Month: March 2026

News, updates, etc.

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First off, here is the cover for the Odysseus anthology I have a horror-ish story in. Look at it! It is gorgeous.

Flame Tree creates such pretty-looking books. I can’t wait to hold it in my hands and read the other contributors’ stories.

And yes I will be going to see the new Odyssey film in July, and I’ll expect my Greek-mythology-nerd kid to be nitpicking it the whole time. I will shrug and eat my popcorn.

I am currently making my way through the Sherlock Holmes-themed anthology I have a story in, and there is some great stuff in there, including a story in which Watson hangs out with Vincent Van Gogh. Mine puts two female characters at center stage and takes place in America, because the Hudson Valley region is gorgeous and because I said so.

There are other stories I’m trying to find homes for—fingers crossed as always. The short story I’m working on now seems more or less coherent, so I’m switching back to the fantasy novel for a while in order to make the rough draft less rough.

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In-person book events are a delight and wow is a strong internet connection necessary. That was my takeaway from a multi-author event last weekend. I showed up to surprise my author friend Lisa Fox, whom I’ve known so long we were editors at our college newspaper together. (She is awesome, check her work out.)

The place was busy! People are absolutely looking for that in-person connection with authors, if this event was any indication. A lot of attendees brought tote bags along for their purchases, which is a thing I should have thought of. I got to chat with a number of authors, always a pleasure, plus there was live music, author presentations, bookmark decorating, and food. And a mobile bookstore outside. Lots to do.

About that internet connection: No authors I talked to had credit card readers, and you can’t Venmo a payment if your phone isn’t getting a signal. I had some cash on hand, but my buying options were limited. This of course was probably better for my wallet. But I do like to support other authors.

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I don’t necessarily post something every time there’s an attack on Jews or synagogues because if I did, that would be the entire content of this blog, and I would be posting daily. It’s not just frightening, it’s exhausting.

But I will say this:

Twice in the past few months, I’ve donated money to a U.S. synagogue to repair or rebuild after it was damaged in an attack.

I’ve been walking past armed guards to attend services at least since the Pittsburgh synagogue shootings, and maybe before then. I expect I’ll be doing that for the rest of my life.

None of this is okay.

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In the meantime, I keep telling stories because that’s what I know how to do.

Have a good week, stay safe, enjoy the sunshine.

Still debating

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Here’s what it means to be a minority religion/culture within a majority society: Every time something is scheduled on one of your holidays, you have to decide whether it’s worth the pushback.

Purim began on Monday night (all Jewish holidays start at sundown, as does Shabbos). I also had a meeting on Monday night. I serve on the board of this group, and I already knew the meeting date couldn’t be moved. Attend the meeting or bail on it?

There’s a bit of a hierarchy of Jewish holidays, which is good since we have a lot of them. I would never do work, volunteer or otherwise, on Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur. Passover seders are supposed to be held on either the first or second night. Hanukkah is more of a minor holiday and also lasts eight days/nights, so I’m not worried about getting a celebration in.

Some of this decision-making depends on the person’s observance level—I wouldn’t take time off for Passover or Sukkot, but another Jew might, especially if they’re attending synagogue or hosting guests.

Still. Every time I have to make this type of decision, I think: If I don’t push back, am I making things worse for other Jews? Will people point to me as the reason why other Jews shouldn’t be accommodated for holidays? It weighs on me.

My interfaith-secularish family celebrates Purim our own way—we retell the story (using the goofball play I wrote), eat dinner, eat hamentaschen. I could do all that and then get to the meeting, so I did. Right decision? I’m still not sure. But it’s an ambiguity I’m used to living with.

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I’m pretty unlikely to weigh in on the current war here. Except to say this: Please get information about it from actual reporters. There’s misinformation and propaganda (and AI) spreading through social media, and a lot of it devolves into hatred, from all sides. Skip it and read real news publications.

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In writerly news, I’m expecting my contributor copy soon of a Sherlock Holmes-themed anthology I’m in, and yes I am nerding out about this. I’ve been a Holmes fan since I was a kid. In my story, Mary (Morstan) Watson doesn’t die but instead ends up having an adventure in America with Irene Adler. Super fun to write. You can find the anthology here.

Just putting it out there that I also love Star Wars and Critical Role, in case anyone’s looking for writers.

I recently submitted stories to two long-shot anthologies, like “here’s my lottery ticket!” kind of anthologies. I really like both stories, so we’ll see what happens.

In the meantime, I think my fantasy novel-in-progress is starting to look like something. Although now I’m not sure if this is one book or two. I would like this manuscript to make up its dang mind.

Hope good things happen for you this weekend. Stay safe.