February 2026 Update: Snow, Snow, and More Snow

Snow, snow, and more snow seemed to be the theme for January 2026. Though we’ve since relocated further south within Ontario, 2026 so far reminds me of some of the winters we had when we lived up in Mulmur Township—reminds in the sense of a distant echo, as we’re nowhere near the snow depth we “enjoyed” up there some years. 

This month’s photo is from a wintry day up in Mulmur when our border collie Emma was still with us. Winter didn’t deter her much, and I have many happy memories of snowshoeing, with Emma following my trail or sometimes racing ahead, and exploring the woods in winter.

Recent Publications

Fiction: 
“Cinderella Speaks Out at Last,” Flash Digest, Hiraeth Publishing, January 2026. 

Humour: 
“Welcome to Spin Class,” Little Old Lady Comedy, posted December 31, 2025, https://www.littleoldladycomedy.com/all-works/r8bgjt0kf9w8j45xng1d7whwkv0dhy

Nonfiction:
“Fens, Tobacco Fields, and Hopeful Cli-Fi,” an interview with Lynn Hutchinson Lee, Interstellar Flight Magazine, January 26, 2026, https://magazine.interstellarflightpress.com/fens-tobacco-fields-and-hopeful-cli-fi-e1e592878fea 

“Got fitness resolutions? Here are some tips,” Simcoe Advocate, January 15, 2026.

“Make mealtime family learning time,” Simcoe Advocate, January 29, 2026.

“Woodhouse, Long Point Christmas Bird Count Results,” Simcoe Advocate, January 15, 2026.

Poetry:
“Scenic,” “Snow Cat,” Sublimation, Volume 2, Issue 6, “Let It Snow.”

Reviews:
Better Not Burn Your Toast: The Science of Food and Health, by Dr. Joe Schwarcz, The Seaboard Review of Books, January 5, 2026, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/better-not-burn-your-toast-by-dr-joe-schwarcz

Beyond Ken Dryden: A Memoir, by Oren Safdie, The Seaboard Review of Books, January 19, 2026, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/beyond-ken-dryden-a-memoir-by-oren-safdie

On Sports, by David Macfarlane, The Seaboard Review of Books, January 26, 2026, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/on-sports-by-david-macfarlane

We the Raptors: Thirty Players, Thirty Stories, Thirty Years, by Eric Smith and Andrew Bricker, Sport Literature Association, https://sportliteratureassociation.wordpress.com/2025/11/16/we-the-raptors-thirty-players-thirty-stories-thirty-years-by-eric-smith-and-andrew-bricker/

What I’m Working On
I’m continuing to work on book reviews as well as some essays and articles I’ve committed to.

Coming Soon
On February 3, for one day only, my flash fiction story “Centerfield” will be available free of charge on Havok Publishing’s site. The theme for the month was stories inspired by songs; this one took its inspiration from John Fogerty’s “Centerfield,” which I remember enjoying back in my fastball playing days.

 

 

January 2026 update: “Roxy” Revisited

To celebrate the holiday season, here’s a photo of our dog Chet, taken after he came home from a boarding session in December. Country Lane Kennel takes such great care of him. He’s happy to arrive there, and happy to come home. Hard to beat that.

 

Speaking of dogs, NewMyths.com made some very kind comments about my short story “Roxy,” which was first published in NewMyths Issue 32, September 1, 2015. NewMyths Issue 73 includes an “archives” link to that original story, and also provides my comments about “Roxy” and the stories that followed. You can find the link to NewMyths Issue 73 here: https://sites.google.com/newmyths.com/newmythscomissue73/issue-73-stories?authuser=3

 

Recent Publications

Cartoons and Illustrations:

“How Asteroids Get Off Track,” Scifaikuest, November 2025, print, Hiraeth Publishing, https://www.hiraethsffh.com/product-page/scifaikuest-november-2025-1

“Where Lost Socks End Up,” Little Old Lady Comedy, December 24, 2025, https://www.littleoldladycomedy.com/all-works/mlmbukrzrvmpdkishrxukij6nj3tus

Fiction:

“Saving TIM,” Havok: Multiversal, Ebenezer Scrooge theme, December 9, 2025.

 

Humour:

“Must-See Additions to the Bowl Game Season,” Little Old Lady Comedy, December 22, 2025, https://www.littleoldladycomedy.com/all-works/kgnsbhovby6o5zc5sd2cpypnt37zdh

Nonfiction:

“Pickleball popularity rising in Norfolk County,” Simcoe Advocate December 18, 2025, page 19.

