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Nebula Nominations, Solstice, and Other Good Things

2016 has been a shit year for far too many of us.  We all need good things.  Here are a few of mine.

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I have more than one Nebula Award eligible story for 2016.  They are, in no particular order:

GODFALL (GigaNoToSaurus, January 2016):

Godfall

TELLING STORIES (PodCastle #433, September 13, 2016, audio and text):

PodCastle 433: Telling Stories

IRIDESCENT (Triangulation: Beneath The Surface, Parsec Ink):

LOST IN TRANSLATION (Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine #63):
http://andromedaspaceways.com/shop/asim-63/

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I love the dark of the year.  Autumn is my favorite season, winter a study in chill contemplation.  I observe both the Winter Solstice and Christmas, both in my own fashion and for my own reasons, yet it is the Winter Solstice that brings the most joy.  It's my oldest son's birthday.  I honor bringing him into the world, the ups and downs, the joys and pains.  All of it.  He survived his first month of life, went to Japan with his dad when he was in high school, has a girlfriend, and works at the family game store.  His birth heralded a new chapter in my life, and mere words cannot express how proud I am of him.

Serious Ian is serious.
Serious Ian is serious.
In costume for teh Riise of Aesther LARP.
In costume for teh Riise of Aesther LARP.
Mother and son bondage, erm, bonding.
Mother and son bondage, erm, bonding.

 

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My youngest son, James, my Jimmer Jam, turned 20 this year.  This does not seem possible to me, not because of my own age but because I always supposed he would stay young forever.  He's grown from a child the doctor was certain would never walk or talk into a young man with energy to spare and an ability to communicate with words and signs.  We cherish our days with him, even those days when he wakes us at 3AM.

Hello, bright eyes!
Hello, bright eyes!
Yes, he really did sleep like that.
Yes, he really did sleep like that.
What I wouldn't do for that smile.
What I wouldn't do for that smile.

 

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Doug and I celebrated our 21st anniversary.  Our marriage is now old enough to drink!  I am the luckiest woman in my world.  I am married to my best friend, my confidant, my critic, my most enthusiastic fan, and my rock all rolled into one!

Everything I could want in a partner.
Everything I could want in a partner.

 

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My Hawaiian alt-history/steampunk novel was picked up for representation by Caitlin McDonald of the Donald Maass Literary Agency.  Keeping my fingers crossed.

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I enured the removal of a skin cancer and the plastic surgery that followed.  Not a big deal to some, but enough to inspire a new horror story that was picked up by Pseudopod to be published in March 2017

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I am taking chances with my writing, trying new things, changing up the game.  So many people say "write what you're good at", but if I only write what I'm good at then I never learn.  I am a writer whether I publish anything or not.

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I have a better understanding of my own mental health and self-care needs.  This may not make sense to anyone else, but it does to me.

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I am getting a new tattoo.  As I write this, the first half has begun to peel.  It looks horrid at the moment, but I can't wait to finish it.

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I know so many wonderful people.

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Life goes on.  So do I.

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