I’m thrilled to announce that my short story, High Time, is in the July 2025 Pen In Hand Literary Journal.
Tag: short story
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Mark of the Goddess Has A New Cover
It’s amazing how a few little changes can make a cover stand out. I love the way the jaguar’s eyes stand out. All I did was shift a few images, add more green to the top, and put the goddess mark on the M.
What do you think of the new cover for Mark of the Goddess?
(Side note: AI was NOT used to create this book cover. The photographers who took the base pictures gave permission for their use and are acknowledged in the book. The cover was created by using GIMP software, a graphics editing program.)
Sometimes a blessing can be a curse.
Young Maya bears the mark of the moon goddess, a sign that would doom her to be sacrificed in her village where the death god is revered. Forced to dye her golden eyes dark, Maya lives in constant fear of discovery. To save her family and the village’s future, she must find the courage to stand up to the high priest before he can bring the death god into this world.
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ConTinual Convention Hot Off the Press 81
Hot Off the Press
Authors and their new releases
Check out the latest Hot Off the Press at ConTinual’s You Tube channel.
“Hot off the Press 81 has a bit of something for everyone this Halloween season with new releases from Paige L. Christie, J.D. Estrada, John L. French, A.L. Kaplan, Gini Koch, Lucienne LeBeau, Patricia Sargeant, Marisa Wolf, and host James P. Nettles. Romance, mystery, sci-fi, fantasy, horror, poetry and short stories abound to load up your to-be-read pile!”
Sometimes a blessing can be a curse.
Young Maya bears the mark of the moon goddess, a sign that would doom her to be sacrificed in her village where the death god is revered. Forced to dye her golden eyes dark, Maya lives in constant fear of discovery. To save her family and the village’s future, she must find the courage to stand up to the high priest before he can bring the death god into this world.
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My Story In Pen In Hand Literary Journal
My story, Mathematical Shield, has been published in the latest
Mathematical Shield was inspired by Carrie Underwood’s song, Little Toy Guns. Every time I heard that song, I pictured this little girl doing math problems to drown out what was happening around her.
Check it out.
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I Am Officially A Full Member Of SFWA
For many years I’ve been working to earn a membership to the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA). Until recently, the only way to join was to be published by specific qualifying markets. Publishing today is a vastly different animal than it was even a few years ago. Many talented and highly successful authors have self-published or have been published through small presses. In March of 2022, SFWA updated is membership qualifications to accommodate this changing environment.
I am a science fiction and fantasy author who has been published through small press. (Star Touched – Intrigue Publishing & several anthologies through other small press.) I’ve also self-published some of my short stories. (Look for Mark of the Goddess this fall) Sales have been good, but with the old SFWA membership requirements I didn’t qualify to join.
I am happy to say that now I do.
On May 30, I received a wonderful email saying that my application was accepted. Welcome to SFWA.
I read this at 1:30 AM Sunday morning at Balticon. On Saturday, I had moderated a panel on Getting the Most Out of Your Writing Organization, where we discussed SFWA’s new changes. Most of the other people on the panel were already SFWA members and I mentioned that I had applied. Needless to say, after two days of excitedly greeting people I hadn’t seen in three years, and reading that email, I didn’t fall asleep any time soon.
My first instinct was to announce to the world. First, I wanted to tell my family and a few authors at the con who I really liked and respected. All of them were excited for me as I bounced up and down while sharing the news. (They could have been laughing, which is still okay.) Several gave suggestions on how to navigate this brand-new open door to resources and networking. There was one person who made it clear that they thought SFWA had lowered their standards to let the riff-raff in. I tried not to let that bother me too much.
Now I’m sharing this wonderful news with you. Sorry it took so long.
Happy writing and reading.
Sometimes it’s hard to be who you are meant to be.
Especially when your powers can get you killed.
Eighteen-year-old Tatiana is running from her past and her star-touched powers eight years after a meteor devastates earth’s population.
Her power to heal may be overshadowed by more destructive abilities. Fleeing the persecution of those like her, Tatiana seeks refuge in a small town she once visited. But this civil haven, in a world where society has broken down, is beginning to crumble.
Only by harnessing the very forces that haunt her can Tatiana save her friends…and herself.
Plagued by memories not her own, a young hummingbird struggles to decipher the visions and powers that set her apart from her fellow birds. But the road to awareness is fraught with danger that could doom her to repeat history.
One step toward understanding.
One stride toward survival.
One leap toward flying free from the past.
A Hidden Past – A Deadly Secret
Gifted with the ability to wolf-talk, Kara has lived with the wolves since she lost her memories eight years ago. Now at sixteen, snippets of her past send her searching for answers.
