It’s been a little while since I’ve posted anything, so just in case anyone’s reading this, here’s a few updates from the trenches.

First off, I have a poem called “I Fight Monsters” that’s been slated for publication in Strange Horizons on May 8. I’ll link to it when it appears.

Second, I’ve been spending a lot of time the past few weeks on read-throughs of electronic galleys and the advance review copy of my first novel, Mouse. I’m pleased to announce that it’s going to be published later this summer by Prospective Press! Here’s the blurb:

Mouse wouldn’t be your first choice to stop the apocalypse. He wouldn’t even be his own.

“Primarily non-verbal,” his file says, “anxiety and communication difficulty, nevertheless considerably bright.”

The world’s too loud for Mouse, all his dials are set to eleven, and just talking—let alone making friends—presents a very real challenge. But for reasons he can’t imagine, a purple-haired punk named Bliss has Decided They’re Friends, and things—for once—are looking up.

Then, he meets a ghost and learns some magic, while an ancient cabal of alchemists and sorcerers alternately try to kidnap and enlist him—

Because, you see, he’s their last hope for saving the world, and the proverbial clock is ticking.

Mouse wouldn’t be your first choice to stop the apocalypse. But then, sometimes life makes these choices for you.

Right now the advance review copies are making their way to my readers, so I’m kind-of in a holding pattern while that happens. In the meantime I’m drafting two other (potential) projects, a sequel and an unrelated manuscript, and I guess we’ll see if and when I make any progress with those.

Thirdly, because I don’t have anything of my own to share, I want to plug the work of a good friend of mine.

Amelie Daigle is a native of New Orleans I know through Boston College. She has a poem in The Rising Phoenix Review that you need to read. Called “House Half Full,” it’s a meditation on Katrina and the guilt of landing on your feet when so many others didn’t. You should really go read it right now. Also check out her page while you’re at it.

Anyhow that’s all there is to announce for now. Further bulletins as events warrant.