December 2025 Update: Interview with Su Sokol, and Other Items

 

As noted below, my review of Jay Ingram's The Science of Pets was published in The Seaboard Review of Books in November. It was a wide-ranging and fun read, written in Ingram's entertaining style. Love the cover, too!

 Hard to believe that it’s November already. As I draft this blog, the previous night’s snow is being slowly erased by a gently falling rain. Last night, the snow draped over the branches of the big white pine in the back yard was beautiful in the moonlight, but it was too good to last. The tree was likely grateful to rid itself of the burden, though.

Recent Publications
Cartoons:
“Pardon Me,” Little Old Lady Comedy, November 27, 2025, https://www.littleoldladycomedy.com/all-works/hx0zwhy8i7ajknacm7svsszyoutie6

Nonfiction:
“Hopepunk, Activism, and Community,” an interview with Su J. Sokol, published November 14, 2025, Interstellar Flight Magazine (on Medium), https://magazine.interstellarflightpress.com/hopepunk-activism-and-community-3dff91433803

Poetry:
[you promised to write], Dreams and Nightmares 131, September 2025, https://dreamsandnightmaresmagazine.blogspot.com/

Reviews:
As the Earth Dreams: Black Canadian Speculative Fiction, edited by Terese Mason Pierre, The Seaboard Review of Books, November 19, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/as-the-earth-dreams-black-canadian-speculative-fiction 

Becoming an Ally: Breaking the Cycle of Oppression, 4^th Edition, by Anne Bishop, The Seaboard Review of Books, November 19, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/becoming-an-ally-4th-edition-by-anne-bishop 

The Last of Its Kind, Sibylle Grimbert, The Seaboard Review of Books, November 10, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/the-last-of-its-kind-by-sibylle-grimbert 

Needy Media: How Tech Gets Personal, by Stephen Monteiro, The Seaboard Review of Books, November 17, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/needy-media-how-tech-gets-personal 

O Canada Crosswords Book 26, by Gwen Sjogren, The Seaboard Review of Books, November 24, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/o-canada-crosswords-book-26-by-gwen-sjogren 

The Science of Pets, by Jay Ingram, The Seaboard Review of Books, November 12, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/the-science-of-pets-by-jay-ingram 

What I’m Working On
Like last month, my expected focus is nonfiction pieces. That being said, that was my target last month and shortly after posting the blog, I had several idea for poems and short stories . . .

Coming Soon
On December 9, my flash fiction story “Saving TIM” will be available for viewing at the Havok Publishing site. While subscribers have ongoing access to the site, non-subscribers will be able to see the story on the publication date only. The monthly theme invited stories taking a multiversal look at Dicken’s character Ebenezer Scooge. My story puts a tech spin on Dickens’ tale, with TIM being a not-so-tiny computer.

November 2025 Update

As I draft this post I am looking through the front window watching leaves fall. Trees like the tulip tree shown in the photo have now lost most of their leaves. Soon it will be time to pack away the lawn mower, and already, we’ve moved the snow blower from the back shed into the garage. Like the outdoors, writing has its own seasons and I’m settling in for a stretch of non-fiction focus, though I will likely still write the odd poem or short story depending on deadlines and inclinations.

 

 

Recent Publications

Fiction:

"Dorian Gray's Rookie Card," Havok, Multiversal, October 3, 2025.

 

Nonfiction:

“Crafts, art, giant pumpkins displayed at fair,” Simcoe Advocate, October 23, 2025.

 

“Fungi the focus of Norfolk Field Naturalists’ hike,” Simcoe Advocate, October 9, 2025.

Poetry:

“My House on Mars,” Spaceports and Spidersilk October 2025, Hiraeth Publishing.