But the warm welcome she receives in the human village hides more danger than life with the pack.
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HUMMINGBIRD Gets Another 5 Star Review
Emily really enjoyed Hummingbird.
5.0 out of 5 stars Great descriptions!
Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2022
“Hummingbird has a great progression from beginning to end, with wonderful description and overall themes to guide us through the story. I loved the way this story was written and how impactful it was despite its short length.”
Did you get your copy yet?
Plagued by memories not her own, a young hummingbird struggles to decipher the visions and powers that set her apart from her fellow birds. But the road to awareness is fraught with danger that could doom her to repeat history.
One step toward understanding.
One stride toward survival.
One leap toward flying free from the past.
Sometimes it’s hard to be who you are meant to be.
Especially when your powers can get you killed.
Eighteen-year-old Tatiana is running from her past and her star-touched powers eight years after a meteor devastates earth’s population.
Her power to heal may be overshadowed by more destructive abilities. Fleeing the persecution of those like her, Tatiana seeks refuge in a small town she once visited. But this civil haven, in a world where society has broken down, is beginning to crumble.
Only by harnessing the very forces that haunt her can Tatiana save her friends…and herself.
A Hidden Past – A Deadly Secret
Gifted with the ability to wolf-talk, Kara has lived with the wolves since she lost her memories eight years ago. Now at sixteen, snippets of her past send her searching for answers.
But the warm welcome she receives in the human village hides more danger than life with the pack.
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Only One Day Left To Get A Free Copy of Hummingbird: A Star-Touched Story
Only One Day Left To Get A Free Copy of Hummingbird: A Star-Touched Story
The promotion ends Sunday, December 19th at 11:59 PM.
Plagued by memories not her own, a young hummingbird struggles to decipher the visions and powers that set her apart from her fellow birds. But the road to awareness is fraught with danger that could doom her to repeat history.
One step toward understanding.
One stride toward survival.
One leap toward flying free from the past.
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Get A Free Digital Copy of Hummingbird December 15-19, 2021 Only
To commemorate my first World Con, a digital copy of Hummingbird: A Star Touched Story will be available for free on December 15-19, 2021
Plagued by memories not her own, a young hummingbird struggles to decipher the visions and powers that set her apart from her fellow birds. But the road to awareness is fraught with danger that could doom her to repeat history.
One step toward understanding.
One stride toward survival.
One leap toward flying free from the past.
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Free Digital Copy of Hummingbird December 15-19, 2021
DisCon III is the third World Science Fiction Convention to be held in DC.
It’s also my first WorldCon.
To commemorate of this event, Hummingbird: A Star Touched Story will be available for free on December 15-19, 2021
Plagued by memories not her own, a young hummingbird struggles to decipher the visions and powers that set her apart from her fellow birds. But the road to awareness is fraught with danger that could doom her to repeat history.
One step toward understanding.
One stride toward survival.
One leap toward flying free from the past.
“If you read Star Touched, you’ll love Hummingbird. If you haven’t read Star Touched, now you’ll want to.”
~ Kathy Steinemann
“A delightful insight into the origins of one of my favorite characters in the Star Touched world!”
~ Maria V Snyder, New York Times best-selling author and PRISM Award Winner
“Set in the world of Star Touched, this short story puts the reader in the mind and body of a newly-hatched hummingbird. Except this is no ordinary hummingbird! Charming and captivating, and a must-read for anyone who loves watching birds.”
~ T. C. Weber, author of the BetterWorld cyberpunk trilogy and other works.
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MORE FIVE STAR REVIEWS FOR HUMMINGBIRD: A STAR TOUCHED STORY
I can say with certainty that this short but exciting vignette makes for a great read whether it is your introduction to the universe of Star Touched or if you are already a fan of the preceding novel. Author A.L. Kaplan crafts immediate intrigue in the first lines that holds your attention captive until the final words with an excellent pacing and a compelling atmosphere of some urgent mystery. I truly felt myself drawn into the perspective of the character, helpless to do anything but read on.
If you find yourself enjoying this taste of the lore of Star Touched, then you will surely enjoy the novel that started it! If you have already had the pleasure of reading it, then this brief return to that shattered world will have your heart racing like the wings of a hummingbird!5.0 out of 5 stars Creative short story
I love the creativity captured in the form of a hummingbird. The ups and downs of life in a small but fast creature, not sure of what may come next.
Order Your copy today
Plagued by memories not her own, a young hummingbird struggles to decipher the visions and powers that set her apart from her fellow birds. But the road to awareness is fraught with danger that could doom her to repeat history. One step toward understanding. One stride toward survival. One leap toward flying free from the past.
