2025 Eligibility Post
Holy shit, I published a lot of stuff this year.
Five short stories, one commissioned short story, an essay pamphlet, an article with Writer’s Digest, multiple reviews and essays for Reactor, a coffee table book, and my debut book.
WHEW. I’m tired just reading that.
Of course, it’s the funny thing of doing all this work years and years ago, and having no say in when it culminates and comes together, only the gratitude when it does.
So here we are, two months left in the year, staring down the smoking barrel of 2025 and getting ready to talk about all the stuff you could possibly nominate me for, if wished it. Never any pressure, of course, but if you loved any of my work this year, I would, of course, be honored to be considered.
Please find below the work that is eligible for nomination:
Short Stories
We started the year with “Nothing Good Without A Price,” which appeared in Weird Horror #10, edited by the legendary Michael Kelly of Undertow. A second-person tale of security, horror, and what you’d endure to ensure the best. It was a Locus Recommended Story and was chosen as one of Alex Brown’s favorite stories of March 2025. You can read it here.
Next, my first Lightspeed story of the year, “The Price of Manners,” which appeared in Issue #180, edited by John Joseph Adams and Wendy Wagner. A fantasy story of magical tomes, the price paid to read them, and the cursed book desperate for a chance. You can read it here.
My second story at Reactor was next, “With Only A Razor Between,” edited by Ann Vandermeer. An older barber is forced to shave the neck of a fascist officer of empire, and must decide if he has any bravery left in him. You can read it here.
Not long after, I had my flash fiction piece, “Eight-Ball,” appear at Nightmare Magazine, edited by Wendy Wagner. Yes. No. Maybe. What does the eye on the back of her husband’s head say? You can read it here.
And finally, I had my fifth and final story of the year, “At The Bottom of the Bonfire,” appear in Lightspeed Issue #185, edited by John Joseph Adams and Wendy Wagner. Once you’ve burned one part of your life for power, what’s one more? You can read it here.
Commissioned Work
“Under Golden Boughs,” my contribution to Critical Role: Vox Machina — Stories Untold, released in March of this year. It is the origin story of The Sun Tree of Whitestone, and I’m so grateful to those who have read and loved it. Thank you as well to Sarah Peed and Dani Carr for their help in making this the best possible story. You can buy a copy here.
Critical Role: Armory of Heroes came out at the end of July of this year. An absolutely stunning hardcover coffee table book, I’ve been working on it since August 2023. Huge thanks to Sadie Lowry and Dani Carr for their editorial wizardry, and Ana Fedina for her truly amazing illustrations. You can buy a copy here.
Nonfiction
This Map Is Yours, or How Videogames, their Forms, and their Art Saved Me arrived from Calque Press in February 2025, edited by Marian and James Womack. You can order a copy of this chapbook here.
Books
Audition For The Fox came out on September 16th this year from Tachyon Publications, edited by Jaymee Goh. It earned Starred Reviews from Library Journal and Shelf Awareness and was a USA Today Bestseller. It is my heart in book form, and I’m so grateful for everyone who made the time to read it, and tell others of it. A dream came true this year, and I’m many things, but above all: grateful, always. You can buy a copy here.
Aaaaaaand that’s 2025! Wild, huh?
If you enjoyed any of my work this year and have the opportunity and desire to nominate them for an award such as the Nebula, the Hugo, etc., or include them on your Reading Lists, I would be incredibly grateful.
I don’t know what’s coming in 2026. As it stands, I’m hoping I can finish a few projects in the works.
More Nesi and Fox, including a screenplay.
A young, pissed off girl chosen to become an angel and ends up becoming something more.
A poor kid with a light spirit stuck in his brain realizing that living underground with giant war bats and mummified knights isn’t what you'd consider, “normal,” or “good.”
And you know . . . plenty more.
Thanks as always, y’all. Going to try and be more active here, and I hope you’re all warm, toasty, and taking care of yourselves and one another <3