Most of my week was spent at a conference in Chicago, so although I continued my 1000 words per day writing practice, I abandoned my editing duties. I now have 3 days until the deadline on the 10k Sword & Sorcery story and a week for my 5K spec fiction story submissions. The good news is that I have hit the 10k word count and editing is going well. Looks like I may just finish in time.
Meanwhile, my flash fiction Haven’t We Been Here Before was declined by Orion’s Belt, but the form rejection email came with a personal note attached: Please know that your story made it to Round 2 of considerations. Although we must decline your submission this time, we did find much to admire in your work. Intriguing premise, with a prescient sort of inevitability at the end despite the unfolding mystery of what’s been found and forgotten.
Appreciate the encouraging words.
The Muse Within Us is out. I’ve ordered my author copies. They are scheduled to arrive on June 23rd.
Today I published Dear Aliens on Substack. It is a flash fiction piece written for the Dear Aliens contest. The publisher requested all entries be sent via snail mail. Well, a funny thing happens when you address an envelope to Dear Aliens and send it across the border to the US. My letter was flagged and held by border security before being released.
An exciting adventure for a short little story. I thought it was a fun piece. Didn’t win, though. Didn’t even make the top ten. Ouch! I tried reading a couple of the stories that did crack the top ten. Couldn’t get far. Too bland. I guess the contest publishers and I have very different taste.
Well, here’s my take on the Dear Aliens theme:
https://brainsoupfic.substack.com/p/dear-aliens
Dear Aliens
June 12, 2026