Poetry:

“As Twilight Approaches,” Year’s Best Canadian Fantasy and Science Fiction, Volume 3, Fall 2025, Ansible Press (poem first appeared in Dreams and Nightmares 127, May 2024), https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/years-best-canadian-fantasy-and-science-fiction-volume-one/c9741a96-6b59-3beb-b69e-29da6cff75e6.html

 

“At the Root,” “Even in Dark Times,” Transition, Fall and Winter 2025, Canadian Mental Health Association (Saskatchewan Division,” Inc.

 

[dragon in the studio], [final curtain call], “A Mother Waits for News…,” Scifaikuest, November 2025, print, Hiraeth Publishing, https://www.hiraethsffh.com/product-page/scifaikuest-november-2025-1

 

“The Ghost Town of the Past,” NonBinary Issue 42, Erased From History, December 11, 2025, Zoetic Press, https://www.zoeticpress.com/branded-merch/p/nonbinary-review-issue-42-erased-from-history

 

“Some News Can Wait,” “Until We Go to Mars,” Jupiter’s Eye, December 2025, Hiraeth Publishing, https://www.hiraethsffh.com/product-page/jupiter-s-eye-december-2025

Reviews:

The Black Wolf by Louise Penny, The Seaboard Review of Books, December 10, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/the-black-wolf-by-louise-penny

 

“Magical Realism Series Continues in No Love Lost by Jane Glatt,” The Seaboard Review of Books, December 8, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/no-love-lost-jane-glatt

 

The Second Greatest Show on Earth: Henry Bergh, the Protection of Animals, and the Evolution of the Modern Social Movement, by Darcy Ingram, The Seaboard Review of Books, December 15, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/the-second-greatest-show-on-earth-darcy-ingram

 

What I’m Working On

Through 2025, I spent a lot of my writing time with nonfiction, including reviews and articles. Though I plan to make a more concerted effort to write fiction as well in 2026, I do have a number of nonfiction projects I plan to get to in the coming year, including some I’m working on this month. I’ve also been writing some short humour (some fictional, some nonfiction), so working on polishing up and sending out some of those items will also be a focus.

 

Coming Soon

An interview with Lynn Hutchinson Lee, author of Origins of Desire in Orchid Fens and the soon-to-be-released Nightshade, is scheduled to come out in Interstellar Flight Magazine January 26, 2026. Lynn provided some great answers to the questions I developed, so I’m looking forward to sharing her insights.

 

I also have a poem, and a review of Sandra Lindlow’s poetry collection Mother Hubble’s Cupboard and Other Poems About Inner and Outer Space, in Star*Line 49.1.

 

 

 

December 2025 Update: Interview with Su Sokol, and Other Items

 

As noted below, my review of Jay Ingram's The Science of Pets was published in The Seaboard Review of Books in November. It was a wide-ranging and fun read, written in Ingram's entertaining style. Love the cover, too!

 Hard to believe that it’s November already. As I draft this blog, the previous night’s snow is being slowly erased by a gently falling rain. Last night, the snow draped over the branches of the big white pine in the back yard was beautiful in the moonlight, but it was too good to last. The tree was likely grateful to rid itself of the burden, though.

Recent Publications
Cartoons:
“Pardon Me,” Little Old Lady Comedy, November 27, 2025, https://www.littleoldladycomedy.com/all-works/hx0zwhy8i7ajknacm7svsszyoutie6

Nonfiction:
“Hopepunk, Activism, and Community,” an interview with Su J. Sokol, published November 14, 2025, Interstellar Flight Magazine (on Medium), https://magazine.interstellarflightpress.com/hopepunk-activism-and-community-3dff91433803

Poetry:
[you promised to write], Dreams and Nightmares 131, September 2025, https://dreamsandnightmaresmagazine.blogspot.com/

Reviews:
As the Earth Dreams: Black Canadian Speculative Fiction, edited by Terese Mason Pierre, The Seaboard Review of Books, November 19, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/as-the-earth-dreams-black-canadian-speculative-fiction 

Becoming an Ally: Breaking the Cycle of Oppression, 4^th Edition, by Anne Bishop, The Seaboard Review of Books, November 19, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/becoming-an-ally-4th-edition-by-anne-bishop 

The Last of Its Kind, Sibylle Grimbert, The Seaboard Review of Books, November 10, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/the-last-of-its-kind-by-sibylle-grimbert 

Needy Media: How Tech Gets Personal, by Stephen Monteiro, The Seaboard Review of Books, November 17, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/needy-media-how-tech-gets-personal 

O Canada Crosswords Book 26, by Gwen Sjogren, The Seaboard Review of Books, November 24, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/o-canada-crosswords-book-26-by-gwen-sjogren 

The Science of Pets, by Jay Ingram, The Seaboard Review of Books, November 12, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/the-science-of-pets-by-jay-ingram 

What I’m Working On
Like last month, my expected focus is nonfiction pieces. That being said, that was my target last month and shortly after posting the blog, I had several idea for poems and short stories . . .

