We’re here at the end of a long and brutish sort of year, and we had more funerals than I had story publications this year. (I wish that were hyperbole.) But as much effort as it consumes, it’s not a bad thing to look back and pick out the good things that transpired, right?

So let’s take a look.

Fiction

I had three pieces in 2025, and they’re interesting not only for running the gamut of positive/negative, but in that the newest story came out first this year. (Publishing is weird like that sometimes.) Of these, “In All Its Infinite Variety” is my personal favorite, but I’m proud of all three — even the sour lemon of “Apotheosis.”

Astute readers will notice that I hadn’t advertised “Variety” here yet — sorry! It took its bow over Thanksgiving, and I lost track of promotional things during the chaos of the holidays. The story’s nearly six years old, but I feel like it’s held strong this entire time. It’s also a sister-story, in thematics and shared universe, to “The Princess (NP)” — and I suspect I’ll revisit the Concordance again someday.

I’m not campaigning for any of these stories to be awards contenders, honestly. They’re good stories, but I don’t have the constitution of spirit to play those sorts of mind games this year. (Like I said: a lot of funerals.) Anyone who wants to add a nod on the Nebula Recommended Reading List (wherever the heck it’s gone)? That’s fine, and I thank you for thinking of me. But nominations… I’m not going to sweat this.

Poetry

A lot more news in poetry this year. The biggest news is Item 9, an actual chapbook with my name on the front cover. Most of the poems there aren’t precisely speculative (some of them flirt with it, and in some cases it’s less speculation and more metaphor). I suspect I’ll see if this is remotely Elgin-worthy — though for pages, it may actually qualify as a full-length and not a chapbook.

Everything else is, at your discretion, eligible for a short-form Rhysling, a Poetry Hugo, and/or a Poetry Nebula. My personal favorites are “Homecoming” and “Citation may be required,” with “Fire in the blood” (an older poem that’s found new resonance in a year of hard-hitting funerals) coming in close behind.

Inside WHILE CHANGING LANES, “Riddles of the wind” may be the best “spec” poem of the bunch. “A season for seasons” may be my favorite, though.

Did you have a favorite, long or short? Hit me up on social media and let me know!

Futures

What does the future hold? Hard to say, but I know the following to be true:

1. Kaleidotrope is going to put my poem, “Face to face” (think space ships v. Elder Gods), in their Winter 2026 issue, so look for that very soon!

2. Moonstruck Books is supposed to put out an anthology, CAZIMI ARK, next year, and my story “There’s Something In the Air” (think what if Alien, but clowns) will be in it! For those keeping score at home, this shares a universe with “An Acceptable Risk to the Portfolio” and “The En Croute Job,” and I think it’s just as funny (even if it’s played straight).

3. Star*Line acquired my poem, “Zeno’s Flood” (a free verse metaphor for that sort of relationship where you inch asymptomatically closer to getting it right), and that should bow sometime in the first half of the year.

4. Analog bought my story, “Camino Mundo” (think what if Ringworld, but westerns). I’m not sure if this will be 2026 or 2027, as the change in management has introduced complexity and uncertainty into the processes. News as soon as I have it, though.

I’ve signed up to try to write a poem a day for a year, which is going to be An Entire Thing. I’m also thinking that this is the year I launch a Patreon. Between sharing old poems, doing readings, doing explications of older stories that never quite worked, the requisite writing tips, I should have enough to keep things moving.

…and if I run out of ideas, there’s always kitten pictures.

For everyone out there who’s read any of the above, either in passing or enthusiastically: I appreciate your time and consideration. I wish you all the best in 2026; may we someday wake up in a world that has fewer surprises to it.

–Brian.