Tag: joy

Magic of the Everyday, science, the dog, Writing

Writer’s Desk, 04/01/26

M.E. Garber

Out the Window: gray skies and rain, rain, rain. It’s either drizzling, or a steady downpour. The downpours, at least, come with the benefit that they sound lovely from inside, in the warmth of the house.

On the Desktop: a mug of hot, strong Irish Breakfast tea, black. On a day like this, what else would satisfy so well?

Today’s Work-in-Progess: I’m nearing the ending of my serial, Cryptic Kennels, and I’m thrilled with how it’s been/is going. The serial has taken longer than I’d thought, but part of that has been “life issues” (such as moving across the country), not that the story is fighting me. Actually, with all that mess of “real life,” without having made this a serial over at ReamStories.com, I doubt I’d be so near finalizing a first draft of this monster project. I’m glad I began my experiment with serial writing, since this one has brought me so much joy during this time of ongoing troubles and darkness.

So, yes. Today I’ll finish another episode, then move on to editing a short story or two, and perhaps even make it to submitting stories out to publications (and crossing my fingers for their chances).

And Another Thing: Yesterday brought severe storms lashing across this entire part of the state, and found us huddled in our basement during a 45-minute tornado warning. We were comfortable enough, but even in the basement, the sound of the storm raging outside was incredible! Fortunately, no tornadoes, although many around the area lost power. And then, this morning, I discovered that after we left the basement, rainwater found its way in. Ugh. Not surprising, given how much rain we got (and are still getting), but not a fun way to begin my day. As I type this, the dehumidifier is giving its all to dry everything out.

Obligatory picture of my dog, as she’s sleeping in an artful position on the sofa.

And A Final Thing: There’s supposed to be a historic rocket launch later today, with the launch window being 6:24 until 8:24 pm EDT. Fingers crossed that the Artemis II crewed launch takes place safely, and that we can proceed forward with the Artemis mission of returning humans to our moon. You can watch at NASA’s YouTube channel here. You know I’ll be watching (and bemoaning the fact that I can’t see it in person, as I’d have done before we moved up to Ohio).

Fantasy, sale

Sale News

M.E. Garber

It’s always a wonderful day when I can announce a sale. Which is what I’m doing now, of course–hurray! But this sale is something a little different.

See, I’ve sold a story to Liminal Tales, which is going to be read aloud during a theater event in the UK. I won’t be doing the reading (unfortunately it’s a bit of a commute from Ohio to the UK), but an actor will read the little story aloud for me. I’m hoping to get a link to the reading, so I can experience the final product. If you want a bit more about the venue, let me link you to the Liminal Tales site, where they have their various social media links, as well. Maybe you’ll want to follow them on Instagram? Or visit their Patreon page?

I’m not sure when my story will be read (neither are they, honestly–it all depends on all the other stories, etc., etc.) but you can be assured I’ll let you know when the story is read. And of course, if I’m given a public link to the reading, I’ll include that here, too!

Until then, I’m watching the strong winds blow away the gorgeously warm spring weather, and usher back in a freezing cold snap. Such is spring. At least I have good tea.

Magic of the Everyday, Nature, Nebula Awards, Personal Life, Quasar Conference, Writing

Thanksgiving Countdown

M.E. Garber

We’re definitely in the “planning for Thanksgiving” stage, with lists being assembled, decorating having begun, and cooking times and menus being shuffled and balanced. Last week, I raked leaves. Our new backyard holds a huge pin oak tree, which even now is holding some leaves tight onto its branches, while most other trees around us are skeletons against the turbulent and cloud-filled November skies. I’m sure another round of raking is in my future. Yet despite that, we’ve already had a snowfall and accumulation that stuck around for a day and a half–about 2-3 inches of the white stuff!–before the temps rose up into the low 60s and autumn returned. Quite an introduction to the shifting of the seasons!

The Victor

We also watched as two huge buck white-tailed deer, one an 11-point graying elder, the other a much younger 10-point, squared off in our side yard over a young doe, who lay patiently nearby awaiting the outcome of their testosterone fueled fight. In the end, the elder buck fled to the other side of our house, while the younger stared across the fence at his vanquished rival for a long while, making sure he understood where things stood between them. A few days later, however, I spotted the young victor limping across the backyard of the house behind ours, only lightly putting weight on one back leg as he went. Next I saw one of his huge and gorgeous antlers was broken just below the halfway mark. Car, or the next conflict that he badly lost? Either way, the elder buck knows, because I’ve seen him walking confidently about again, reclaiming his crown as reigning buck of the neighborhood.

