2025 was a quiet year of planting seeds, presenting at conventions like the Gen Con Writer’s Symposium, World Con: Seattle, and Game Hole Con while attending a writer’s retreat, House on the Rock, Paganomicon and Krampus Fest. Sometime in the middle of that I found out The Dagon Collection was nominated for a World Fantasy 2025 Award. Huzzah! I also traveled a bit to visit friends and family, too, and logged more hours in the dirt (gardening) and with my writing group.
Last year was intentionally quiet publishing-wise so I could shore up my part-time gig with Writing the Other, investigate opportunities for my prose, and identify what I need to continue making art in the volatile world of publishing. Luck, as it happens, is not the only thing needed for any storyteller right now. I’ve been quietly applying and looking at fresh creative (or creative-adjacent) opportunities to create more stability for my practice. Stability allows me to weather uncertainties occurring in publishing so I can spend my time on bigger projects. What I’ve heard from multiple sources is that publishers are erring on the side of caution right now for a number of reasons, and that’s extended the overall publishing cycle. Secondarily, both freelance writing and editorial gigs are being impacted and, in some cases, eliminated by generative AI programs.
Oh, I did write last year, but the words flowed more slowly than they typically do. For example, I wrote a dystopian science fiction novella about the intersection between AI, water abuse, and activism that’s currently on submission and pecked at a couple of short stories with my crit partner. I also worked with the fine folks at R Talsorian Games on UNTOLD TALES for The Witcher RPG announced at Gen Con. And, starting laying the groundwork for more of my own workshops, games, and supplements.
Overall, however, I’m okay. I needed last year’s trips and visits, but that kind of schedule isn’t sustainable. While I’m not pleased there are some pieces that are taking longer than others, I’ve got my whiteboard and a To Do list to that keeps me busy. If you do hear of opportunities that’d be a good fit for me, feel free to reach out!
Published Books in 2025
Following the success of my Tarot for Storytellers workshop at Gen Con, I released an expanded edition of Tarot for Storytellers: A How To Guide. Now available through DriveThruFiction!.
What’s next for me? I’ll be returning to the Gen Con Writer’s Symposium and Game Hole Con this year as a guest and presenter. For the rest, stay tuned and find out! For life in my world, you can subscribe to my newsletter. Cheers!
