Disquiet Reflections

I've just spent ten days working on my novel in São Miguel as part of the Disquiet Azores Residency.  The experience was a magical one, and I can only hint at how wondrous my time in the Azores was. 

Every day we gathered from 9am-1pm in the Jardim Botânico José do Canto to write amidst the gardens.  And in the afternoons, we traveled together to crater lakes, geothermic pools and a number of hikes that group leader Brendan Bowles insisted were simply walks.  The weather was lovely, the landscapes were transcendent, and the company was heartfelt and invigorating.  More than a few of those places will certainly be finding themselves into my book before I'm finished, I'm sure of it.  We also gathered for two collaborative readings, each anchored by one of our two writers-in-residence:  Erica Dawson & Helen Oyememi. 

Photos:  Writing view at the Jardim Botânico José do Canto .  View from the Rose Garden.  Poça da Beija (volcanic hot springs).  At my reading in the Ponta Delgada Public Library and Regional Archive.

Summertime Belongs to Queers

I'm the guest on the latest episode of Lit!Pop!Bang!

Episode Info:

Ep 1.7: Summertime Belongs to Queers!

Released July 05, 2018

This month, Cece and Anthony are joined by dave ring. In the episode, they discuss dave's newest project, editing the Broken Metropolis anthology for Mason Jar Press (6:45), representation in literature (14:15), dave's work with OutWrite DC (18:30), and microagressions (27:00). In the Pop! section, Anthony and Cece take on Elon Musk's views on Socialism (34:45), The Carters (39:30), and another Queer Eye update (54:00). Finally, in the Bang! section, dave rejoins the hosts to talk dream gay bar dates with deceased authors (57:30).

Futurescapes Reflections

I was lucky enough to spend a few days at Sundance Resort this past April as a resident of the 2018 Futurescapes Workshop.  We had at least three seasons over those three days.  The workshop was an opportunity to discuss craft and make connections with other speculative fiction writers.  I had the beginning of my novel-in-progress critiqued by a group led by DongWon Song, discussed query letters with a group led by Thao Le, and reviewed novel outlines with a group led by Fran Wilde.

The workshop held important moments outside of those formal activities too—an opportunity to play The Fall of Magic with Daniel & Lydia, beer-fueled discussions about writing with Jiovanna & Tiffany, general discussions essential to future American-Canadian writing retreat relations with Colleen, and many other lovely interactions with folks who also happened to have read all of the same books. 

Photos below:  Sundance was beautiful.  Jennifer brought Voodo Doughnuts from Portland. Hanging with Daniel & Jio.  Salt Lake looks like Mars. 

Announcing Broken Metropolis

I'm excited to share that I will be editing a queer speculative fiction anthology for Mason Jar Press called Broken Metropolis: Queer Tales of a City That Never Was.  You can submit stories to be considered for the anthology here. 

Here is the full call:

SUBMITTING

Stories should be in standard manuscript format, i.e. double spaced, in a reasonable 12-point font. The editor has a fondness for Georgia. The story title, word count, and contact information should appear on the first page, and your last name, story title, and page number should appear in the header information of all other pages.

We will be reviewing submissions on a rolling basis until the anthology is filled. Acceptances will be notified within 60 days. Feel free to query after that.

WORD COUNT

We’re looking for stories under 6,000 words. 3-4,000 words is probably the sweet spot.

REPRINTS

We will not be accepting previously published work for this anthology.

THE CONCEPT

Metropolitan tales of city-focused fantasy with queer perspectives. Squalid flats, glittering spires, and alchemical trolleys. Manipulative heirs, handsome swordswomen and noble automatons. Write us something built with borrowed Bordertown DNA, purloined echoes of House Tremontaine society and stolen grit from the dark of London Below. Be inspired by Dhalgren by Samuel R. Delany, China Mieville’s Perdido Street Station, or “The City Born Great” by N.K. Jemisin.

WHAT WE WANT TO SEE

We are looking for stories that explore the edges of urban fantasy through queer stories. While the city these stories are set in should be vast and unnamed, highly specific neighborhoods and landmarks are encouraged and sought after. We welcome a broad interpretation of the genre that is inclusive of postmodern folk tales, future/ancient noir, and stories that happen both behind closed doors and in plain sight. Throughout, we’re looking for rich, varied and nuanced understandings of gender, family and ethnicity.

Please remember not to self-reject!

WHAT WE DON’T WANT TO SEE

Please no werewolf/vampire/dragon/elf stories unless you’ve really deconstructed the genre tropes. No spandex. We’re not interested in unexamined bigotry or sexual violence; pieces that include such should really be looking at the post-event experience of the survivors. Other genre elements from horror, science fiction or erotica are welcome in reasonable doses.

RIGHTS

We are seeking twelve months of exclusive worldwide print and electronic distribution rights and non-exclusive worldwide print and electronic distribution rights in perpetuity. Exceptions can be made for published stories that are then chosen for a "best of the year" anthology, etc.

PAYMENT

Accepted stories earn $.02/word plus a contributor’s copy for the original terms of the contract. Payment is within 90 days of publication.

EXPECTED PUBLICATION

We expect to publish this anthology in late July 2018.