Upcoming Events for 2026-2027

 My upcoming events:

I've participated in the Tampa Bay Coffee and Art Festival pretty much since it first began. It's such a fun event, with lots of great artists, and of course coffee tasting. It's been so successful, the event outgrew its original venue! I look forward to this every year. Come visit both my booth and my daughter's. You can see the kind of art she sells at her Etsy shop.

Dixieland Art and Alley Fest is another event I've done quite a few times, although I had to miss the last couple of years, so I'm extra excited about this year. 

And of course for my fellow sci-fi/fantasy geeks, there's SYFY Bartow. I've participated here for the past several years and it is always so fun! Not just art at this one -- it's all kinds of vendors. There's a really cool car show, and lots of people in costume. 

Come check out these events and make sure to stop by my booth!

Journey's End

It's taken me a while, but I've realized that my intent to talk more about my health journey on here isn't really going to work. Yes, a lot of people have spoken words of encouragement to me and expressed their interest in my story. The problem is that I'm not really interested in talking about me personally and my experiences. The interest I have is in the science, the biochemistry of human metabolism, and that is what people don't generally want to hear about. 

I know this because the second the words "low carb" come out of my mouth, either their eyes glaze over or they change the subject. Or they express their happiness that I've found something that works for me, and explain why it would never work for them. If we do manage to make it past that point, which almost never happens, and I start explaining any of the science, the look on their face makes me feel like that teacher whose class a student dreads. 

So what I'm going to do now is list the doctors I follow online, where you can find all the information I've found and learn everything I've learned. Look them up on Youtube or whatever platform you use to listen to podcasts, as they all have done many interviews, and some have podcasts of their own. Also look them up on Amazon because most of them have written books.

• Dr. Ben Bikman, PhD (biochemistry prof and metabolic researcher)
• Dr. Aseem Malhotra, MD (cardiologist)
• Dr. Philip Ovadia, MD (cardiologist)
• Dr. Pradip Jamnadas, MD (cardiologist)
• Dr. Mark Hyman, MD (functional medicine)
• Dr. Jason Fung, MD (nephrologist)
• Dr. Anthony Jay, PhD (biochemist)
• Dr. Ken Berry, MD (family physician)
• Dr. William Davis (cariologist) 
• Dr. David Unwin (general practitioner)

Also, not doctors, but two books I highly recommend by journalists who have heavily researched their topics:

• Good Calories, Bad Calories by Gary Taubes
• The Big Fat Surprise by Nina Teicholz

There you go. Set off and learn if you so desire. 

Now, back to sporadic postings about my author and artist events. 

My Health Journey Motivation

I’ve decided to start dropping some posts with my thoughts on my continued health journey. These are not meant in any way to sway anyone to my way of eating. Truth be told, it’s more that I need a place to express myself other than with my best friend, who is the only person in my real-life circle who has any true interest. Since I’m not posting this to persuade you of anything, nor am I looking for atta-girls, I’ve shut off comments. You are welcome to think whatever you want and walk away.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

~ Romans 12:1-2, NIV

Regarding what I’m about to write, there are people who’ll say I am taking this set of verses out of context, twisting it to fit my own interpretation. Let me assure you I get all kinds of annoyed when Christians do that. And I do, in fact, understand the actual intent of this passage.

But give me a moment. I think it’s okay for me to find a different meaning in this, for me personally. It doesn’t replace the original message at all—that needs to stay. But it’s a way for me to keep motivated in my health journey, and I can’t see God being angry about that. 

The way this passage has helped me is by reminding me that my body is God’s. He designed it, complete with nutritional needs. And those needs can be met by consuming animals and plants in their proper forms, which are also designed by God. 

“…offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”  When I first started my health journey, I made the dietary changes I thought would help me become physically healthier—that was my only goal. I wasn’t looking at it in terms of changing to please God. Yeah, I saw it as a sacrifice, but not as a sacrifice to Him. (Truthfully, I was a little miffed at Him for not just making me healthier after all my prayers.) But as I learned more and more about nutrition, and the way the human body works, my eyes were opened to what an amazing machine God has created for me. And while I still wanted to be healthy for my own selfish reasons, I started also wanting to take care of this body as a way of worshiping God – honoring him by honoring this gift He gave me, trusting the design, “sacrificing” those things I knew were harming that gift.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world…” For me that meant, and still means, not eating what mainstream medicine dictates. Not eating the stuff I see most people around me eating. Not eating things that are manufactured and marketed by corporations. In other words, not eating what the world tells me to eat, and instead eating what my God-designed body requires.