The Elder, post-defeat

In writing news, this past weekend was the inaugural Quasar conference. The Quasars are the smaller, fall counterpart of the Nebula Awards Conference. Unlike the Nebulas, the Quasars are only online, and much more intimate. If you attended the Nebulas, you got free entry to the Quasars. If you didn’t, the cost was a mere $50, which felt like a steal after seeing the programming!

There were sessions on speculative poetry, on collaboration, on contracts, and on getting science right (done in collaboration with actual scientists and science writers!), anthologies and how editing (and submitting to them) works, YA SFF, and so much more. There was also an amazing interview with the current and immediate-past SFWA Grand Masters, which was so motivating. It was followed by the announcement of next year’s Grand Master, who’ll be inducted officially at the Nebula Awards in Chicago–N.K. Jemisin! What a great pick!

So yes, overall the Quasars were the exact right thing at the right time, infusing me with optimism and writing inspiration at a time of year when those are usually lacking for me. If you didn’t attend this year, you might want to put it on your “yes” list for next year.

Personal life has been hard of late, however. Lots of things piling up with various family members and friends and finances and such, and all of it has piled up and up until it sometimes feels like the world is trying to bury me. Which has, of course, led to yet another slowdown in writing, one that I absolutely hate but that exists nonetheless. (Another reason the Quasars were so good for me was that it helped counteract some of this.)

Still, I can see the ending of the year, and with it the hopes for a new year blooming, right there on the horizon. And with the new year, which dawns in darkness, comes time to renew, refresh, and reinvigorate for another push. Another attempt at attaining long-term goals. And of course the new year brings more joys, both the big ones that come with success, and the smaller, more intimate ones that come with simple enjoyments with partner, pets, family, friends, nature, and simply being alive.

Which brings me back to Thanksgiving. Acknowledging and giving thanks for all the beauty and wonders in my life. There is so much to be thankful for. Even in the dark there are stars, and the wonder of them hints at stories to be glimpsed or imagined. Curiosity and awe blossom within my heart at the very thought.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Good Books, review, sale

Sale News

M.E. Garber

Those are always great words to type.

I’ve made a sale to a market I’ve long wished to be published by, and therefore I’m extremely happy to announce that my story The Family Ghosts will appear in the June edition of Luna Station Quarterly! The story is a Southern Gothic fantasy that I wrote while living in Florida, and I truly love it, and am so happy to see it finding such a perfect home.

I’m even happier to say that another author I know will be appearing in the same issue with me. Louise Hughes will also be in this issue, and I encourage you to read her work both in the issue, and in other places as well, since I love her stories very much. Sharing a Table of Contents with your fellow writer friends and acquaintances is such fun, and even nicer when it’s someone who’s writing is as wonderful as Louise’s.

I’ll be back here giving you the “behind the story” bit once the publication is out. Until then, I hope springtime is treating you nicely (or fall, if you’re in the southern hemisphere). If the weather is a bit janky, don’t forget to read a book! There are some really good ones coming out soon, and tons more available now. Let me give you a small hint: I’m reading a review copy of The Lighthouse at the End of the World by J.R. Dawson, and it’s really good. Such lyrical prose, and two main characters who I emphathize with so very much. Also, Wearing the Lion by John Wiswell will be out soon, and is simply amazing! If you’re unwilling to wait, how about The Tainted Cup, by Robert Jackson Bennett? It’s a fantasy detective mystery with the wildest worldbuilding!

Until next time, happy reading.

publication, sale, Writing

Imminent Publication Announcement

M.E. Garber

Yes, there’s good news to share: I’ve signed the contract, so now I can shout it out that I’ve sold a story to Inner Worlds. The issue is expected to come out on November 30th, when you’ll be able to read my story, “A Meditation for Mars,” and the other wonderful stories in this issue of the magazine dedicated to writings about our inner lives.

I encourage you to click the link above and read the previously published stories–they’re lovely and wonderful. I’m so happy that one of my stories will soon be published amongst such fine company. And of course, I’ll post here with a link to my story (and this edition as a whole, too!) once it’s available.

Cryptic Kennels, Fantasy, Ream, Ream Stories, Writing

A Great Announcement!

M.E. Garber

The day is here at last, when I can share my good news. I’ve been working at this for some while now, preparing, getting things ready for this day, when I can announce my new venture, and officially launch…

…my author page on ReamStories.com!

Wait. What the heck is Ream Stories, you ask? Fair enough. Let’s back up a step. Ream Stories is a place where readers support authors whose work they enjoy. It’s sort of like Patreon in that regard, but Ream is only for writers and readers, so it’s optimized for fiction. You can read online, or you can save the app to your phone’s or tablet’s desktop and read released chapters easily in the app. It’s…like magic, but with technology.

Ream Stories isn’t just me, either. There are hundreds of other writers there, in many different genres, all writing tons of amazing things. And while Ream is fairly new, it’s already gotten quite a bit of traction. It has some great features already, and more are in the works. So I hope you’ll give it a look-see, kick the tires, and maybe try it out.

