January 2022 update

Not much to report on the publication front in December. However, I’m continuing to work on refining short stories and also have a few book reviews on the go at present.

Recent Publications

Poems:
“Over the Rainbow,” New Myths, Issue 56-57, December 2021, https://sites.google.com/newmyths.com/newmyths56-2021/issue-5657-stories/over-the-rainbow

Reviews:
Arthurian Things: A Collection of Poems, by Melissa Ridley Elmes, SpecPo Blog site, https://specpo.wordpress.com/category/reviews/

Fatal Depth, by Timothy S. Johnston, published in Shoreline of Infinity Issue 29

Zoey Punches the Future in the Dick, by David Wong, published in Shoreline of Infinity Issue 29

 

December 2021 update

During November, I participated in National Novel Writing Month (aka NaNoWriMo), although I made progress on a dozen pieces of short fiction rather than a novel-length work. As in my past attempts, I found that the challenge to work toward a set target (50,000 words for the month) and a commitment to writing daily made me push myself beyond what I would have accomplished just following my usual schedule, so I was glad I did it. I also reached the 50,000 word mark for the first time and wrote every day of November. I’ve already sent out five of the pieces that I was working on, and hope to refine the others in the coming months.
 
Recent Publications
A short story titled “Where the Hearth Is” was published in Tyche Books’ Home for the Howlidays anthology, edited by M.L.D. Curelas. I was thrilled to be included in this collection, which also features the work of a number of other SF Canada members, as well as some writers from the United States. You can find more information about this anthology at the link below:
https://tychebooks.com/howlidays
 
Two poems, “Surprise,” and “A Day at the Races,” were included in Scifaikuest, November 2021, print edition.
 
My poem “Tired of Traffic,” appeared in Spaceports & Spidersilk, October 2021.
 
On November 1, The Miramichi Reader posted my review of Sarah Tolmie's The Little Animals: https://miramichireader.ca/2021/11/the-little-animals-by-sarah-tolmie/
 
My review of Shapers of Worlds Volume II, edited by Edward Willett, appeared on The Miramichi Reader November 29, 2021:  
https://miramichireader.ca/2021/11/shapers-of-worlds-volume-ii-edited-by-edward-willett/
 
My review of Gary Morgenstein’s dystopian baseball novel A Mound Over Hell (first book in the Dark Depths series) was published on the Sports Literature Association’s web site: https://sportliteratureassociation.wordpress.com/2021/11/02/a-mound-over-hell-book-1-of-the-dark-depths-series-by-sport-by-gary-morgenstein/
 
What I’m Working On
As noted above, I worked on the first drafts of a number of short stories in November. During the next few months, I’ll be polishing these up for send-out to various venues.
 

November 2021 update

After spending part of October in preparation, I’m planning to participate in NaNoWriMo in November. I find that joining in this annual event helps to boost my productivity. Four of the short stories I worked on last November ended up finding homes, so for me at least involvement in NaNoWriMo paid off.

Recent Publications
Two poems, “When We Leave Home For Good,” and “Confessions of an Old Spacer,” were published in Polar Starlight Magazine of Canadian Speculative Poetry, Issue 3, October 2021. http://polarborealis.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/POLAR-STARLIGHT-3-October-2021.pdf

A poem titled “We Must Believe the Road Ahead Is Full of Light” appeared in Utopia Science Fiction, Vol. 3, Issue, 2, October/November 2021: https://www.utopiasciencefiction.com/product-page/oct-nov-2021-vol-3-issue-2

Two poems, “If Places Remember,” and “Good Reasons,” were published in Peach Velvet, Issue 10, Hometown Haunts hallozine ’21. “Good Reasons” was previously published in Contemporary Haibun Online. Link for Peach Velvet is below:
https://www.peachvelvetmag.com/fall-21

“In Other Words,” a reprint story that originally appeared in CBAY Books’ One Thousand Words for War, is included in WolfSinger Publications’ US/THEM, released October 31, 2021. Those interested in checking out the US/THEM anthology can take advantage of discounts as follows:

Smashwords: use the code LE32N for a 15% discount off the cover price of $6.95.
This code is part of the Holiday Promotion code set up for all WolfSinger Books at Smashwords and is valid through 1/15/22. The Smashwords link is: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1112780

Print copies can be ordered using the code Holidays2021 at the WolfSinger Books storefront (link below). This code provides a 15% discount and applies to all WolfSinger books including US/THEM. The code is valid through 1/15/22.

