Hot Times, Back to the Aquarium and Sorting Things Out
My New Year’s Wish tag was JOY—and all I can say is that so far? That’s been right on! What a month!
I finished writing a short story, “Hot Times at the Dinosaur Bidet.” Set on New Year’s Eve 1999, everyone’s waiting for Y2K to happen (or not?)… but there’s something far worse out there, and it can’t be stopped. I submitted the piece to the intended market, which passed. I’ve already selected twenty places to send it to. I finished another short story that I can’t talk about because the market I’m sending to requires blind submissions.
Discovered that my story “All the Silent Nights,” for which artwork was commissioned, has been published in Christmas Spirits Volume 2. This collection of classically-inspired holiday ghost stories also features amazing art, and the volume is gorgeous, down to the glossy paper. Don’t miss this one. https://store.bookbaby.com/book/christmas-spirits-vol-2
34 Orchard was only open from January 1 – 10, and we’re only doing one call this year to shore up both 2026 issues. We only accepted fiction, no poetry this time. We received 1000 subs, and we’ve picked up a few for 2027 already. We got some great work, including a piece from Nepal! I can’t wait. I have to finish clearing out the inbox by Feb. 28. I still have a LOT to read! Our membership application was also accepted for the Community of Literary and Magazines and Presses.
I’d signed up to go back to volunteer at the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, and on Jan. 7 I got the email to attend an introductory session. Between 2001 and 2004 I served 1400 hours. Between 2015 and 2019 I’m not sure how many—I didn’t keep track—but this time around? It’s a brand new fresh start. No one I worked with is there anymore, and they’re now on a playing level with Mystic. I’m up for the challenge and got word that after my background check, my first day will be on my birthday, February 5.
The Dark Discussions podcast, on which I’ve been a part-time co-host for a dozen years, sees our 700th episode this year, and welcomed 2026 in the top 20% of most-listened to ’casts across all carriers. This is Phillip Perron’s baby, and he’s the reason it’s as successful as it is. Curious? Visit https://www.darkdiscussions.com/ This month, we taped episodes on Together, The Hem, and the 2025 Bucket List, for which I chose 2025’s Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Oval Portrait.” Rent that here: https://www.amazon.com/Edgar-Allan-Poes-Oval-Portrait/dp/B0FRB41GY4/
House news: I finally hung up some artwork in my office. Still more to hang! Also hung up some artwork down in the dining room. We’ve got a ways to go to reclaim this place, but we’re getting there.
A highlight was attending and presenting at the Winter 2026 Virtual Clockhouse Writers Conference & Retreat, in which Goddard MFAs get together and share info and inspo. It was a rejuvenating weekend of write-ins, prompt sessions, and workshops with like minds in a community that puts the stress on creation. I was honored to share the ever-popular The Architecture of the Manuscript Submissions Process, read a little of a new piece, and moderated a work-in-progress session. But mostly I just enjoyed everyone else. So much moving, powerful work. It was pretty amazing.
On the fun side, I re-watched childhood favorites: 1984’s V and 1983’s Wizards & Warriors. I’m reading How High We Go in the Dark by Sequoia Nagamatsu and King’s The Shining.
I closed out the month with a visit from fellow writer Trisha J. Wooldridge—we visited Stew Leonard’s (my every day, but a treat for her!) and visited Mystic Aquarium to see the mermaids.
Were there some downsides this month? Oh yes. There always are. I had to wear a glucose monitor to see if I was “on the cusp of diabetes” due to high triglycerides. It turns out that it’s all just due to the MCAS, and that any sugar spikes I’m having are basically due to how stressed I am. I’m upset? Here comes 250. I’m calm? Totally in normal range. A1C well into normal, fasting blood sugars normal. It just changes with trauma response. So… still working on that nervous system, but other than that, it’s all good. Can’t say it wasn’t scary since pancreatic failure is ultimately what killed my dad, but I think I got this.
Hope you’re having a great February!
HP Lovecraft Film Festival VIRTUAL starts this Friday 12/5!
I love cosmic horror—it asks so many questions and makes me think. I also love short films. So the H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival, going strong since 1995, is my jam! The streaming edition, which is always the highlight of my year, arrives this Friday, featuring over sixty short films, several full-length features, author readings, and panels (and a ticket purchase gives you through 12/12 to watch everything).
Hosts Gwen and Brian Callahan go above and beyond—the quality of this festival, from curation and content to pledge campaign rewards and collateral material—is top notch.
This year’s thirtieth anniversary theme is Cthulu on the High Seas, so in addition, some contributors to the Lovecraftian Microfiction/Challenge from Beyond books, which always accompany the festival, were instead asked to write an X-files-esque story surrounding The Emma, a two-masted schooner that plays into strange events in Lovecraft’s story “The Call of Cthulu.” There are stories by favorites like Cody Goodfellow and John Shirley, and my story “Compaction” is included too. The books will be on sale after the festival on Arkhaam Bazaar’s website.
