Remember December,” December 23, 2024.
Nonfiction:
“Exploring
the Future, Close to Home,” interview with Timothy S. Johnston, published on
Interstellar Flight Magazine, December 2, 2024, https://magazine.interstellarflightpress.com/exploring-the-future-close-to-home-230bbe392295
“Outlook
brightens for Humane Society, help still needed,” Simcoe Advocate, December 19,
2024, https://www.granthaven.com/simcoe-advocate
Poetry:
“Sometimes Size Matters,” Solstitia, Issue 2,
Creepy Crawlies, December 21, 2024, https://www.fictionfanspodcast.com/solstitia
Reviews:
Lost and Found, by Jane Glatt, The Seaboard Review, posted
December 1, 2024, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/lost-and-found-jane-glatt
The Rainfall Market, by You Yeong-Gwang, posted on Goodreads
December 8, 2024, https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7067293483
“Small-Town
Gays and Triple Axels: A Review of I Hate Parties by Jes Battis,” Plenitude
Magazine, December 19, 2024, https://plenitudemagazine.ca/small-town-gays-and-triple-axels-a-review-of-i-hate-parties-by-jes-battis/
What I’m
Working On
As usual, I
have several book reviews lined up. I’ll also work in some time for short
stories and poems. January also tends to be a busy month for making various
venues aware of work published in 2024, for consideration for anthologies
and/or awards.
Coming Soon
I have a
number of reviews pending publication, so some of those will undoubtedly make
an appearance through January.
