Hello 2022!

Happy New Year, one and all! Wherever you are, I hope that 2022 has found you safe, happy, and among those close to you.

I won't fudge the facts--it's been quite a while since my last Newsflash. So, where have I been these 5+ months? The answer is, like so many of us, I was trying to navigate the rapids of 2021.

This previous year was a long haul. Sure, it wasn't it's evil older brother 2020, but it had its moments. The US remains badly divided along political lines, climate change marches onward in its unpredictable weather patterns, and that infernal COVID continues to plague the planet (perhaps that was a poor pun to use...). There were more than a few times when I stopped to wonder, "When will it actually get better?"

Even so, there was plenty to celebrate. The world came together in a huge climate summit and agreed to end deforestation by 2030. Effective COVID vaccines were created and distributed at record-breaking speeds. Multiple breakthroughs in science, including the discovery of time crystals and the launching of the James Webb Space Telescope, reminded us how weird and wonderful our universe is. It's not always easy to stop and remember that life comes in a duality. There are bad things, for sure, but there are good things, too. And, if there aren't as many good things happening as you'd like, you can always take Gandhi's words to heart and be the change you want to see. Things are improving, if at a snail's pace, and I refuse to believe that they won't get better. In the meantime, I've been busy juggling my job as an academic coach (paraprofessional) and getting more stories and poems written. Online learning comes with its challenges, even when you work at an online charter school! Nevertheless, I take each day as it comes, comitted to being there for my students and to improving my skills as an educator. It can be difficult, even frustrating, but it's rewarding and I wouldn't dare leave education for the world. As for my creative works, 2021 may have not been the most ideal of years, but I am grateful that I was able to be prolific, and there have been more than a few developments since my last Newsflash!

• In case you missed it, my novelette The Spark is available through Hiraeth Publishing! You can find a copy HERE.

• My haiku "just off the plane" has found a home with Haiku Commentary, the editors of which not only publish haiku but also provide thoughtful critiques! You can find that HERE.

• Scifaikuest has released my poetry in several of their online issues. Unfortunately, they no longer archive previous online issues. The current issue can be found HERE. Check it out while it's live!

• The print version of Scifaikuest (which showcases different poetry from the online version) was kind enough to display my speculative micro-poems in their August and November 2021 Issues. The November issue in particular was exciting because I was selected as the featured poet! I am humbled by this honor they have bestowed upon me. You can find those issues HERE and HERE.

• Star*Line ran one of my scifaiku in their Fall 2021 Issue. Find it HERE.

• Three Line Poetry ran another one of my haiku. You can find it in print HERE or online HERE.

• Shelter of Daylight October 2021 showcased my sonnet "Phantoms of Words and Light". You can find that HERE.

• In a related story, Shelter of Daylight will run my short story "Mission to Techland" in January 2022! Keep your eyes peeled for the release!

Life is a long slog. It can be rough. It can be crazy. That doesn't mean it's not worthwhile, or that it doesn't have to be fun along the way. This year I'm going to redouble my efforts to not only finish more stories, but more importantly to make a positive impact on the world. We'll get to that better world one day at a time.

Thanks for your support! Stay safe and stay positive. Until next time!