Hello, hello! I’m Courtney. I write grounded fantasy and horror. You’re probably here because you subscribed, but maybe it’s because of that snowman I painstakingly formed under the last full moon and sent flurrying out into the world… Whatever the case, glad you’re reading!

Not gonna lie. February was a whirlwind, y’all. Earlier this month I attended Boskone, where I moderated a panel on Podcasting as an Author, discussed Weaving Magic into the Modern World, and read my poetry alongside some phenomenal poets.

On the way home, while waiting for my delayed bus, I was notified that my poem, “Renfield at His Windowsill,” was nominated for a Rhysling Award! I’m honored and delighted and resolved to stop stopping myself so much. (Long story short: I didn’t write poetry for 10 years because I didn’t think I was good at it.)

Anyway, between my day job, my novel in progress, the horrors, and my efforts to persist and help others persist despite them, I feel like the rest of the month literally evaporated. So, I’m going to keep this short and sweet.

Updates

Work in Progress:

I think I’m writing a horrormantasy? I mean, I knew I was writing horror (or dark fantasy) with romance elements. I knew I wanted to explore and represent some of the intersections of asexuality and autism. I made a goal to write about desire in a way that feels authentic to my experience. But, still, I find myself surprised by how it’s coming together when I read back through.

I mean, look at these snippets:

Nat, my protagonist, is such an incredible and delightful weirdo. I love her, your honors.

Events:

• Catch me at Read Freely Fest in Columbia, SC in exactly one month! I’ll be chatting Bards, Mages & Sorcerers, Oh My with Maiga Doocy and Emily Krempholtz on Saturday, March 28th from 11:30-12:30.

• Then, in April, I’ll be giving at author talk at the Howe Library in Hanover, NH

February Recs

• I just blurbed Sylvie Cathrall’s The Art of Charming a Changeling, which is vibrant and winsome and delightful. As I said in the blurb, Florrie and Vern absconded with my heart. (I’m also very much in awe of the way Cathrall writes neurodivergent and ace-spec romance. I always feel so seen, even though I’ve never been a scholar on a water planet or a conservator with a thing for faerie art).

• I also very much enjoyed reading an eARC of E. M. Anderson’s The Lord of the Wood, which manages to mix coziness and love and horrors with panache. I adore a sibling story, and Arthur and Charlotte’s arcs are so lovely to watch unfold. PLUS! Cat companion! And sentient plant creature!

Thanks for wallowing with me,

Courtney