My black and queer fantasy story “Sea, Swallow Me” is given the Lovecraft Reread treatment by the critic/authors Ruthanna Emrys and Anne M. Pillsworth. Thanks to them and Tor.com for putting new eyes on this piece.
The title of the piece comes from one of my favorite Cocteau Twins piece, and I always associate their heavenly music with the story, rather than Lovecraft (who probably wouldn’t be a fan of the homoerotic Negritude of the piece).
Back row (l to r): Sarah Pinsker, K. Tempest Bradford, Karen Joy Fowler, Maureen McHugh, James Patrick Kelly, John Kessel. Middle row: Richard Butner, Kelly Link ,Yours Truly, Jennifer Marie Brissett. Front row: Usman Malik, Christopher Rowe, Gavin J. Grant
I participated in the Sycamore Hill workshop this summer with some brilliant authors. 2019 Edition: Cover by Matthew Bright 2008 Edition: Cover by Thomas Drymon
The fabulously talented Melissa Scott put together a Storybundle for Pride Month is year. You get 4 eBooks for $5 for the basic Bundle. And for $15 you get 6 extra eBooks!
Main Bundle:
Scourge of Time and Space, ed. Catherine Lundoff
Sea Swallow Me, Craig Laurance Gidney
Underdogs, Geonn Cannon
Transcendent 3, ed. Bogi Takács
Bonus bundle:
The Eagle’s Heir, Jo Graham and Amy Griswold
Wireless and More, Alex Acks Wells
Skin Deep Magic, Craig Laurance Gidney
Beware of Wolf, Geonn Cannon
Glittership 2, ed. Keffy Kehrli
Spectred Isle, KJ Charles
Proceeds from the sales will go the Rainbow Railroad organization, who do important work relocating queer people who face persecution and violence all over the world.
From their website:
In countries all over the world, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI) people live in basic fear for their freedom, their safety and their lives. They often have nowhere to turn because their government and police not only tolerate but encourage this brutality.
Rainbow Railroad exists to help these people get out of danger to somewhere safe. In the spirit of and with homage to the Underground Railroad, the mission of Rainbow Railroad is to help LGBTQI people as they seek safe haven from state-enabled violence, murder or persecution. Through funds collected by people like you, we’re able to support, provide information, and help to arrange safe transportation for these LGBTQI people to somewhere in the world where they can live their lives in freedom.
I’m happy that both of my books are included. The Storybundle runs from June 5 to June 24. The link is here.
Balogun Ojetagde, Jeff Carroll, Gerald Coleman, Crystal Connor and yours truly. Photo by Scott Nicolay
photo by Tom Cardamone
Photo by Alexander Merati
2015 was very productive year
Ups include:
–SKIN DEEP MAGIC was on a couple of college syllabi, and I got to do two author visits with college students, and it was a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award.
–BEREFT, my YA novel about bullying, racism and homophobia, won a Bronze Moonbeam and a Silver IPPY Award
–I got to assist with editors choosing the fiction in QUEERS DESTROY HORROR.
–I got to go to WORLD HORROR in Atlanta, which led to several professional friendships.
–My novelette THE NECTAR OF NIGHTMARES was published and illustrated got good reviews
–My first collection, SEA, SWALLOW ME & OTHER STORIES was turned into an audiobook.
All are bucket list accomplishments.
Downs include:
The death of Tanith Lee. We used to exchange emails and she was very supportive of all of my work. I only met her once. We had planned a visit before her illness. I dedicated THE NECTAR OF NIGHTMARES to her.
Lethe Press just released my first collection, Sea, Swallow Me & Other Stories, as an audiobook. It’s narrated by performer (actor/singer) Steve Ryan and has a snazzy new cover.
