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The first short (very short) story I even wrote was titled "The Adventures of Space Cat". I was 6 and liked astronauts and cats. It was soon followed by "Space Turtle" and "Space Fly". Sadly, there was never a crossover story and worse, I seem to have lost some of those original manuscripts. I wrote stories throughout elementary school and even a bit in high school, but then there was a long drought.
Fortunately, my daughter—Ivy Ru—caught the bug and, thanks to her pushy driven and supportive mother (my wife), found a great mentor—Red—and started getting her own works published. Owing no small debt to that relationship, I was invited to submit a story and, bingo-bango, now I'm writing for publication!
You'll find a short but growing list of my works below, but before you scroll down, I want to share the advice we've given our daughter many times as we all marvel at the opportunities before us:
Always talk with people who are doing things you want to do. When asked if you'd like a try, say "Yes!", then deliver your best.
This story was my submission to the NYC Midnight 250-word microfiction challenge in November 2022. My task was to write a fairy tale within the 24-hour deadline that included the action "gluttony" and word "bark".
My story didn't advance me to Round 2 of the competition, but it did earn an honorable mention and respectable placement in Round 1. I think I'll go register for the next contest...
Young Onyx struggles to find a path to magic as he falls behind his classmates. If he can't, it likely means a joyless life as part of the circus.
Published in Otherworldly Volume 2 by Lucy's Lantern Literature, hosted by Nerd Street Books. It's available on Amazon, but independent authors make much more if you buy it directly from them, so keep your eyes open for local conventions and selling events!
In the meantime, please enjoy this excerpt from Onyx Shadowheart and the Book of Answers.
AND THE WITCH OF GWERSYLL WOODS
*Coming soon!*
Onyx and his friends visit the circus for a good time but struggle to keep the past from derailing a bright future.
Soon to be published in an expanded reprint of Otherworldly Volume 1 by Lucy's Lantern Literature, hosted by Nerd Street Books. It's available on Amazon, but independent authors make much more if you buy it directly from them, so keep your eyes open for local conventions and selling events!
Here's an excerpt from Onyx Shadowheart and the Witch of Grewsyll Woods.
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