We ended one year and began another, and I still didn’t know what to write for this newsletter.

I wish it wasn’t that hard for me. That I could simply begin writing about whatever I wished, and it would be enough. That a little voice didn’t get my attention with a polite little cough, and said, “well, you don’t think anyone actually cares, right?” Or, “Well, surely there’s stuff that’s real that you could actually be doing.”

I know that voice is wrong. But I still don’t know how to ignore him that well.

But I’m going to keep trying. I promise.

The last few months have, of course, been a whirlwind. Always is at the end of the year, and this one was no exception. The first semester of school ended, we hosted for the holidays, and welcomed the new year with a sigh and a hope for better. Of course, 2026 continues to hold many horrors, maybe not more than 2025, but different ones, and of urgency. If you have any ways to volunteer, donate, or contribute in some way to the protection of your fellow neighbors and shore up what democracy you can, I hope you do; we can’t always rise to the level we hope to, but we can always try.

Semester two has begun, and I’m beginning to really get into teaching in earnest. I’ll write about it more sometime. I’m finding my re-love of poetry a real joy, and I’m enjoying how difficult screenwriting is; when you write prose for your whole life, it is quite hard to get into a whole new medium. I’m doing my best to enjoy the challenge.

Life at the coffee shop remains delightful. The amount of snow we have been experiencing remains frustrating. The books, games, and dogs continue to be good, and the cats, of course, remain mysterious and aloof, just out of reach of our judgment, which is exactly where they should be. Cats, of course, give no damns for being good or bad, merely themselves.

Audition For The Fox garnered some really lovely praise at the end of the year. NPR, Elle Magazine, GoodReads, Library Journal, and others gave it a lot of love. For a book that I didn’t expect to make it over the fence into the next yard, I am amazed at how far this Fox has soared, and how people have been enjoying it. If you’ve read it, thank you <3

I’m working on an outline for the sequel which is basically Back To The Future II but with more dragons and less Biff.

I’m beginning to tinker on a shared project with writer friend, Brent Lambert; think fantasy Cold War and the folks doing their best to keep it cold.

I have two roads before me in terms of new projects, and as much as I’m trying to walk down both, I fear I’ll have to pick one. Luckily, I think it goes in a loop, so as long as I finish it, I can start on the next one.

I think I’ve figured out why these newsletters are so hard. I’m putting a lot of energy into talking and hoping that someone hears me. And that’s something I’ve been doing my whole life.

So, I’ll just have to hope you hear me. Whether you found me by chance or by choice, thank you for listening.

I will continue to do my best to make it worth it for you <3

Currently reading: The Rainseekers by Matthew Kressel

Currently playing: Mio: Memories in Orbit

Currently listening: Rocky Road To Dublin, (Sinners, 2025)