The link for the WolfSinger Publications storefront is https://www.wolfsingerpubs.com/shop
My review of Brian Van Norman’s Against the Machine: Manifesto appeared on The Miramichi Reader site, October 3, 2021: https://miramichireader.ca/2021/10/against-the-machine-manifesto-by-brian-van-norman/

I posted a review of A.J. Hackwith’s The God of Lost Words on Goodreads October 19. The God of Lost Words is the final installment in Hackwith’s highly original and imaginative “Hell’s Library” trilogy. You can find the review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4296495103

What I'm Working On
Through October, I spent a lot of time plotting rather than writing. In November, I’ll be focussing on fiction, including a short story for a submission call titled Pirating Pups, fleshing out some other short story ideas, working on putting together a collection of short stories for submission, and solidifying some ideas for a collection of flash humour pieces.

Coming Soon
A Quicksilver and Pepper story titled “Where the Hearth Is” is included in Tyche Books Home for the Howlidays, edited by M.L.D. Curelas. I’m not sure whether other authors have “favourite” stories among those that they’ve written but “Where the Hearth Is” is one of mine. I’m looking forward to reading the anthology, whose contributors include several other members of the Science Fiction Canada group.

October 2021 update

Cooler fall weather is a mixed blessing. It’s a relief after the heat we’ve had this past summer, but it also heralds the coming of winter and snow. On the other hand, more indoor time tends to mean more time for writing, so there is that.
 
Recent Publications
A poem titled “They Came” appeared in Black Cat Magazine, Issue 2, Apocalypse, September, 2021. Link as follows: https://www.blackcatmagazine.com/issues

Two poems, “That Championship Season” and “That One Guy,” were published in Rhyme and Rhythm: Poems for Student Athletes. Archer Publishing, October 2017, https://www.mojo.amncentral.com/product-page/rhyme-rhythm-poems-for-student-athletes 

I received an Advance Reader Copy of Miriam Toews’ Fight Night through NetGalley, and posted a review on Goodreads, as well the Miramichi Reader site. Links below.
 
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4215181000?book_show_action=false
 
https://miramichireader.ca/2021/09/fight-night-by-miriam-toews/
 
What I’m Working On
I’m finalizing the draft of a “Quicksilver and Pepper” story for submission to Rhonda Parrish’s Pirating Pups anthology.
 
Though I made progress on my book review stack during September, I still have a few to work on through October. I’ll also likely use October to do some advance plotting for NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) in November. 

Rather than working on a novel, I’ll be focusing on short stories. I did find that the word count challenges spurred me toward greater daily output. As an added bonus, five of the stories I worked on through last year's NaNoWriMo were accepted for publication. I'd be happy with similar success this year.

 

September 2021 update

Recent Publications

A poem titled “Just Another Quest” was included in New Tales of the Round Table. I really enjoyed reading this collection, which includes poems from several members of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Poetry Association, and was produced in my home province of Ontario.

Published by The Roasted Poet, with details at the link below:

https://www.blurb.ca/b/10783555-new-tales-of-the-round-table

A poem titled “This Future at Least Has Cows” appeared in Parsec Ink’s Triangulation: Habitats, (part of the Triangulation Anthologies), August 16, 2021. Like several other speculative poems I’ve written, this one was inspired by a news article.