“…be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” After following this new way of eating, my thoughts have completely changed. I don’t need those processed foods. I don’t desire them at all anymore. My thoughts, my needs, my desires are all for foods that are whole and real and nutritious and satisfying. Making that initial sacrifice – giving up things I found tasty but knew were damaging me – eventually led to me actually wanting to eat what I had started eating. If you had told me a few years ago that I would someday never crave cookies, or bread, or fried rice, or French fries (my biggest weakness!), I would have said you were nuts. Now those things are not even temptations. 

“Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Am I claiming this has all made me some sort of God’s will detector? Nope. I still struggle daily with figuring out exactly what God has planned for me and how to follow Him properly. I’m hugely imperfect. But, as I said before, this passage has a much more spiritual meaning, and that needs to stay. It’s much more than following a proper diet and taking care of my body. It’s about giving my whole self over to God, and that takes more than cutting carbs. I just know that I wouldn’t have the energy or mental focus to work on this part without taking care of my body the way I have been. 

Final note: I debated and debated about posting this. Every time I reread it, I worried it makes me sound preachy, or pious. That is so not my intent. I don’t see myself as being handed some special blessing by God. And this is not the only thing that keeps me going—there are a few others:

• I watched firsthand as type 2 diabetes stole my grandma’s ability to walk, her vision, her mind, and eventually her life.

• I have a BS in Biology, and my fascination with the biochemistry of human metabolism makes it impossible for me to look at processed food, sugar, and grains without seeing the downstream effects. 

• I was lucky to catch this early and have my body respond very quickly to diet and lifestyle changes, something I know is not true for so many, especially those without doctors like my primary care who has been completely supportive of my efforts and has not tried in any way to dissuade me from this path.

So, yeah, a lot of motivation there for me from different directions.

I guess that’s it for today. I’ll continue posting here and there as I gather more thoughts. 

PS - if you didn't see my first Health Journey post, click here.

Magazine Cover Art and Upcoming Events

My art was featured on the cover of the February 2026 issue (yes, I'm really late in posting this) of Spaceports & Spidersilk, a sci=fi/fantasy magazine for young readers. This is my third time on their cover! You can buy a copy on their site or on Amazon.

And I want to share about a few upcoming events where you can find me, my art, and my books:

Necronomicon Tampa

September 25-27th

Embassy Suites USF

INFO HERE

I'll be participating on several author and artist panels and will have art and prints for sale in the art show.

Tampa Bay Coffee and Art Festival

October 24th

Florida State Fairgrounds

INFO HERE

I'll have a booth with my original art, prints, and books for sale. 

Dixieland Art & Alley Fest

November 21st

Lakeland, FL

INFO HERE

I'll have a booth with my original art, prints, and books for sale.

Speaking of Lakeland, FL -- you can find some of my art prints for sale at Raven Faerie on Frank Lloyd Wright Way. It's a cool shop staffed by the sweetest people! Check them out HERE.

New Novel - A Middle Grade Mystery

Just hopping on here really quick to share that my latest novel is out in the world! The Secret of Blacktree Bridge is a middle grade mystery novel with supernatural elements. 

I'm so happy with how the cover turned out. That art is by my very own daughter! (Who, btw, just texted me to share that she won a First Place ribbon in the Florida State Fair art competition.)

For more info on The Secret of Blacktree Bridge, go to Amazon, where it's available in print and ebook.

To see more amazing art by my daughter, and to purchase prints of her work, visit Anna's Abstractions on Etsy. 

Starting My Health Journey

Last time I posted -- which, yeah, has been a few months -- I said I might start sharing some of my health journey here. I decided the easiest way to get that ball rolling is to show you what I posted on Facebook back in February, including before and after photos. That first photo is me at the Realm Makers writers conference in July 2019, which is why I'm holding a dragon. Not that it's so rare for me to be holding a dragon. The second photo is me in February 2025.