Coming Soon
On December 9, my flash fiction story “Saving TIM” will be available for viewing at the Havok Publishing site. While subscribers have ongoing access to the site, non-subscribers will be able to see the story on the publication date only. The monthly theme invited stories taking a multiversal look at Dicken’s character Ebenezer Scooge. My story puts a tech spin on Dickens’ tale, with TIM being a not-so-tiny computer.

November 2025 Update

As I draft this post I am looking through the front window watching leaves fall. Trees like the tulip tree shown in the photo have now lost most of their leaves. Soon it will be time to pack away the lawn mower, and already, we’ve moved the snow blower from the back shed into the garage. Like the outdoors, writing has its own seasons and I’m settling in for a stretch of non-fiction focus, though I will likely still write the odd poem or short story depending on deadlines and inclinations.

 

 

Recent Publications

Fiction:

"Dorian Gray's Rookie Card," Havok, Multiversal, October 3, 2025.

 

Nonfiction:

“Crafts, art, giant pumpkins displayed at fair,” Simcoe Advocate, October 23, 2025.

 

“Fungi the focus of Norfolk Field Naturalists’ hike,” Simcoe Advocate, October 9, 2025.

Poetry:

“My House on Mars,” Spaceports and Spidersilk October 2025, Hiraeth Publishing.

“She Does Not Look Back,” The Lorelei Signal, October-December 2025 issue, https://www.loreleisignal.com/she-dies-not-look-back

Reviews:

Five Points on an Invisible Line, by Su J. Sokol, The Seaboard Review of Books, October 29, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/five-points-on-an-invisible-line-su-j-sokol

 

“Habs Nation Provides a ‘People's History’ of Storied Team,” a review of Habs Nation: A People’s History of the Montreal Canadiens by Brendan Kelly, The Seaboard Review of Books, October 8, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/habs-nation-brendan-kelly

 

I’ll Get Right On It: Poems on Working Life in the Climate Crisis, edited by The Land and Labour Poetry Collective, The Seaboard Review of Books, October 27, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/ill-get-right-on-it-poems-on-working-life-in-the-climate-disaster

 

Just Call Me Andi: Sports Stories from a Trailblazer, by Andria Petrillo, The Seaboard Review of Books, October 15, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/just-call-me-andi-by-andria-petrillo

 

Lafleur: The Legend, by Steven Finn and Pierre Gince, The Seaboard Review of Books, October 13, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/lafleur-the-legend-by-steven-finn-pierre-gince

 

Origins of Desire in Orchid Fens, by Lynn Hutchinson Lee, The Seaboard Review of Books, October 20, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/origins-of-desire-in-orchid-fens-lynn-hutchinson-lee

 

Speculative Shorts: Stories that fell out of my brain, by Cait Gordon, The Seaboard Review of Books, October 22, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/speculative-shorts-stories-that-fell-out-of-my-brain-cait-gordon

 

What I’m Working On

I’ve been working on some book and anthology proposals, with some more work yet to do. I have some articles to complete, and book reviews on the go as well.

 

October update: Another anthology, some reviews, and an article on Jane Friedman's blog

For just over two years, I’ve been submitting stories to Havok, which publishes flash fiction, and I’ve had several stories published with them. From each month’s story selections, they pick a few to be included in the season-end anthology. I’m happy to say that my story “Mirror, Mirror,” which was published in August, 2025, was picked for the “Multiversal” anthology as one of the stories from the “Alice in Wonderland” theme. I’m looking forward to seeing the final anthology.