“She Does Not Look Back,” The Lorelei Signal, October-December 2025 issue, https://www.loreleisignal.com/she-dies-not-look-back

Reviews:

Five Points on an Invisible Line, by Su J. Sokol, The Seaboard Review of Books, October 29, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/five-points-on-an-invisible-line-su-j-sokol

 

“Habs Nation Provides a ‘People's History’ of Storied Team,” a review of Habs Nation: A People’s History of the Montreal Canadiens by Brendan Kelly, The Seaboard Review of Books, October 8, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/habs-nation-brendan-kelly

 

I’ll Get Right On It: Poems on Working Life in the Climate Crisis, edited by The Land and Labour Poetry Collective, The Seaboard Review of Books, October 27, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/ill-get-right-on-it-poems-on-working-life-in-the-climate-disaster

 

Just Call Me Andi: Sports Stories from a Trailblazer, by Andria Petrillo, The Seaboard Review of Books, October 15, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/just-call-me-andi-by-andria-petrillo

 

Lafleur: The Legend, by Steven Finn and Pierre Gince, The Seaboard Review of Books, October 13, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/lafleur-the-legend-by-steven-finn-pierre-gince

 

Origins of Desire in Orchid Fens, by Lynn Hutchinson Lee, The Seaboard Review of Books, October 20, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/origins-of-desire-in-orchid-fens-lynn-hutchinson-lee

 

Speculative Shorts: Stories that fell out of my brain, by Cait Gordon, The Seaboard Review of Books, October 22, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/speculative-shorts-stories-that-fell-out-of-my-brain-cait-gordon

 

What I’m Working On

I’ve been working on some book and anthology proposals, with some more work yet to do. I have some articles to complete, and book reviews on the go as well.

 

October update: Another anthology, some reviews, and an article on Jane Friedman's blog

For just over two years, I’ve been submitting stories to Havok, which publishes flash fiction, and I’ve had several stories published with them. From each month’s story selections, they pick a few to be included in the season-end anthology. I’m happy to say that my story “Mirror, Mirror,” which was published in August, 2025, was picked for the “Multiversal” anthology as one of the stories from the “Alice in Wonderland” theme. I’m looking forward to seeing the final anthology.

 

My short story “The Space Librarians’ Code” is included in Starship Librarians, edited by Shannon Allen and JR Campbell, released by Tyche Books, August 19, 2025. When I first saw the submission call for this anthology, I was really enthused about the premise. I wrote a story specifically with this anthology in mind, and was happy to see it included. More information about Starship Librarians is available at https://tychebooks.com/starship-librarians

Recent Publications

Cartoons and illustrations:

“Casketball,” Scifaikuest August 2025 print, https://www.hiraethsffh.com/product-page/scifaikuest-august-2025

 

Fiction:

“The Space Librarians’ Code,” Starship Librarians, edited by Shannon Allen and JR Campbell, Tyche Books, August 19, 2025, https://tychebooks.com/starship-librarians

 

Nonfiction:

“Anthology Editing: Advice and Insights from Those Who’ve Been There,” posted on Jane Friedman blog, September 2, 2025, https://janefriedman.com/anthology-editing-advice-and-insights-from-those-whove-been-there/

“Norfolk Field Naturalists host wildlife photographer,” Simcoe Advocate, September 25, 2025.

 

“Studio Tour Exhibition showcases artistic talent,” Simcoe Advocate, September 25, 2025.

Poetry:

“An Aging Athlete Holds Their Ground,” 2025 National Baseball Poetry Festival site, poem now available for viewing, https://baseballpoetryfest.org/adult-poetry-contest-recognition/

 

Though I didn’t make it to the event, I enjoyed the opportunity to enter my poem. Those interested in getting a sense for the Festival can check out their video at the link below (scroll down and hit 2025 Festival Highlights).

https://baseballpoetryfest.org/videos/

 

“In the Name of Convenience,” “One Down,” and “No Need to Worry,” Sublimation Volume 2, Issue 4, July/August 2025, theme: It’s Okay, I’ve Got a Backup, Island of Wak-Wak, https://www.islandofwakwak.com/sublimation-volume-2-2025.html

 

“Laika,” “An HR Dilemma,” Scifaikuest August 2025 print, https://www.hiraethsffh.com/product-page/scifaikuest-august-2025

