The first cup of coffee in the morning Dryer sheets tumbling out of clean clothes The sweetness of kitten forehead, who loves to be kissed there

Today's the day! I have a horror story in The Quiet Ones 2025 annual anthology! Free at the link. :) www.wearethequietones.com/issues/octob...

Friends - I want your recommendations for lighthearted queer holiday stories! I loved Kiss Her Once For Me by Alison Cochrun and'Nathan Burgoine's Faux Ho Ho. (Think along the lines of One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston.) What've you got? Bonus points for ace representation!

When I say it's been a bit since I read X-Men comics, I mean it was the Age of Apocalypse.

For those who missed it, the Story Hour reading from last week was recorded - you can listen to me and @laurenparker.bsky.social read stories about salt and ominous birds (and tacos) here: youtu.be/GFu85wShG4w

On Spec is magnificent - I've read stories in their issues that will stay with me. Both times they published my work, the editor worked with me to do multiple rounds of edits to a highly polished final product. I'm so sad they're closing up shop, but I hope everyone goes on to wonderful things.

It's going to be a great time - come listen tomorrow night at 7pm Pacific!

The other evening, I had a wonderful time introducing @pronouncedlahra.bsky.social to The Magnus Archives. We listened to the first 2 episodes. I would like to thank @rustyquill.com but also formally apologize to my friends and family for my upcoming absence, as there are 5 seasons.

This pulled up a happy memory: I started reading horror because my godmother let me have access to her novels as soon as I snuck in and started reading. It's why I have a shelf of Bunnicula, Christopher Pike, and LJ Smith - so the kids in my life can find them one day.

Friends, who wants free fiction? Next Wednesday Oct 8 I'll be reading a horror story on @storyhour.bsky.social at 7pm Pacific! If you're interested in creepy birds, generational abuse, and why Nora's grandmother's house is strewn with salt, come hang out: www.storyhour2020.com #horror #livereading

Share your favorite black and white movie? Don't mind if I do: decider.com/wp-content/u...

@abigailkemske.bsky.social asked what comfort reads people turn to in times of stress - but character limits, so here's a thread. 1) A Psalm for the Wild Built - Becky Chambers A journey of personal discovery, but it's also a road trip story while the characters make tea. Gentle, kind, quiet.

In case no one has told you, the world needs your zombie story (and by the world, I mean me.) You should submit it here: twisteddreamspress.com/call-for-sub... Don't overthink it. Send it now (so I can read it in glorious paperback form.) #publicserviceannouncement @twisteddreamspress.bsky.social

Editing: the process of adding more words to a draft that is already ~1000 words too long.

Libby knows when your attention wanders - when you’ve spent too long in the dealers room, when you emerge with a book stack heavier than some house pets. When you put your phone down to read 1 chapter. Libby doesn’t share well. So it delivers 3 holds at once, to remind you of true devotion.#WorldCon

Who's going to WorldCon this week? I'm reading with Broad Universe on Wed and I'll be at the SFWA networking event - otherwise I'm trying to remember I can't actually attend EVERY panel. #broaduniverse #worldcon #firehoseprogramming Who wants to come hang out?

Ever wanted to hear me read one of my stories? I'll be at the Broad Universe Rapid Fire reading in Seattle next Wednesday (8/13) evening as part of WorldCon, so come hang out! Here's a link to the schedule in case the time changes: seattlein2025.org/program-and-...

The wonderful folks at Hicklebee's Bookstore in San Jose @hicklebees.bsky.social will order this in for you and ship it to your doorstep - I know, because they obtained a copy for me! Indies don't always have stock but they can make books happen for readers!

When we got a new high-sided litter box, I did not expect we'd purchased a new toy. The kitten is hanging over the side, digging madly with both paws, throwing litter everywhere. It's like watching a little kid with a treasure chest at a chain restaurant. Spoiler: that's not treasure in there.