Oh, speaking of “trying it out,” let me tell you what I’m offering over there. I’ve decided to release my very first serial on Ream. It’s a cozy fantasy I’m calling Cryptic Kennels, and it has this cool tagline:


“Legends & Lattes” meets “The Dresden Files,” set in a kennel for cryptid pets.

The first few chapters are free for anyone to read, without even registering with Ream Stories. Then there is a chapter that’s only available for those who register, but is still free. The remaining chapters will be available only for paid subscribers, and those will release once per week, probably on Wednesdays because Wednesdays seem to need something to look forward to, don’t you think?

At the end of a novel’s worth of episodes, I’ll edit the whole thing into a novel, and subscribers will receive an ebook with their paid subscription. Afterwards, I’ll release it elsewhere for sale. So if you’re looking for some fun animal hijinks and Mortal/Fae interactions, all with a touch of magic and not too much darkness or gritty reality, this might be what you’re looking for. And if you subscribe, you’ll be able to read it before anyone else–and through the community there, you might even be able to influence the story itself!

Even if you can’t subscribe, I encourage you to “follow,” since you’ll still get notifications and messages, and who knows–maybe once in awhile I’ll give away a month of a free tier membership! I’m looking forward to seeing you over at my page at ReamStories.com, and hope you’ll take part in the community I’m building at the site.

Personal Life, Writing

New Beginnings

M.E. Garber

Here’s the thing about life. It doesn’t stop–not to let you grieve, not to let you bask in joy.

You may stop–or attempt to, at any rate. But the world keeps on spinning and moving, spooling out time in that one-way thread into the future. Which, honestly, isn’t always a bad thing, else we’d remain forever stuck in the worst of times.

Grief is hard. I’ve had a very miserable couple of months. Yes, there was some joy here and there too, but sorrow and loss lurked always just below that joyful moment’s glassy surface, waiting for me to forget their presence for too long so they could remind me how jagged and sharp they remained. My wounds aren’t visible, but they caused physical distress nonetheless.

Now, I’m emerging from that dark place, blinking my way into the sunshine and bright sunshine of the Florida early summer weather. How did I get here, again? Humidity and high heat during the day, then salad dinners followed by active evenings when the hard daylight relents and the nighttime breezes caress the skin with their soft, humid touch.

I’ve started writing again. It’s been slow getting started, but I am picking up some speed as “muscle memory” kicks in and I remember how to write words, sentences. How to craft a paragraph that leads to the future of the story.

And speaking of future… I have something new that I’ve been planning. Something I’ve been toying with for a little while, but have only recently committed to. No clues yet, just some mystery, for now. Sometimes a bit of mystery is good for the soul, I’ve found. I hope you agree, because for now, that’s all I’m handing out. Mystery, and mysterious smiles. At least I’m smiling.

And I hope you are, too. Be gentle with yourselves. Life is hard, so there’s no point in our making it harder on ourselves simply because we can. Relax your jaw, unclench your shoulders. Breathe. Enjoy a moment–enjoy being alive, even if somewhere “out there,” something is still hurting you.

{hugs}

food, Magic of the Everyday, publication, Writing

Writer’s Desk, 06/16/23

M.E. Garber

Out the Window: thick gray clouds with occasional bursts of bright sunshine, and tree limbs whipping in a 20-35mph winds! Also, it’s not too hot, but oh-so-very humid. Earlier I checked and saw 89F/feels like 103F — a perfect day to stay indoors, IMHO.

On the Desktop: a tall glass of cool water

Today’s Work-in-Progess: I got proofs for an anthology I’ll be published in later this year. But today, I get to check my story to make sure all is correct, in both the story and the headers for it. It’s fun, and amazing to also get to see all the names and titles of the other stories I’ll be keeping company with. I’ve already taken a peek, and let me tell you, when 99 Fleeting Fantasies becomes available, you’re going to want to get it. So much amazing!

After this, it’s back to the Plot Mines. I’ve reached the climax of my “next novel”‘s plotting, and now need to figure out how my poor beleaguered protagonist can get through this, and what happens once she reaches the other side. Which is kind of important, because this will dictate how the early scenes need to be set up to make the ending resonate, and let the reader feel satisfied by the ending. Sooooo, yeah. No pressure 😀

And Another Thing: Yesterday I found fresh and ripe apricots at the store–a real surprise that I just couldn’t pass up. So this morning was spent making apricot jam. Out of 9 jars, 6 “took,” while 3 get to reside in the fridge until we eat them up–on ice cream, in yogurt, on toast, in a jam crostata, layering a cake, or some other delicious way. Let me tell you, life is sometimes too yummy!