Here's what I posted on Facebook:

A lot of people have been commenting about my weight lately. People I haven’t seen in a while gasp and say, “Oh my god, Kat, you’ve lost so much weight!” The word “skinny” is very often used, accompanied by a look of concern. I’ve actually had a few people ask if I lost weight “on purpose” – which I’m taking to assume means they are worried I’m sick.

Folks, I’m not sick. Not now. I mean, I was. Not like cancer (which, btw, just had my checkup and I’m 20 years cancer-free!) or some other illness. But my labs were a mess. High blood pressure. High blood sugar (prediabetic). Cholesterol panel totally out of whack.

I changed my diet. I did not “go on a diet.” Although I was not happy at the weight I was, losing was not even on my radar – I was doing this to change my lab numbers. 

Y’all, I eat a lot. A LOT. I just don’t eat the same foods I used to (which, btw, I believed I was eating pretty darn healthy). My plate these days is loaded with meat, eggs, and veggies. Avocado. Coconut milk yogurt (can’t have dairy, allergic). Sunflower butter. Lots of berries. Bare minimum levels of grains. No sweets, no chips, no snacky foods of any kind. But as for calories…I have no idea. I don’t track that stuff. I eat. And eat. And eat until I’m full. When I’m hungry again, I eat again until I’m full. I assure you, I am far from starving. 

And I do exercise. I’ve walked daily for many years because it’s good for my heart. When my metabolism righted, I got more energy. Started walking even more. Started lifting weights again.

Anyway, to assure you all is well - that all is actually soooooo much better - here are my lab numbers from when I started this journey (September 2020) compared to January 2025:

Blood pressure (as measured at the doc’s office) 142/98 -> 116/73

Glucose 116 -> 90

Triglycerides 163 -> 43

HDL 63 -> 75

LDL 180 -> 133

Cholesterol risk ratio 4.38 -> 2.89

See? Not sick. Not even remotely. I feel better than I have in years. I don’t wake up creaky anymore. No more hobbling those first few steps in the morning. No soreness. No bloating. No heartburn. No fatigue. My balance has gotten better. My clothes fit. Like really fit. I have a waistline for the first time since before kids. 

I’m not telling you this for any kind of “atta-girl.” I honestly just want to put everyone’s minds at ease. 

{Btw, me focusing on my health has been a big reason I haven’t been active on Facebook much. Busy walking, working out, and working. Hours and hours of listening to podcasts about health and nutrition, functional medicine, metabolism, insulin resistance, etc., so the biology nerd in me can satisfy her thirst for learning. The science of the human metabolic system is fascinating.)

Since posting that, I've actually shifted my diet a bit more heavily toward meat, and my HDL has risen to 94, without my LDL changing. I eat even less grain now, too. Rye bread for a Reuben sandwich about once every couple of weeks and the "healthy harvest" muffin at my favorite mom-and-pop coffee shop every couple of months is it for me. And no, I don't miss it. Don't miss sweets, don't miss anything. I still eat all I want, never counting calories, only keeping carbs low. Lots of protein, plenty of fat. 

I still lift weights about four days a week, and it's maddening on the days I'm unable to get in enough walking. I need the movement. People still see me as "skinny" but I've gotten much stronger, lifting heavier at the gym than I have in years. I feel better, stronger, healthier than I have in years. What surprised me is that I "felt" pretty healthy before. But so many things improved, I realized that I had just gradually gotten used to all the little issues, and now that they're gone I know what healthy actually feels like. 

Okay, that's probably enough for now. I'll post more thoughts/experiences later. As well as some updates on upcoming events where I'll be selling my art and books. 

End Elementary Essays

This may be a surprising opinion coming from a writer, but I believe kids should not focus on writing essays in elementary school. I work at a tutoring center, and I am constantly being pushed to help fourth graders write essays, but it goes against everything I believe in. In elementary school, kids should be learning grammar, punctuation, vocabulary, and spelling. And they should be reading, reading, reading, and reading.

Instead of having their love of writing beaten out of them with pointless essay assignments, they should be learning all the parts of speech, what makes a good sentence, how to find the right word for the idea they want to express. Give them the building blocks of good writing. Teach them how to spell. Teach them how to construct sentences. Teach them where to put a freaking comma. How to effectively use a fragment. My experience is that when a kid learns these things, then later, like in middle school, when you teach them the basics of a good essay (a term I find an oxymoron, but more on that later) they’re able to run with it because they have the tools and materials, and thus the confidence to compose what they want to say.