If short films and cosmic/existentialist horror rocks your world, this festival is for you! You can purchase tickets for the December 5-9 (with extended time through Dec. 12), 2025 streaming event here: https://hplfilmfestival.eventive.org/passes/buy.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
I have so much to be thankful for this year—mostly, right now, the fact that I am back at home in Danbury for good, and some sillier things, like a new well pump, a new washer/dryer and a renovated laundry room. While these last two weren’t by choice (things break in a thirty-five year old house!), I’m really excited about them. I’m also grateful for a whole bunch of writing opportunities, editing jobs I need to finish, 34 Orchard, write-in sessions every weekend, and the Virtual Breakout Novel Intensive course I’ve been taking, which has gotten me back on the inspiration train.
And what I’m thankful for most of all are my husband Nathan and my housemate Charles.
All three of us wish you a wonderful time spent with those you love this holiday weekend!
Hi there–if you got some old posts, just delete…
Hello, subscribers to my blog!
I’m working on some site maintenance, and three posts that are between 7 and 10 years old were “republished” and went out to you all instead of being permanently deleted (which was the intent).
Thank you for your patience! I’ll make sure that doesn’t happen again.
Kristi
Creepy Abandoned Dinosaur Museum…
Not writing or reading related, but here at 34O we love our tales of all things abandoned. I came across this video of urban explorers visiting an abandoned dinosaur museum somewhere in China, and thought it might be of interest (and… what are the beds doing in the back rooms? WEIRD).
Enjoy!
Introducing DARKNESS MOST FOWL anthology and readings!
Sometimes birdsong is dangerous.
If you love 34 Orchard and you want a volume full of tales that carry our vibe, don’t miss Darkness Most Fowl from The Godmother of Horror Press!
This anthology was invitation only, and so writers we’ve recommended and several 34 Orchard alums build terrifying nests in this bird horror anthology! Edited by #7 “The Last Days”’s Elaine Pascale and featuring stunning art by Michael Takeda (#11, “Kintsugi”), others are Zachary Kellian (#6, “Shrike Song”), Die Booth (#1, “A Murder”), Ernest Ògúnyẹmí (#7, “The Flute”), Leen Raats (#8, “The Solitary Man”), Nicola Kapron (#3, “The Bodies We Should Forget”), Selah Janel (#5, “Mister Skinandbones”), Rob Frances (#4, “Everything Fits If You Push Hard Enough”), Robert Mayette (#8, “The Milestones on That Path”), L.E. Daniels (#8/“Weird Witness”), and ten other popular voices. From grackles and creepers to magpies and nightjars, these flights of dark fancy will claw your heart every time you hear beating wings.
In the mood to Read the rest of this entry
HAPPY RELEASE DAY! 34 ORCHARD ISSUE 12 HAS LANDED!
Thrilled to announce that 34 Orchard Issue 12 is here!
The twenty artists in this issue wander the corridors of longing, which is often considered a yearning for a person, object, or location. But it can mean so much more—and sometimes be the loneliest, most isolating emotion in the human experience.
As the purported “most wonderful time of year” approaches, for those who long for anything at all, it might actually be the darkest.
Welcome to the house so empty your own voice comes back to haunt you.
Welcome to 34 Orchard.
Get your copy at https://34orchard.com/issue-12/ today!
Once again, the ToC: Read the rest of this entry
Announcing 34 ORCHARD’s Autumn 2025 ToC—COMING MONDAY!
The ToC for 34 Orchard Issue #12, Autumn 2025, has arrived! The issue will be released this coming MONDAY, November 10, 2025.
In Issue 12, twenty artists wander the corridors of longing.
When we think of longing, we think of desire, nostalgia, hope, regret, tenderness, desperation, and resignation. But its power shouldn’t be underestimated—it can change the course of our lives. It can drive us to take a job or leave it, marry or divorce, cling to an addiction or let one go, end something or start something new—or, in my case, it can Read the rest of this entry
On my hometown’s green today for the LITCHFIELD COUNTY ARTISANS FESTIVAL
Today’s the day! So thrilled to be on my hometown of New Milford, Connecticut’s green with over a hundred stellar artisans and craftsmen.
I will have many copies of several of my titles, among them Out of Time: True Encounters of the Paranormal, which has true ghost encounters from the house I grew up in (and comes with a special something extra).
Consider spending some time here, get some cool gifts, eat from food trucks, hear live music…and find my space and say hello! Festival has done an amazing job preparing the ultimate hometown experience for you…don’t miss it!