Reviews:

Sisters of the Jungle: The Trailblazing Women Who Shaped the Study of Wild Primates, by Keriann McGoogan, The Seaboard Review of Books, posted September 15, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/sisters-of-the-jungle-by-keriann-mcgoogan

 

The Writing on the Wind’s Wall: Dialogues about ‘Medical Assistance in Dying,” edited by Kevin Andrew Heslop, The Seaboard Review of Books, posted September 22, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/the-writing-on-the-winds-wall-kevin-andrew-heslop

 

Wrestling with Cadence: Essays on Writing and Intuition by Dennis Lee, The Seaboard Review of Books, posted September 8, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/wrestling-with-cadence-by-dennis-lee

 

What I’m Working On

I’m working on a nonfiction book proposal idea, a concept for an anthology I’d like to pitch to publishers, and some articles, as well as the perennial book reviews.

 

Coming Soon

During 2025, Havok’s theme was stories based on specific characters, some made up by modern-day writers and some based on past classics. The theme for October’s stories is Dorian Gray, and my flash fiction piece “Dorian Gray’s Rookie Card” is slated to be published October 3. It will be free for anyone to view on the day of publication.

 

 

 

Another Review, and September 2025 Update

Thank you to Rhea E. Rose for her review of Cats and Dogs in Space in Polar Starlight, Issue 20 (link below). Much appreciated!

 

https://polarborealis.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/POLAR-STARLIGHT-20-August-2025.pdf

 

I'm deeply appreciative of all those who have taken time to review the book. It's always interesting to hear what different readers enjoy the most.

 

Recent Publications

Cartoons:

“Probably Not How it Happened: Writing Little Miss Muffet,” Little Old Lady Comedy, published August 14, 2025, https://www.littleoldladycomedy.com/all-works/8a45c7glr8k2idk8alk863z0ctgpd5

Fiction:

“Mirror, Mirror,” Havok, posted August 6, 2025.

 

“Tee Time,” Havok, posted August 27, 2025.

 

Nonfiction:

“Long Point hatchery gives turtles a helping hand,” The Simcoe Advocate, August 28, 2025.

 

“Perseid meteor shower continues until August 24,” The Simcoe Advocate, August 14, 2025.

Poetry:

“The Day of the First Mars Landing,” Polar Starlight, Issue 20, August 2025, https://polarborealis.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/POLAR-STARLIGHT-20-August-2025.pdf

 

“Zombie-In-Waiting,” Dreams and Nightmares 130, May 2025, https://dreamsandnightmaresmagazine.blogspot.com/

Reviews:

Great Silent Ballad, by A.F. Moritz,The Miramichi Reader, posted August 11, 2025, https://miramichireader.ca/2025/08/great-silent-ballad-by-a-f-moritz/

 

Invisible Line, by Su J. Sokol, The Seaboard Review of Books, posted August 25, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/invisible-line-by-su-j-sokol

 

On Book Banning, Or, How the New Censorship Consensus Trivializes Art and Undermines Democracy by Ira Wells, The Seaboard Review of Books, August 4, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/on-book-banning-by-ira-wells

 

This May Be the Year, by Carole Giangrande, The Seaboard Review of Books, posted August 18, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/this-may-be-the-year-carole-giangrande

 

What I’m Working On

I still have some reviews to complete (an ongoing activity). I am also working on a nonfiction book project, preparing a fiction manuscript and a poetry manuscript for submission, and continuing to make progress on some article ideas.

 

August 2025 update: “Canada” Released by Paddler Press

 

In July, Paddler Press released Volume 14: Canada. Four of my poems appear in the volume, including “This One’s for Sandra,” a tribute to Canadian curler Sandra Schmirler. Volume 14 is available for download at the Paddler Press site:

 

https://paddlerpress.ca/issues-trip-log/

 

Many thanks to David C. Kopaska-Merkel for his review of my poetry collection Cats and Dogs in Space. 

