I have a double feature for you this time. Double scoop? Double fantasy? However you prefer your doubles, it’s coming your way.

By the whim of the Fates, I have two short stories publishing within in a week. First up, on Valentine’s Day itself, February 14, “Fair Winds Travel” will be published in The Sprawl Mag. This magazine from north of the border states it is “is a (cyber-)feminist, anti-colonial speculative fiction, poetry, and visual art magazine focused on publishing perspectives that have historically been left out of canonical sci-fi and fantasy.”

I wrote “Fair Winds Travel” as a tribute to my paternal grandmother. She was my last grandparent and passed away in 2022. My family and I went down to Florida for one last big get together with my entire extended family. Unfortunately, we ended up catching COVID at Disney World on the way down and spent the entire time isolating in our one bedroom Airbnb. Despite feeling terrible, I cranked out “Fair Winds Travel” which is the name of a travel agency my grandma owned. Both she and the travel agency play a prominent role in the story.

Next up, on February 20, the READER BEWARE anthology finally publishes. I say finally because my story, “Grenada Lake,” was accepted over a year ago. Regardless, I am pleased the anthology is ready for release. From the editors: this is “a collection of super-chilling tales of teen horror. A little nostalgia and an ode to Stine, this anthology promises to keep you up at night.” My understanding is the stories in the anthology are supposed to invoke the ’80s and ’90s. My story fits in nicely as it’s about a group of teen scouts who find something unexpected while camping at Grenada Lake. It just so happens that I camped at a place called Grenada Lake as a scout in the ’90s. This story floated around awhile, so I am pleased it found the right home.

Maybe the theme here is a double dose of nostalgia.