2022 Writing Wins & Awards Eligibility
14/12/2022
On this frosty Winter day, when the sun is more a figure of speech, let's talk about the short stories I've published in 2022 or are forthcoming in 2023.
1) 'The Mechanic' - science-fiction short story published in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, May/June issue (May 2022)
I sent this to F&SF, thinking it would be good to get that sub out of the way since they have a reputation for rejections arriving in less than a day. Then 250 days went by. And quite a few emails.
This story is very near and dear to my heart, with an aging female mechanic who risks it all to complete her last project. What the project is, well... you'll have to read to find out.
I love Diana Wynne Jones' Howl's Moving Castle because it shows an (albeit magically-aged) older woman who still has adventures. I wanted to try to write a character like that, who isn't incapable just because she's old. In fact, everything she's done has led her up to this moment.
In SFRevu Sam Tomaino said The Mechanic was a "Beautifully written story with a nice ending", and an IG fan said, "This is such a beautiful story! I read it a few days ago, and it still sings in my heart!"
I happened to use this in an application to the Arts Council of Ireland, who praised The Mechanic for "effective, suspenseful, engaging storytelling, distinctive, dynamic narrative voice and subtle, skillfully drawn world building." I'm so delighted, and still a bit in shock; thanks everybody!
🐉 Read the May/June issue of F&SF here!
2) 'Devil's Lace' - dark fantasy short story accepted for publication in Diabolical Plots (forthcoming 2023)
I am over the moon that my quirky The Seventh Seal meets fiber crafts fantasy story has found a home with Diabolical Plots. Imagine the famous chess scene with the devil, only instead, they're using crochet to decide the fate of Lucie's soul.
While I've never had to beat the devil at his own game (at least, not yet), this is a very personal one for me. Much of the relationship Lucie has to her Memere is based on my own relationship with my own grandmother. To this day, I call up my Memere and we chat about what our winter crafting projects are. She's doing pretty good at 98 years old.
✨ Check out Diabolical Plots here!
3) 'Cloud Cover' - science-fiction short story published in Paper Lanterns Literary Journal, Issue 10 (December 2022)
This is my second story published with the fantastic YA literature team at Paper Lanterns. Jamilla is working at the Cloud Store, where she sells captured clouds to elite clients. When the system breaks down, she finds herself in a race against time to save herself and a stranger from a storm front gone awry.
🌩️ Listen to me read the first page of 'Cloud Cover' here!
🧶 Read my first story with Paper Lanterns: 'Craft Your Own Adventure'
4) My story 'All that Glitters' was a semi-finalist in Cast of Wonders' Flash Fiction Contest VII
Flash fiction is so tough to write, at least for me, and getting an exciting, coherent story into 400 words was a challenge! While I didn't make it to the finals, commenters praised the story for "very vivid" and "original imagery" and "good descriptions of action". I'll take that as a win!
🎭 Check out Cast of Wonders here!
The year isn't over yet, and with a whopping seven stories out on submission, I'm hoping I'll get some yeas or nays back by the new year. That's said, I'm so grateful for all the opportunities I've had in 2022, and can't wait to see what 2023 brings.
May your season be merry and bright, friend. Stay safe out there. 🕯️