 

The full review is available on the Science Fiction and Fantasy Poetry Association web site, at this link: https://www.sfpoetry.com/sl/reviews/25reviews.html. An abridged version of the review is also included in Star*Line 28.3 Summer 2025.

 

Recent Publications

Cartoons:

“Flying North,” Little Old Lady Comedy, July 6, 2025, https://www.littleoldladycomedy.com/all-works/9znc356y6uy9b6haqyf2tcxqq5dvkr

Nonfiction:

“Alzheimer Society harnesses the power of music,” Simcoe Advocate, July 16, 2025.

 

“Butterfly count numbers align with 10-year average,” Simcoe Advocate, July 31, 2025.

Poetry:

“Dispassionate Dispatch,” “If a Robot Comes,” “The Ultimate Soldier,” Reimagined AI Volume 1, https://www.lulu.com/shop/achi-mishra/reimagined-ai-anthology/paperback/product-w4yr5pk.html?page=1&pageSize=4

“How to Watch the Perseid Meteor Shower,” Spaceports and Spidersilk June 2025, Hiraeth Publishing, https://www.hiraethsffh.com/product-page/spaceports-spidersilk-june-2025

“Love Poem for Mother Earth,” “How to Deliver a Eulogy for Your Older Brother,” and “Borrowed Molecules,” Samjoko Magazine, Summer, Issue V, 2025, https://www.samjokomagazine.com/summer-issue-v-2025

“Geography Lessons,” “A Most Unnatural State,” “This One’s for Sandra,” and “Same Song, Different Vibe,” Paddler Press: Peterborough/Nogojiwanong’s Poetry & Art Journal, Volume 14 – Canada, July 1, 2025, https://paddlerpress.ca/

Reviews:

Heal the Beasts: A Jaunt Through the Curious History of the Veterinary Arts, by Philipp Schott, DVM, posted on The Seaboard Review of Books, July 22, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/heal-the-beasts-by-philipp-schott

 

Sherlock is a Girl’s Name, edited by Narrelle M. Harris and Atlin Merrick, Canadian Holmes, Volume 48, No. 3, Summer 2025.

 

The She-Wolf of Baker Street, by Narrelle M. Harris, Canadian Holmes, Volume 48, No. 3, Summer 2025.

 

The Teachings of Mutton, A Coast Salish Woolly Dog, by Liz Hammond-Kaarremaa, with Coast Salish contributors, The Seaboard Review of Books, posted July 28, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/the-teachings-of-mutton-by-liz-hammond-kaarremaa

 

What I’m Working On

I’m continuing to work on book reviews (an ongoing project), as well as some nonfiction pieces for various markets.

 

Coming Soon

Two flash fiction pieces are due for publication in Havok in August, and will be free for viewing on the publication day only at the Havok web site. August’s theme for Havok stories is Alice in Wonderland. My story “Mirror, Mirror,” goes live August 6, while “Tee Time” will be published August 27, 2025.

 

Also coming in August: Tyche Books is releasing Starship Librarians August 19. My story, “The Space Librarians’ Code” is included. For those interested, pre-order links for the book include:

 

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/starship-librarians-shannon-allen/1147793141?ean=2940181645462

 

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/starship-librarians

 

Other (including Apple & Smashwords): https://books2read.com/u/meRnpR

 

 

July 2025 update: Chicken Soup Podcast, Baseball Poetry, and an Audiobook

A story titled “Going with the Flow,” about our Border Collie mix Sneeks, was included in Chicken Soup for the Soul: What I Learned from My Dog. Amy Newmark discussed this story, along with one other story from What I Learned from the Dog, on a recent Chicken Soup for the Soul podcast . You can find the link here:

https://www.chickensoup.com/podcast/

To listen to this episode, click on “podcast” in the upper menu, then click “Listen to the Chicken Soup for the Soul podcast.” Select “What a Clever Dog” from the episode list. Though Sneeks has been gone for a number of years now, it’s great to see that her memory lives on! Many thanks to Chicken Soup for the Soul for including this story in their podcast.

