Don't Forget the Winter Stories
The Long Haul
Eligibility Season Has Begun
I’ve noticed eligibility posts pop up on across platforms, which I have mixed feelings about. On one hand, huzzah! Yes, you should absolutely promote and be proud of your work. On the other hand, the year is not over! November still breathes, and December waits in the wings. There’s still time, whether it passes at the speed we want or not.
In 2022, I wrote about eligibility season for Book Riot:
There are pros and cons to posting/tweeting eligibility work and nominations in November, though. One con is that the attention given to these eligible posts neglect issues and work published in late November and early December. So keep reading those end-of-year issues and books published in November and December!
I’ve always tried to pay attention to November and December books, magazine issues, and individually-published stories, and this year hits close to home: I have two stories publishing at the end of the year, one in November (just this past weekend!) and one in December. My eligibility continues, which is a both a privilege (to have work publishing) and a worry. For me, I think it’s best to wait on writing my full eligibility post so I can link my stories.
In lieu of this, I am writing a SFF roundup of stories to read online for free for Book Riot in December. I hope to keep spotlight an array of stories, but especially stories that publish in the last quarter of the year. Be on the lookout for a Bluesky post from me seeking your recommendations, and you can certainly reply to this newsletter with recs, including your own work. Send links! I want to read about it!
My Latest Publication
On Sunday, Friction’s issue #25, Fairy Tales, released. I’m very excited to have my story “My Mother is the Water” appear in a table of contents stacked with some of my favorite writers (Kristina Ten! Olivie Blake! OMG!). You can purchase an issue here. “My Mother is the Water” is about a girl born of the lakes and is being called to them, though her aunt is heartbroken to lose her. This story is an ode to the lakes where I grew up as much an ode to aunts–our second mothers—and how we carry our loved ones with us as we evolve and grow into our fullest potential.
The Short Haul
I’ve read some fabulous fiction lately, novels and short stories alike. I will list some short fiction recommendations in a bit, but if you haven’t yet read/bought a copy of I, Medusa by Ayana Gray, do that right now. It’s a perfect book about power, purpose, and perspective when it comes to how those society marginalizes are portrayed as villains.
Here are some stories you should put on your TBR:
“Belly Full of Eyes” by K.S. Walker in 3LBE
“Baron Quits The Payloaders” by Renan Bernado in Escape Pod
“The Dragon and the Bog” by Sunwoo Jeong in Fantasy Magazine
“Bed Rot” by Sarah Chin in Okay Donkey
As always, take care of yourselves.