Stories

Blogs about specific short stories.

Two stories out today

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Two covers

I am pleased to say that not one but two of my stories were published today. Horror story “The Annie Scam” is available to read for free at Electric Spec, and comedy ghost story “Life of the Party” is in Strangely Funny VIII and is available for purchase at Amazon. They’re very different stories, but I’m quite proud of both of them.

You can find links to them and all my published fiction on my Fiction page.

Eight Gunshots: Stories of the Wild West

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Eight Gunshots: Stories of the Wild West

About two years ago I noticed that there seemed to be few outlets for writers to publish Western stories, even though there seemed to be a demand for them. So, I got the idea to publish my own. I reached out to several people I knew would be interested in writing something, and they in turn recommended a few other writers. I also reached out to a number of artists I knew could provide excellent illustrations for each one of these tales. Two years and a number of hard lessons learned about self-publishing later, I am proud to say that Eight Gunshots: Stories of the Wild West is now available at Amazon.com in both print and kindle versions. You’ll find some excellent stories covering a wide range of viewpoints and story types in this magazine. You’ll even have the chance to read “The Sins of Peste Negra Rodriguez,” the story I wrote that started this whole journey.

Please pick up a copy if you have a chance. You’ll get some fantastic stories and you may even discover your new favorite writer.

The barbarian’s new home

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In early June I wrote about my decision to pull two stories from publication shortly before their respective anthologies were published. I’m pleased to announce that “Krarg the Barbarian vs. the Fair” has found a new home, and is scheduled for publication in KZine Magazine #31, due out in September 2021. KZine, you may remember, published my horror story “Code Gray.” I’m delighted to see my work return to this great magazine.

When the right decision is the hard one

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I had two stories scheduled to be published this month from the same publisher. I really liked them both and was excited for the rest of the world to read them. Two days ago, the publisher said shockingly racist things on the Internet. The books were initially going to be pulled from publication, then yesterday it was announced they would be held for six months. Last night I requested the stories be pulled from publication.

It would have been easy to say that what the publisher said wasn’t my fault, and neither I nor the other writers should be punished for something we had no control over. I could have left my stories there for quiet publication, accepting the credits but not promoting them. But I couldn’t be someone who says Black Lives Matter in one breath and then give my approval of racism through my silence in the next. Losing two story credits pales in comparison to the implicit and explicit pain that racism has caused and will continue to cause people of color across America.

Some say that people should be forgiven and allowed to learn from their mistakes. I completely agree. At the same time, I’m not the one whose race was denigrated. It’s not up to me to decide in this case if penitence is sincere and forgiveness has been earned. I genuinely hope this person does regret their actions and continues to better themselves and relationships between themselves and non-white people, but it’s not my place to decide if they have.

I don’t intend for this to be a moment of self-righteousness or to put a spotlight on my wokeness. All it is, is an explanation about a decision I made this week and why stories I have championed no longer have homes. I hope they do soon. But if they do not, I still know this was the only decision I could make.

Be well.