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Holiday horror short story published in Deathlehem anthology!
“The Fine Print,” my newest horror short story, is published in ‘Twas the Fright Before Christmas in Deathlehem, the 2022 holiday horror anthology from Grinning Skull Press! What’s it about? Thanks for asking! In the year since his daughter died on Christmas morning, Josh Fogarty has barely held himself together. As he weeps at her grave on Christmas Eve, a stranger offers him a sympathetic ear–and a tantalizing deal. It’s available in print or Kindle formats from Amazon. Grab a copy and ring in the new year with a good scare (or several). As with previous Deathlehem anthologies, proceeds support the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. And while you’re there,…
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Check out my award-winning mystery story, “Walk Me Home”
I have an award-winning mystery short story! My story, “Walk Me Home,” won the 2022 Jim Martin Memorial Short Story Contest from Arizona Mystery Writers. SQUEEEEEE!!! Hey, I did warn you of incoming SQUEEEEE-laden announcements. What’s the story about? Thanks for asking! Rachel, a nerdy, socially awkward college freshman, wants Robert. And tonight she just might get him.
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Writing news and the monthly book post
I have writing news! And I read some books! And it’s cold in Tucson! C’mon, at least pretend you’re excited. My delicate writer’s ego bruises easier than an overripe heirloom tomato. And if you humor me, you get memes. OK, fine, you get memes anyway. Let’s get this party started before I make a bigger idiot of myself. Welcome to the Weekend Coffee Share, hosted by Natalie the Explorer, and the What’s On Your Bookshelf Challenge, hosted by Sue, Donna, Jo and Deb. Grab a treat, have a seat, and let’s get to it.
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A visit to Sweetwater Wetlands, Tucson, Arizona
This week I’ll take you on a tour of Sweetwater Wetlands, another place here in Tucson that a) has actual water, and b) is not a swimming pool or a water hazard on a golf course. Last week we toured Sabino Canyon, so apparently it’s Water in the Desert Month here in my demented corner of the interwebs. I’ll also have the usual hot, fresh, batch of memes, but otherwise this post will be short, because I’m trying to get serious about completing the Novel Revision from Hell. After spending at least a year and being not even halfway done, I’m starting to understand why authors drink. I do have…
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Are holidays for rest or productivity?
I’ve spent the last few days on holiday planning. I’m an academic, and my university shuts down from just before Christmas till just after New Years, giving me ~10 days off during which I don’t have to monitor email or think about work in any way. I don’t have much family, so I don’t have holiday houseguests, and I’m not expected to travel anywhere. Yet I manage to stress about Winter Break every year. Why? Because overthinking is one of my superpowers (the others are being so lazy my FitBit thinks I’m dead and eating my body weight in Extra Toasty Cheez-Its). Before we get to my overthinking of Winter…
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Fall Color in Sabino Canyon
One of the best things about having a friend come to visit (besides, you know, enjoying the friend’s company) is the excuse to play tourist in your own city. My friend Arlene visited for a few days, during which we: I’m happy to report that we’re both now in excellent physical condition and have solved all the world’s problems. Hahahahahaha. Right. I’m actually happy to report that my pants still fit and my voice, legs, and hips still work. I’m calling that a win. Another win? Getting to see actual fall color and actual water, both of which are rarities in my adopted desert home. But before we get to…
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My Christmas horror story will be published!
My new Christmas horror story, “The Fine Print,” will be published in the 2022 Deathlehem holiday horror anthology! Actual footage of me seeing the acceptance hitting my inbox: I signed the contract this morning and am now basking in the warm glow of external validation. Also basking in the warm glow of a stomach full of pumpkin pie. Mmmmm… Now I need a nap. But before I take one: Welcome to the Weekend Coffee Share, hosted by Natalie the Explorer! Grab a slab of pumpkin pie and let’s chat!
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The monthly book post–and a great tool for readers
We’re talking books this week–what I’ve been reading, a nifty tool that lets you revisit your Kindle highlights, and of course the usual meme-y silliness. Oh, and weather bragging. We must have weather bragging. With apologies to those of you who live where winter exists: Feel free to gloat in June when it’ll be approximately 872F here in Satan’s Anus. Right now it’s my turn. Now that I have the weather bragging out of my system: Welcome to the Weekend Coffee Share, hosted by Natalie the Explorer, and the What’s On Your Bookshelf challenge, hosted by Sue, Donna, Jo and Deb. Grab a treat, have a seat, and let’s get to it.
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My poem won a prize!
Back in September I shared that my poem, “The Future Held in Store,” was a finalist in the Arizona Authors Association annual literary contest. Well… it won third place! I’m excited because I’m pretty inexperienced as a poet. This is the first time I’ve ever let anyone else read one of my poems, let alone submit one, so yay! I’m bummed I had to miss the awards banquet due to COVID exposure), but I didn’t get COVID, so that’s another reason to celebrate. And now I just noticed they put my real name rather than my pen name on the certificate. Oh, well. I have a little more news, a…
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The book is done* and the plague hath descended
If you’ve been hanging around here at all in the last few weeks, you’ll know I had a book manuscript due on Halloween. Well… It’s done!* *Except for one chapter that will be late because the original author bailed. **And the permissions issue for a figure that is requiring a last-minute edit to another chapter ***And any changes the publisher will request. ****And the marketing and promotion. But, yeah, it’s done! Woo hoo! I have a bit more news and the usual batch of memes, but first: Welcome to the Weekend Coffee Share, hosted by Natalie the Explorer! Grab a treat, have a seat, and let’s get to it.
Janet Alcorn
Suspense | Horror | Romance
