Another year done!
One of my Writer Land friends, Marissa Lingen, wrote in her newsletter recently about the dissonance of seeing colleagues post their year-end wrap-ups in November, when in her case, her publishing year isn’t done yet. I totally get tackling those posts early, especially since award nominations open before the year is over (I know it’s for logistical reasons, but also – dissonance! That’s going to be my word of the day) but even so, I’m with Marissa on this one. Do the roundup or whatever in January, instead of getting lost in the shuffle of everyone who does theirs early.
(Okay, this isn’t quite January, but maybe no one will notice. Dissonance? Okay, I’m done.)
This year was my busiest yet – which I’ve said before, so that’s not a bad pattern. Here are just a few highlights – not to say I don’t love everything I had published, but in the interest of focusing your attention, these are the pieces I feel were my best work, if you’re considering for awards or recommendations to your friends or your own amusement.
“Innocuous Comments on Muffins”
Stone Soup, October 2023 (creative non-fiction / Best Related Work eligible)
One of the hardest and most fulfilling things I’ve ever written, discussing the importance of baking, the support of my wife, and the lingering effects of my time in an abusive relationship. This one means a lot to me, especially with the comments I received from folks, especially men, who had been through similar experiences. Still tough for me to share and signal boost, but also a piece I’m proud of and hope reaches more people who need it.
“Birdbrain”
Translunar Travelers Lounge, Issue 9, August 2023 (short fiction)
Haven’t written about an aspect of teaching in a while – in this case, a tech teacher runs into a former student who’s convinced the forestry bot that helps him manage new greenspace was kidnapped. When the truth doesn’t quite line up, how do you help someone who’s an adult now, as opposed to an at-risk youth?
“Lost in Montreal”
The Librarian Card Catalogue, September 2023 (short fiction)
Todd Sanders at Air and Nothingness Press put together this third anthology of stories centered on The Librarian, an immortal character who travels time and space and always has the right book or knowledge to help someone in need. Card Catalogue is a legit box of cards, each with a flash story by a different author. Mine focuses on an up-and-coming theater star struggling after an adventure with The Librarian – but the Librarian isn’t one to abandon their friends.
Happiness is a Warm Gun 2nd edition
We Are Legion, October 2023 (game – TTRPG corebook)
Did you know I’m a massive fan of action movies like John Wick, Bullet Train and Die Hard? No climate fiction and soft feels in this game. You take on the role of a Maniac, and your party forms a team of violent crooks to find work, earn cash and try not to get killed. If you’re looking for a rules-light, action-packed TTRPG and don’t mind a little bloodshed, check this one out! Plus there are adventure modules available by Clinton Cronk and yours truly, with more to come.
“Merry F***king Christmas”
We Are Legion, December 2023 (game – TTRPG supplement)
Speaking of! Geoff Gander and I co-wrote this adventure for Happiness is a Warm Gun, and everyone who loves Christmas heists, Santa and zombies. Yep. All three feature in this adventure, where your party of Maniacs steal a doohickey from a successful tech startup, only to find out it makes imagination come to life. Too bad one of your crew has zombies on the brain…