And now for something completely irrelevant: Swords and Sorcery just published "Behind the Curtain." Most of my stories are ethical/political musings, but this one's just a romp or bagatelle, sort of a Ruritanian intrigue, if Ruritania had a hint of magic and if Ruritania's women were something more than merely decorative. In it Dame Asra … Continue reading Behind the Curtain

My story "In The Forests Of The Night" is out in the new dark speculative fiction anthology "Coppice and Brake," edited by Rachel Brune. This story starts at midnight in a traincar containing many passengers bound for a political rally--some as supporters, some as protestors, all unknown to each other until an unexpected interruption gives … Continue reading Mental contagions

Misery, Mercy, and Justice: The Unresolved Questions Posed By Les Misérables This essay of mine was originally published on Uisio's site in 2016. As that site has been taken down, and as I've just joined a discussion group on Les Misérables, I'm reposting the essay here. “So long as there shall exist, by virtue of … Continue reading Misery, Mercy, and Justice

My second story to be published this year is in the resistance anthology "Shout," a collection of poems and stories that ask hard questions about who we are, who we're becoming, and how we might be able to change both. The book's just become available for sale. Part of the proceeds from sales will go … Continue reading Shout!

My historical fantasy story Cast Out, which explores how we live with fear (both personal and collective), is free to read online at After-Dinner Conversation, a site which publishes stories that center ethical and philosophical questions. I appreciate their focus, and I appreciate their publishing this story, which portrays mental illness and healing as I … Continue reading Fear Itself

My short science fiction story "As An Absence," which looks at how our ideas of work, community, story and self change as we spend more time online, was featured in the June issue of New Orbit Magazine, which regularly publishes collections of "uncomfortable little futures." They also published my essay on the same subjects, but … Continue reading As An Absence

This story was originally  published in Mythic Magazine, Issue #1, in December 2016.  It's been running through my mind again as many people in my nation celebrate the death of someone we call a terrorist--someone whose (very real and terrible) crimes we see as inexcusable because they were not committed in our interest.  It would be quite … Continue reading Humanity: a cautionary tale