 

My short story “The Space Librarians’ Code” is included in Starship Librarians, edited by Shannon Allen and JR Campbell, released by Tyche Books, August 19, 2025. When I first saw the submission call for this anthology, I was really enthused about the premise. I wrote a story specifically with this anthology in mind, and was happy to see it included. More information about Starship Librarians is available at https://tychebooks.com/starship-librarians

Recent Publications

Cartoons and illustrations:

“Casketball,” Scifaikuest August 2025 print, https://www.hiraethsffh.com/product-page/scifaikuest-august-2025

 

Fiction:

“The Space Librarians’ Code,” Starship Librarians, edited by Shannon Allen and JR Campbell, Tyche Books, August 19, 2025, https://tychebooks.com/starship-librarians

 

Nonfiction:

“Anthology Editing: Advice and Insights from Those Who’ve Been There,” posted on Jane Friedman blog, September 2, 2025, https://janefriedman.com/anthology-editing-advice-and-insights-from-those-whove-been-there/

“Norfolk Field Naturalists host wildlife photographer,” Simcoe Advocate, September 25, 2025.

 

“Studio Tour Exhibition showcases artistic talent,” Simcoe Advocate, September 25, 2025.

Poetry:

“An Aging Athlete Holds Their Ground,” 2025 National Baseball Poetry Festival site, poem now available for viewing, https://baseballpoetryfest.org/adult-poetry-contest-recognition/

 

Though I didn’t make it to the event, I enjoyed the opportunity to enter my poem. Those interested in getting a sense for the Festival can check out their video at the link below (scroll down and hit 2025 Festival Highlights).

https://baseballpoetryfest.org/videos/

 

“In the Name of Convenience,” “One Down,” and “No Need to Worry,” Sublimation Volume 2, Issue 4, July/August 2025, theme: It’s Okay, I’ve Got a Backup, Island of Wak-Wak, https://www.islandofwakwak.com/sublimation-volume-2-2025.html

 

“Laika,” “An HR Dilemma,” Scifaikuest August 2025 print, https://www.hiraethsffh.com/product-page/scifaikuest-august-2025

Reviews:

Sisters of the Jungle: The Trailblazing Women Who Shaped the Study of Wild Primates, by Keriann McGoogan, The Seaboard Review of Books, posted September 15, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/sisters-of-the-jungle-by-keriann-mcgoogan

 

The Writing on the Wind’s Wall: Dialogues about ‘Medical Assistance in Dying,” edited by Kevin Andrew Heslop, The Seaboard Review of Books, posted September 22, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/the-writing-on-the-winds-wall-kevin-andrew-heslop

 

Wrestling with Cadence: Essays on Writing and Intuition by Dennis Lee, The Seaboard Review of Books, posted September 8, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/wrestling-with-cadence-by-dennis-lee

 

What I’m Working On

I’m working on a nonfiction book proposal idea, a concept for an anthology I’d like to pitch to publishers, and some articles, as well as the perennial book reviews.

 

Coming Soon

During 2025, Havok’s theme was stories based on specific characters, some made up by modern-day writers and some based on past classics. The theme for October’s stories is Dorian Gray, and my flash fiction piece “Dorian Gray’s Rookie Card” is slated to be published October 3. It will be free for anyone to view on the day of publication.

 

 

 

Another Review, and September 2025 Update

Thank you to Rhea E. Rose for her review of Cats and Dogs in Space in Polar Starlight, Issue 20 (link below). Much appreciated!

 

https://polarborealis.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/POLAR-STARLIGHT-20-August-2025.pdf

 

I'm deeply appreciative of all those who have taken time to review the book. It's always interesting to hear what different readers enjoy the most.

 

Recent Publications

Cartoons:

“Probably Not How it Happened: Writing Little Miss Muffet,” Little Old Lady Comedy, published August 14, 2025, https://www.littleoldladycomedy.com/all-works/8a45c7glr8k2idk8alk863z0ctgpd5

Fiction:

“Mirror, Mirror,” Havok, posted August 6, 2025.

 

“Tee Time,” Havok, posted August 27, 2025.

 

Nonfiction:

“Long Point hatchery gives turtles a helping hand,” The Simcoe Advocate, August 28, 2025.

 

“Perseid meteor shower continues until August 24,” The Simcoe Advocate, August 14, 2025.

