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.