Goodbye, July!

I don't know about you all, but I am done with July and ready for August . . . .  

* My Camp NaNo experience was a good one - I came out a winner! My goal was less about the word count - 20,000 words, on the lower side for me - and more about achieving a sense of accomplishment, something I've been lacking lately. I'm not sure yet what exactly I'm going to do with this project, but those creative juices are sizzling away on that hot summer sidewalk in my mind. 

* I'm still aiming to get my 2nd flash fiction collection, Garden of Lost Souls, out this summer. I've been stalling for all kinds of reasons, but that stops here and now.

* I also need to make health - physical and otherwise - a priority this month. (More on that in August's IWSG post!) Once again, stalling for all kinds of reasons. Once again, that stops here and now. 

So, how was your July? Did you win Camp NaNo? Complete any other projects or achieve any other goals? What are your plans for August? 

A Flash Fiction Finalist!

It's no secret around here that I'm a big fan of literary agent Janet Reid's blog, and that I am a total sucker for her flash fiction contests. I enter more often than not, and even though my entry doesn't always garner recognition or finalist standing, I love the challenge, love stretching that creative muscle.

So, I was excited to see that my entry - "The creature leaves Janella gifts...." - was a finalist for last week's contest! Not only that, but all the finalists' entries received comments from Ms. Reid herself, saying why she enjoyed that piece.  

If you'd like to read my story and all the finalists, including the winner, click here.

If you'd like to see the contest details and read all the entries, click here. 

Coming Up Roses and Reflecting Pool - Nailpolish Stories

The July 2015 issue of Nailpolish Stories is live, and I'm happy to share that I have two stories published in it:

Coming Up Roses - a story of the survival instinct. 

Reflecting Pool - a story of loathing and of loss.

I hope you enjoy my stories as well as the entire issue! 

IWSG: The Dark Side

Click here for more information

I'm getting ready to release my second collection of short fiction, Garden of Lost Souls, and the nerves are jangling.

One reason is that it hasn't been all that long since I've truly and publicly (yeh, new blog header!) acknowledged my penchant for writing dark fiction and horror. Even though I've been writing it for awhile, I've always treated it as an acquaintance - one you shake hands with, not one you happily embrace. 

Sure, the previous collection is not all sunshine and unicorns but this one is decidedly darker. I wonder if I will lose readers who prefer some of my "lighter" stories? Will I gain others? Will readers familiar with horror stories mock my attempt to join the big boys and girls of the genre? 

I admit, I'm kind of scared. 

Ironic, isn't it?