Optimism, FTW!

I’m pleased to have a story in the fourteenth* of Exile’s anthologies, CLI-FI: Canadian Tales of Climate Change.

As the editors say:
With the world facing the greatest global crisis of all time – climate change…These stories of Climate Fiction (Cli-fi) feature perspectives by culturally diverse Canadian writers of short fiction, science fiction, fantasy, and futurist works, and transcend traditional doomsday stories by inspiring us to overcome the bleak forecasted results of our current indifference.

I hope my story, “The Weight of the World”, serves to inspire. Together, it’s not late.

*You can find another of my stories in Exile’s twelfth anthology, Clockwork Canada.

Where’s the beef?

Back in 2015, I had the privilege of participating in Bonnie Stufflebeam’s Arts & Words Show in Fort Worth, Texas.

I wrote a story based on the awesome painting shown above by Maria Ruiz. Both story and painting are titled “Alambre”. The word means “wire” in Spanish and also refers to a grilled beef dish–the double meaning becomes clear when you read my story.

“Alambre” is now up at Every Day Fiction. You can read it for free, vote on it, make a comment, and browse lots of other terrific flash fiction. It’s almost as much fun as a barbeque!

It’s no mystery…

…that police procedurals are a popular subgenre.

I wanted to write one set in a skiffy universe, and, for fun, I made it a world where surveillance is so pervasive that it’s almost impossible to commit a crime unseen.

The result is “Hat and Stick”, now out at Evil Girlfriend Media’s Speculate!

It’s a Jungle Out There!

I’m really pleased to have a new story out in the YA podcast Cast of Wonders. Wonderfully narrated by Amy Sturgis, the dinosaurs really come to life.

…Wait, did I just say “dinosaurs”?

I did!

Listen to the podcast (or read the text) of “The Jungle Between” here.

Train of Thought

There’s no question that railroads, and the construction of them, have laid tracks throughout Canada’s cultural heritage.
When I wrote “Blanche’s Last Spike” I wanted to recreate the complex and brutal situations made famous by Pierre Berton’s book. I also wanted to put a unique spin on it, bringing to light the hardships suffered by many marginalized people of the time. It’s probably the most horrific story I’ve ever written.
Issue #27 of Neo-Opsis contains this tale of misery, deprivation, and triumph against evil. Full steam ahead!

Photo from The Canadian Encyclopedia archives

Reality isn’t just all in your head

I don’t write much magical realism. Hard SF is more my style. But this little story wandered into my head one day and left rather large footprints.

It’s about self-actualization and overcoming one’s past. With citrus notes.

“The Scent of Hay and Oranges” is now up at Slink Chunk Press.

Flights of Fancy

Everyone has one ghost story in them, and this humorous one turns out to be mine. It takes place in a busy airport and is a monologue from an “average joe” type of guy. Why? Because TSA agents are people too. 🙂

“Half-Baked” is now up at Theme of Absence.