Sometimes, you need a romp. This book combined sharp observations, gentle absurdity, and the warmth of community. This line slayed me, for all the times I've felt overwhelmed and still kept going: “We are who we had available.”https://lynnstrong.com/books/haroun/ #arc @lynnstrong.bsky.social

This was such a great anthology to be in - my story is kind of an HGTV project how-to for door hanging, only the door in question is supernatural. I read it aloud at StokerCon in San Diego with fellow table of contents author @randeedawn.com and had a great time! @cronegirlspress.bsky.social

Everything is more challenging when you have a kitten attendant. Sleeping past breakfast time. Putting on clothing uninterrupted. Walking across a room in a straight line. Sitting alone feeling sad and overwhelmed because your body isn't doing what you want. Kittens interfere with all of it.

Today is the day - my story "Fire Season" is available in issue 15 from Blood Tree Literature! 😃 It explores the aftermath of a fire, and is the lead-off piece of the issue! www.bloodtreeliterature.com/issue-15

I'm lucky because I'm not dependent on my writing to put food on the table or pay rent - but these folks that #itchio shadowbanned need visibility and sales in order to have food and shelter. The books can be purchased individually or bundled. #booksky #disabled #queersolidarity #makecensorshipcost

I'm late to my own party - just found a review from Tangent about my story Bargains: “...an unexpected gem. It’s a tale about loneliness, quiet courage, strength and pulling together... The end is the best kind" Pardon me while I just exult in the corner for a bit.

Happy news: my story "Fire Season" will be the lead off piece in Blood Tree Literature's issue 15! The issue will be available later this summer. I'll post again with the link once it's live. If you'd like a story now, I'm also in issue 5! www.bloodtreeliterature.com/i5-fiction/2...

Thanks to @lynnstrong.bsky.social for making me aware of the Queer Liberation Library, who are running a fundraiser right now to add more volumes to the virtual shelves: givebutter.com/Jr8Tfu

I have been remiss in mentioning my latest story in On Spec - a gentle contemporary fantasy story, faintly Hanukkah-flavored, about a woman who makes a faery bargain to save the retirees under her care after an ice storm. @onspecmag.bsky.social weightlessbooks.com/on-spec-maga...

Do you like stories celebrating queer love, fantasy, and fairy tales? If so, may I direct you to Orion's Beau? I have a story in the fall issue, about a vampire telling his boyfriend something important. Only it doesn't go as he planned... www.orionsbeau.com/fantasy-quar...

My #StokerCon book haul, which included 2 books hanging out in my buy-this-one tabs (and more!) that I'm excited to read. @dillonwylder.bsky.social @nvtran.bsky.social @tenebrouspress.bsky.social @joshrountree.bsky.social @hildur.bsky.social @sgj.bsky.social @victorlavalle.bsky.social

So excited to be reading a few stories in just under an hour with @randee.bsky.social, #sheldonhigdon, and #rwgoldsmith- come over to Salon A at 9am and hang out with us! #stokercon

Friends, are you attending #StokerCon this week? Come listen to me read two stories at 9am on Saturday! I'll be reading alongside @randee.bsky.social and two other readers, and it promises to be a spooky time. stokercon2024.sched.com/event/1dVQj/...

This is why I say please and thank you at Starbucks, and this is why it feels so crushing WHEN THAT BEHAVIOR IS NOVEL TO THE EMPLOYEES. This is everyone's first crack at today. Be kind, folks.

A major bookstore sent a list of "seasonal" books for Easter - but the only fictional rabbit I've enjoyed is Bunnicula (not on their list). So I'm making my own list of thematically appropriate reads. Start with @pronouncedlahra.bsky.social's story www.nightmare-magazine.com/fiction/what...

Congratulations to @rebelsam94.bsky.social, @rachelunger.bsky.social, @jduckwriter.bsky.social, @tobithedreamer.bsky.social, @wtalabi.bsky.social, @premeemohamed.com, @christinogle.bsky.social, @michaelwehunt.bsky.social,@sillysyntax.bsky.social, and @mariahaskins.bsky.social on the BFSA noms! 1/?

There's a very specific comfort in coming across a scene/character in a novel that shows the author loved Rebecca, too.

For anyone interested, I have a story eligible for awards in 2023: "The Lighthouse Used to Have Keepers" over at PseudoPod. pseudopod.org/2023/02/03/p...

I am at the part of the year when I want to close all of these tabs, sweep the pending papers/to-do reminder items on top of the desk into a box, and then take the box outside and set it on fire. It's probably time for a snack.