My short story “Agatha Sings to the Scorpions,” published in Mrs. Claus, has been nominated by World Weaver Press for the Pushcart Prize. More info here. Thanks, WWP!
Publisher’s Weekly Review of Mrs. Claus Anthology
Mrs. Claus: Not the Fairy Tale They Say, edited by Rhonda Parrish, received a nice write-up in Publisher’s Weekly, with a mention of my story:
Parrish (Haunted Hospitals) delivers comfort, joy, and more than a little Christmas spice in this adorable anthology that explores the woman behind the Christmas mythos in various guises, drawing on mythological influences that span the globe. Laura VanArendonk Baugh’s “Wight Christmas” provides a very strong opening to the collection, packed with action and the delightful absurdity of a Valkyrie Mrs. Claus representing Christmas on a council of holidays. Of particular note is Jeff Kuykendall’s bittersweet “Agatha Sings to the Scorpions,” which combines the darkness of space, hope, and the cruelty of colonialism. Maren Matthias twists the traditional view of Mrs. Claus in her slightly tongue-in-cheek “You’d Better Watch Out,” which toys with gender roles and magic. In Hayley Stone’s wry “Red to Hide the Blood,” one of many Santas falls in love with a gruff Inuit woman who hunts down the monsters that killed his reindeer. Even though Mrs. Claus is the focus, most of the stories touch upon Christmastime joy and wonder.
Mrs. Claus: Not the Fairy Tale They Say is out November 28 from World Weaver Press.
Mrs. Claus Anthology Announced
World Weaver Press has just announced the new Christmas-themed anthology Mrs. Claus: Not the Fairy Tale They Say from editor Rhonda Parrish, which includes my science fiction story “Agatha Sings to the Scorpions” as well as a steampunk tale by my wife Anne Luebke, “Captain Lizzy and the Stranger in the Fog.” The official release date is November 28, and if you pre-order the ebook it’s only 99 cents. Here is the press release:
When you think of Mrs. Claus, do you imagine a quiet North Pole homebody who finds complete fulfillment in baking cookies, petting reindeer and crafting toys alongside elves? How about a magic-wielding ice goddess, or a tough-as-nails Valkyrie? Or maybe an ancient fae of dubious intentions, or a well-meaning witch? Could Mrs. Claus be a cigar-smoking Latina, or a crash-landed alien? Within these pages Mrs. Claus is a hero, a villain, a mother, a spacefarer, a monster hunter, and more. The only thing she decidedly is not, is a sidekick.
It’s Mrs. Claus’ turn to shine and she is stepping out of Santa’s shadow and into the spotlight in these fourteen spectacular stories that make her the star! Featuring original short stories by Laura VanArendonk Baugh, C.B. Calsing, DJ Tyrer, Jennifer Lee Rossman, Kristen Lee, Randi Perrin, Michael Leonberger, Andrew Wilson, Ross Van Dusen, MLD Curelas, Maren Matthias, Anne Luebke, Jeff Kuykendall, and Hayley Stone.
Table of Contents:
Wight Christmas by Laura VanArendonk Baugh
The Asylum Musicale by C.B. Calsing
Desperately Seeking Santa by DJ Tyrer
Christmas Magic by Jennifer Lee Rossman
Good Morning by Kristen Lee
Moves Like Jagger by Randi Perrin
Miss ‘Lil Toe Head by Michael Leonberger
Unexpected Guests by Andrew Wilson
The True Story of Christina and Kristopher Kringle by Ross Van Dusen
Shouldering the Burden by M.L.D. Curelas
Traffickers Better Watch Out by Maren Matthias
Captain Lizzy and the Stranger in the Fog by Anne Luebke
Agatha Sings to the Scorpions by Jeff Kuykendall
Red to Hide the Blood by Hayley Stone
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