Poetry:

“The Day of the First Mars Landing,” Polar Starlight, Issue 20, August 2025, https://polarborealis.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/POLAR-STARLIGHT-20-August-2025.pdf

 

“Zombie-In-Waiting,” Dreams and Nightmares 130, May 2025, https://dreamsandnightmaresmagazine.blogspot.com/

Reviews:

Great Silent Ballad, by A.F. Moritz,The Miramichi Reader, posted August 11, 2025, https://miramichireader.ca/2025/08/great-silent-ballad-by-a-f-moritz/

 

Invisible Line, by Su J. Sokol, The Seaboard Review of Books, posted August 25, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/invisible-line-by-su-j-sokol

 

On Book Banning, Or, How the New Censorship Consensus Trivializes Art and Undermines Democracy by Ira Wells, The Seaboard Review of Books, August 4, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/on-book-banning-by-ira-wells

 

This May Be the Year, by Carole Giangrande, The Seaboard Review of Books, posted August 18, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/this-may-be-the-year-carole-giangrande

 

What I’m Working On

I still have some reviews to complete (an ongoing activity). I am also working on a nonfiction book project, preparing a fiction manuscript and a poetry manuscript for submission, and continuing to make progress on some article ideas.

 

August 2025 update: “Canada” Released by Paddler Press

 

In July, Paddler Press released Volume 14: Canada. Four of my poems appear in the volume, including “This One’s for Sandra,” a tribute to Canadian curler Sandra Schmirler. Volume 14 is available for download at the Paddler Press site:

 

https://paddlerpress.ca/issues-trip-log/

 

Many thanks to David C. Kopaska-Merkel for his review of my poetry collection Cats and Dogs in Space. 

 

The full review is available on the Science Fiction and Fantasy Poetry Association web site, at this link: https://www.sfpoetry.com/sl/reviews/25reviews.html. An abridged version of the review is also included in Star*Line 28.3 Summer 2025.

 

Recent Publications

Cartoons:

“Flying North,” Little Old Lady Comedy, July 6, 2025, https://www.littleoldladycomedy.com/all-works/9znc356y6uy9b6haqyf2tcxqq5dvkr

Nonfiction:

“Alzheimer Society harnesses the power of music,” Simcoe Advocate, July 16, 2025.

 

“Butterfly count numbers align with 10-year average,” Simcoe Advocate, July 31, 2025.

Poetry:

“Dispassionate Dispatch,” “If a Robot Comes,” “The Ultimate Soldier,” Reimagined AI Volume 1, https://www.lulu.com/shop/achi-mishra/reimagined-ai-anthology/paperback/product-w4yr5pk.html?page=1&pageSize=4

“How to Watch the Perseid Meteor Shower,” Spaceports and Spidersilk June 2025, Hiraeth Publishing, https://www.hiraethsffh.com/product-page/spaceports-spidersilk-june-2025

“Love Poem for Mother Earth,” “How to Deliver a Eulogy for Your Older Brother,” and “Borrowed Molecules,” Samjoko Magazine, Summer, Issue V, 2025, https://www.samjokomagazine.com/summer-issue-v-2025

“Geography Lessons,” “A Most Unnatural State,” “This One’s for Sandra,” and “Same Song, Different Vibe,” Paddler Press: Peterborough/Nogojiwanong’s Poetry & Art Journal, Volume 14 – Canada, July 1, 2025, https://paddlerpress.ca/

Reviews:

Heal the Beasts: A Jaunt Through the Curious History of the Veterinary Arts, by Philipp Schott, DVM, posted on The Seaboard Review of Books, July 22, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/heal-the-beasts-by-philipp-schott

 

Sherlock is a Girl’s Name, edited by Narrelle M. Harris and Atlin Merrick, Canadian Holmes, Volume 48, No. 3, Summer 2025.

 

The She-Wolf of Baker Street, by Narrelle M. Harris, Canadian Holmes, Volume 48, No. 3, Summer 2025.

 

The Teachings of Mutton, A Coast Salish Woolly Dog, by Liz Hammond-Kaarremaa, with Coast Salish contributors, The Seaboard Review of Books, posted July 28, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/the-teachings-of-mutton-by-liz-hammond-kaarremaa

 

What I’m Working On

I’m continuing to work on book reviews (an ongoing project), as well as some nonfiction pieces for various markets.

 

Coming Soon

Two flash fiction pieces are due for publication in Havok in August, and will be free for viewing on the publication day only at the Havok web site. August’s theme for Havok stories is Alice in Wonderland. My story “Mirror, Mirror,” goes live August 6, while “Tee Time” will be published August 27, 2025.

 

Also coming in August: Tyche Books is releasing Starship Librarians August 19. My story, “The Space Librarians’ Code” is included. For those interested, pre-order links for the book include:

 

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/starship-librarians-shannon-allen/1147793141?ean=2940181645462

 

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/starship-librarians

 

Other (including Apple & Smashwords): https://books2read.com/u/meRnpR