And don’t start with essays. Start with creative writing while the kids aren’t afraid of being creative. Let them write about winged horses and talking mushrooms. Let them tell silly stories and learn early that writing can be fun, not a chore. Let them write about the things that interest them, the things they are naturally passionate about. 

I homeschooled both my kids and didn’t assign essays to them when they were young. I let them write fun stuff, and didn’t critique those things at first. My kids both ended up writing long assignments on their own. Nick wrote pages and pages of a made-up diary, the story of a Minecraft character’s daily adventures, complete with characterization and voce. Anna put together a binder filled with information on hamsters, organized by topics like habitat and feeding, to show that she was ready to have a hamster as a pet. 

Maybe, you say, they just inherited my natural ability to write. Hm, well, that could contribute to it. But I never felt like a natural writer. I didn’t start creative writing until I was in my thirties. And here is the “later” I mentioned before regarding essays: when I started writing for publication, I had to unlearn all the essay-writing procedure that had been drilled into my head in school. I mean, when is the last time you picked up any kind of published nonfiction work and it read like an essay that you were forced to write in school? 

This blog post even – does this sound like an essay? I’ve got a main point. I’m backing it up with details. But am I writing it like that horrid, strict format we were all taught? If I were, you would have clicked over to something else by now. 

Okay, time to get off my soap box and get ready for work, where I have to try and teach kids who don’t know what a preposition is, who don’t know how to punctuate, who can’t spell to save their lives – not because they aren’t smart, but because it’s not stressed in school and they’re spending their time writing essays on tedious topics that they absolutely dread.

Before I go...just a bit on my absence here. I'm fully aware I've neglected this blog a long time. I haven't been writing as much for years, and I've even slacked on art lately. My focus has shifted to my physical health, and I've been spending a lot of time educating myself about metabolism (short version: I was prediabetic and had other out-of-balance metabolic markers, but that's corrected now by food and exercise). Because of the changes, I have much more energy now and am finding myself wanting to write again and even pop over here and share. So, yeah, even though this has been primarily a writing and art blog, I may start posting a bit about what I've learned regarding health (and like today, maybe more thoughts on teaching/tutoring), if for no other reason than needing a place to talk about it. I also promise to keep up with any news on my writing and art. 

Phoenixes Featured

Quick stop to share that two anthologies released recently, one featuring my short story "Fountain and Fire" and one featuring my artwork.

You can read "Fountain and Fire" in Legendary: Havok Season Ten. The story takes my characters Melinda and Kalek from Toch Island Chronicles on an adventure at The Fountain of Youth in St. Augustine, Florida. Awesome phoenix cover art by Kirk DouPonce. Purchase the paperback or ebook on Amazon.

And the current issue of Spaceports & Spidersilk features my colored pencil drawing of a phoenix, so we've got a bit of a theme this month. You can purchase this issue on Amazon or directly from Hiraeth Publishing.

Three Published Stories in Three Days!

 Three anthologies released this past week with short stories of mine inside!

Another HAVOK anthology, Vice & Virtue, features my flash fiction "First Impression." This story goes along with "Dude" which you can read HERE for free on Wattpad. You can purchase Vice & Virtue on Amazon.

Ring of Fire contains my story "Fire Wall" that was originally published in The Absent Willow Review (an online magazine that has since closed its doors). In "Fire Wall" a literal wall of fire has appeared, surrounding a city, and a mysterious stranger offers a means of escape.

You can purchase Ring of Fire on Amazon.

And last but not least, my story "Darkness" (which originally appeared in Realmscapes) is featured in Florida Tech's latest issue of their literary magazine Kaleidoscope. This is a magazine that is given out on campus, so I don't know if/how you can get a copy, but you can read a few old issues for free here. What is exciting for me about this one is that my story won their contest for best prose in this issue!

It was pretty fun this past week having three releases and receiving my author copies all within three days of each other. That doesn't happen often. Now, I've got to get to work finding homes for the next batch...

New Published Short Stories

The latest issue (Winter 2022) of NewMyths features my flash fiction story "More Than Skin Deep." 

Here's a taste:

Taela stood at the pond’s edge, watching her son swim, her bare toes sinking into the wet soil. Sand clung to her calves, and her sleeveless tunic whispered around her in the warm afternoon breeze. It was their private place, hidden deep in the forest where the other Elven never followed.