Thank you also to the National Baseball Poetry Festival, who included my poem “An Aging Athlete Holds Their Ground” among the poems to be recognized as part of the adult poetry competition. This was the third National Baseball Poetry Festival, held in early May 2025. For those who would like more information at the event, you can find it at https://baseballpoetryfest.org/

NewMyths has released an audiobook version of the Passages anthology, which includes my story “Roxy” and a poem titled “Fidelis Reinvented.” You can find more information here: https://www.amazon.com/Passages-Best-NewMyths-Anthology-I/dp/B0FC4L5C41

Also, Cats and Dogs in Space received two recent reviews. James Fisher of The Seaboard Review of Books on Substack reviewed the book, with the link as follows https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/cats-and-dogs-in-space-by-lisa-timpf. Nina Munteanu also posted a review at her site https://ninamunteanu.me/. Link to the review is here: https://ninamunteanu.me/2025/06/29/cats-and-dogs-in-space/. A big thank you to both James and Nina!

Recent Publications

Cartoons:
“First Contact Goes Awry,” Scifaikuest May 2025 print, https://www.hiraethsffh.com/product-page/scifaikuest-may-2025

Fiction:
“All Thumbs,” Polar Borealis Issue 34, June 2025, https://polarborealis.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/POLAR-BOREALIS-34-May-2025.pdf

Nonfiction
“Indigenous art exhibition opens at Lynnwood Arts,” “Senior Support Services offers a range of programs,” “Physiotherapist stresses the importance of staying active,” “You’re not getting older, you’re getting better,” Simcoe Advocate, June 5, 2025.

“Lynnwood Arts holds ‘doubleheader’ opening,” Simcoe Advocate, June 19, 2025.

Poetry:
[stuck in the past], Scifaikuest May 2025 print, https://www.hiraethsffh.com/product-page/scifaikuest-may-2025

“Ladder,” “Spider Webs,” “Winter Solstice Ceremony at St. Luke’s,” Sublimation 2.3, May/June 2025, A Midsummer Day’s Nightmare, https://islandofwakwak.com/2.3-a-midsummer-s-day-nightmare.html

“Last Stand at the Coffee Shop,” Solstitia Issue 3, Coffeeshop!AU, published June 2025, https://www.patreon.com/fictionfanspod/shop/solstitia-issue-3-1825862

“Tucking the Garden In at Night,” Still Points Arts Quarterly, Summer 2025, https://www.shantiarts.co/SPAQ/SPAQ58/files/timpf.pdf

Reviews:
Bruce Meyer: Essays on His Works, edited by Ben Berman Ghan, The Seaboard Review of Books, June 23, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/bruce-meyer-essays-on-his-works

Goalie, by Ben von Jagow, The Seaboard Review of Books, June 9, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/goalie-by-ben-von-jagow

Sacred Flute, by John C. Mannone, SpecPo Blog, posted June 25, 2025, https://specpo.wordpress.com/2025/06/25/sacred-flute-a-review/

Unravelling MAiD in Canada: Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide as Medical Care, edited by Ramona Coelho, K. Sonu Gaind, and Trudo Lemmens, The Seaboard Review of Books, June 30, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/unravelling-maid-in-canada-euthanasia

What I’m Working On
Lots of reviews and a couple of articles in the works, as well as some poetry for upcoming submission calls.

Coming Soon
Recently Tyche Books did a cover reveal for the Starship Librarians anthology, due for release August 19, 2025. Edited by Shannon Allen and JR Campbell, the anthology includes my story “The Space Librarians Code.” Looking forward to seeing the completed book!

 

 

Kay's "Written on the Dark" and June 2025 update

I recently had the opportunity to read Guy Gavriel Kay’s latest book, Written on the Dark. As always with Kay’s books, I found it intriguing. Written on the Dark is set on the same fantasy world as some of Kay’s previous works, including All the Seas of the World and A Brightness Long Ago.

