News, Tears, & Tidbits (February Edition)

Plus My New Accidental Motto...

Tidbits

That was meant to say “Teasers” up in the title. But today is today. The world is the world. Think I’ll let that particular Ukranian slip be.

On a lighter note…I swear I did not know my new hometown’s unofficial but ubiquitous motto before I moved here. In fact, I did not know it until this morning, six months after my arrival, despite realizing afterward that I’d seen it multiple times. But it turns out that I now live in The City of Subdued Excitement.

Which…for better, worse, whatever.…could— does— serve a little too perfectly as a banner to drape over my whole writing career. I think, from now on, I have no choice but to proclaim myself— especially my ghost story self— The Writer of Subdued Excitement.

TWSE for short. Pleased to meet you.

News/Reminder

Assuming we’re all still standing, I will finally get to hold the launch event for Infinity Dreams at the beautiful Village Books in Bellingham, Washington on Saturday, March 12th at 7 pm. The ticket price can be applied to any purchase, and is mostly there as the store’s headcount check. I’ll be there, subduedly excited, talking about and briefly reading from the book. And signing, of course, if you like. So much hope you’ll come if you’re anywhere near.

Later this week, I will post part one of the title novelette from my All Happy People project right here on the Substack.

I’ve recorded an hour-plus show with the delightful Mark Goddard for his “Bloody Good Reads” podcast, and as soon as that’s officially up, I will post a link.

I’ve sold a new ghost story, “A Paradise to Live In or See”, to The Oakland Review, the excellent literary magazine produced at Carnegie Melon. Should be out early fall.

And…

Teasers

I actually have a whole lot of news I can’t quite share. But it involves, in no particular order:

1. My next ghost story collection, Tell Me When I Disappear, which appears set for 2023.

2. Audio versions of most of my back catalog. (A lot of that should be available well before 2023…).

3. New widely available print versions of most of my back catalog. Again, I’m thinking you’ll be able to obtain those quite soon.

Okay, teased/tearful enough? Feeling that subdued excitement? Then my work here is done for today.

Except: If this Substack is going to turn into a long-term thing, I really do need your support, in any way you can show it. Post/talk about it. Link to it. Tell friends. And if you can become a paid subscriber— at any level— I would so much appreciate it.

Stay safe, you all. And vigilant. And hopeful.

TWSE