Two poems, [leaving Earth] and [new planet, new nightmares], were published in Scifaikuest August 2021 online edition

https://www.hiraethsffh.com/scifaikuest-online

Two poems, [space station pawn shop] and “Nursery Rhymes for Changing Times,” appeared in Scifaikuest August 2021 print edition:

https://www.hiraethsffh.com/product-page/scifaikuest-august-2021-edited-by-teri-santitoro

A review of Outer Space, Inner Minds, a poetry collection edited by David P. Reiter, appeared on the SpecPo Blog August 14, 2021:

https://specpo.wordpress.com/2021/08/14/outer-space-inner-minds-a-review/

What I’m Working On
Rhonda Parrish has an anthology call pending for “Pirating Pups.” I couldn’t resist this one so I’m working on a Quicksilver and Pepper story to send in once the submission window opens. I’m also in process with a story idea for Microcosm’ Bikes and Books anthology, as well as finishing some pending reviews for various publications.

August 2021 Update

Recent Publications
A review of Emily Brewes’ The Doomsday Book of Fairy Tales appeared on the Miramichi Reader site, July 2, 2021:

https://miramichireader.ca/2021/07/the-doomsday-book-of-fairy-tales/

A review of Gary Morgenstein’s A Fastball for Freedom was posted on the Sport Literature Association’s book review site July 7^th:

https://sportliteratureassociation.wordpress.com/2021/07/07/a-fastball-for-freedom-gary-morgenstein/

A review of Sarah Tolmie’s Disease appeared on the Miramichi Reader site, July 22, 2021:
https://miramichireader.ca/2021/07/disease-by-sarah-tolmie/

A review of Julie Czerneda's Mirage appeared in Hiraeth Publishing's Shelter of Daylight, Summer 2021 issue (print):

https://www.hiraethsffh.com/product-page/shelter-of-daylight-summer-2021-edited-by-tyree-campbell

What I’m Working On
I still have a number of book reviews that I’m chipping away at. I'm also working on a short story for a call-out for an “Arthropod Anthology.” (This from someone who, as a child, was not a fan of spiders.)

Coming Soon
I have some poems scheduled to appear in Hiraeth Publishing’s Scifaikuest (online and print) in August, and some short stories and poems slated for publishing later in 2021.

July 2021 update

Summer is here, a traditionally busy time with gardening and other activities. Adding to that, the house seemed too quiet without canine company after our border collie Emma passed away in February, 2021, so we invited a new dog into the household back in early May. His name is Chet, and this photo shows him at 9 weeks of age.

Chet is a cocker spaniel/jack russell terrier/fox terrier mix. Up till now, he’s needed supervision during his waking hours, so keeping him out of mischief (more or less) is in turn keeping me busy.

Generally Chet's nap-time or a quiet moment during the day when he is occupied with a chewie or a toy is when I need to squeeze in regular chores, errands, and writing—which is why for now my writing activities have been somewhat curtailed. Happy to make the trade-off though!

Recent Publications
A poem titled “Better or Worse” appeared in Liquid Imagination, June 1, 2021:

https://liquidimagination.silverpen.org/article/better-or-worse-by-lisa-timpf/

A haibun poem titled “Canem Roboto” was published in New Myths Issue 55. This piece was inspired by a news article about the potential for using robotic fish and dogs for exploration:

https://sites.google.com/a/newmyths.com/nmwebsite/poems/canem-roboto

Two poems, [shapeshifters’ Hall of Fame] and [stood up at the altar] were included in Scifaikuest May 2021 print.

A poem titled “When Sports Get Strange” was published in Spaceports and Spidersilk, May 2021.

A reprint of a short story titled “The Open Road,” originally published in From a Cat’s View was included in JayHenge Publishing’s Joining Forces anthology.

My review of Manuel Panchana Moya’s The Nominal Echo Chronicles appeared on the Miramichi Reader site, June 11, 2021:

https://miramichireader.ca/2021/06/the-nominal-echo-chronicles-by-manuel-panchana-moya/

My review of a poetry collection by Amelia Gorman titled Field Guide to Invasive Species of Minnesota, was posted on SpecPo June 21, 2021:

https://specpo.wordpress.com/2021/06/21/field-guide-to-invasive-species-of-minnesota-a-review/

What I’m Working On
I’m still carving away at my review backlog as a number one priority. Hoping to continue to make a dent on that in the month to come.