 

As Kay notes in the acknowledgements section, this novel was inspired by Earth’s Renaissance era (particularly France in this case), though it clearly takes place in a different, imaginary locale, a world with two moons and unique geography, religion, and customs. The book also includes the presence of a Joan of Arc figure, albeit with a happier ending. Those who enjoyed Kay’s other books with similar settings should enjoy this one.

 

Also, many thanks to Nina Munteanu for her review of my speculative poetry collection, Cats and Dogs in Space. Nina’s review was posted on Goodreads May 4, and can be accessed at: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7543301522

 

Recent Publications

Nonfiction:

“Spring wildflowers abound in Backus Woods,” Simcoe Advocate, May 22, 2025.

Poetry:

“Earth Mother,” Forgotten Ground Regained: A Quarterly Journal of Alliterative Verse, Issue 6, Spring 2025, https://alliteration.net/poetry/earth-mother/

Reviews:

Corporate Control, by Nora Loreto, The Seaboard Review, posted May 19, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/corporate-control-by-nora-loreto

 

Homing: A Quest to Care for Myself and the Earth, by Alice Irene Whittaker, The Seaboard Review, Posted May 5, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/homing-by-alice-irene-whittaker

 

Indigenous Rights in One Minute: What You Need to Know to Talk Reconciliation, Bruce McIvor, The Seaboard Review, Posted May 26, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/indigenous-rights-in-one-minute-bruce-mcivor

 

A Kid’s Guide to Plants of the Great Lakes Region, by Philippa Joly, The Seaboard Review, Posted May 19, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/a-kids-guide-to-plants-of-the-great-lakes-region-philippa-joly

 

We, the Others, by Toula Drimonis, posted on The Seaboard Review, May 8, 2024, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/we-the-others-by-toula-drimonis

 

What I’m Working On

I have a couple of book proposals I’m working on. I can credit a Zoom call I had recently with a former colleague for getting me thinking along these lines again!

 

 

May 2025 Update

 

Chicken Soup for the Soul has featured the stories of hundreds of Canadians over the years—790, as of the release of What I Learned From My Dog last month. I’ve been fortunate to be included in the author list (8 stories in 7 anthologies). 

 

I just finished reading the recently-released Chicken Soup for the Soul: What I Learned From My Dog (which includes a story about my border collie cross Sneeks), and was impressed by the variety of themes and the emotional resonance of the stories included.

 

Recent Publications

Nonfiction:

“Art exhibit seeks ‘progress over perfection,’ ” Simcoe Advocate, April 24, 2025.

 

“Flying squirrels featured at Norfolk Field Naturalists’ talk,” Simcoe Advocate, April 24, 2025.

 

“Spring banding underway at Long Point Bird Observatory,” Simcoe Advocate, April 10, 2025.

Poetry:

“I’d Like to Go,” The Martian Wave, April 2025, Hiraeth Publishing.

 

“If They Call,” Star*Line 48.2, Spring 2025.

 

Reviews:

The Art of Floating, poetry by Melanie Marttila, The Seaboard Review, April 7, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/the-art-of-floating-poetry-by-melanie

Hockey on the Moon: Imagination and Canada’s Game, by Jamie Dopp, Sport Literature Association book reviews, posted April 25, 2025, https://sportliteratureassociation.wordpress.com/2025/04/25/hockey-on-the-moon-imagination-and-canadas-game-by-jamie-dopp/

Minimalism: A Handbook of Minimalist Genre Poetic Forms, edited by Teri Santitoro, Illumen, April 2025.

 

Pit Stops and Proton Beams, by Aurelio Rico Lopez III, Star*Line 48.2, Spring 2025.

 

Sign of the Dragon (print edition) by Mary Soon Lee, Star*Line 48.2, Spring 2025.

 

What I’m Working On

This year, I’ve been focusing on non-fiction and poetry, so I don’t have much fiction in the works. During April, I attempted the Poem a Day challenge, and managed to write thirty-plus poems, thanks to the prompts provided on NaPoWriMo and the Poem a Day Challenge (Robert Lee Brewer).