The barely rippling surface reflected her image in broken waves—an image cross-sectioned by the tattoos covering her skin like colored lace. Neither the water nor the tattoos did anything to hide the unusual paleness of her Elven skin. Her onyx eyes were a vivid contrast, and the points of her ears were all that identified her heritage. Maybe that was why she felt compelled to trim her hair so short—no one could deny her place when confronted with those Elvish peaks.

She lifted her gaze from her reflection to Calen a few yards in front of her. Taela smiled as she watched him splash in the shallow water. He looked like any other Elven child out there, where no one could see the frail legs beneath him, the narrow ribcage that held a heart beating with the passion of someone ten times his size.

CONTINUE HERE to read the rest for free. 

HAVOK's latest anthology, Animal Kingdom: Havok Season Seven, released in October 2022, and it features my flash fiction story "The Placebo Effect." This sci-fi story will appeal to anyone creative, especially if you know what it's like to have a creative block. As usual, the cover art is lovely!

And the soon-to-release Chicken Soup for the Soul: Lessons Learned from My Dog features my story "A Promise Kept." This is the story of how taking in a neighbor's dog temporarily guaranteed she ended up at the home she really needed, and that really needed her. 

Stay tuned, as I'll be announcing a couple more short story releases in the not too distant future. 

Cover Art: A Superhero for Christmas

I've asked author H.L. Burke to post today about the cover art for her upcoming release, A Superhero for Christmas, part of her Superhero Rehabilitation Project series. 

Here's what she has to say:

I definitely know better than to attempt my own art. Both my daughters are (for their age) pretty good at drawing, but I have no attention to visual details, so generally speaking, I just give a vague idea to my cover artist and let them come up with something. I like to be surprised.

For my superhero universe, however, I always knew I wanted artwork that could reasonably fit in a comic book page, so drawn figures of people instead of photo manipulation or graphic design-type work.

I’ve known K.M. Carroll (on Deviant Art as NetRaptor… you should check her out. She’s got her own webcomic too https://www.deviantart.com/netraptor), and she’s done the artwork for this series ever since. I like the illustrated style because it feels comic-booky without looking like it
is for kids (except for maybe the YA series which IS arguably for kids).

Sometimes I’ll just give her a general list of traits, but for this one, I actually had casting in mind
for the characters. This is rare for me. Most actors or known people are too attractive to be my
characters who I generally imagine as everyday people, but with Glint, who is supposed to be
an overly charming, Superman stand-in with a sparkling smile and kind of a cheesy charisma, I
always felt he needed to be played by Nathan Fillion–and for the laughs, since this is a Hallmark
movie, I decided that the female lead would be Maggie Lawson (from Psych as well as some
Hallmark movies). I specifically asked for characters who looked a little like those actors but not
enough that I could be sued for using their likenesses without permission.
I love what she came up with.

Marvel hero action collides with Hallmark Holiday goodness in this new superhero romantic
comedy by Award-Winning author H.L Burke. Launches November 5th, 2022!

A Superhero for Christmas

When superhero, Glint's, aka Henry Nichols's, powers go on the fritz after a supervillain attack,
he finds himself rethinking his priorities. Years of devotion to public service have left him with
little for himself, and with forty swiftly approaching, he finds himself longing for his youth on his
grandfather's farm. An incognito vacation is just what he needs.

Former reporter Lara Landis lost her career and her only long-term relationship all in one
humiliating blow. Broke and rudderless, she retreats to her parents' small town grocery store to
try and make one last career rally, but how is she going to get a big scoop living in the middle of

nowhere? When a poorly disguised superhero lands in her neighborhood, insisting that he's just
a normal guy, she can't help but smell a story.

As their chance encounters turn into a begrudging friendship, Lara is surprised to find a caring,
sincere human beneath Henry's press-conference-ready exterior. When the truth comes out,
though, her big story could turn into his worst nightmare.

What readers are saying about A Superhero For Christmas:
Hallmark and Marvel got together to have a baby, Superhero for Christmas. An adorable
heart-warming cozy read for the reader looking for some superhero charm with their
rom-com.~Ticia

Christmas, romance, and superheroes...this story lifted my heart up, up, and away!~Ernie
Laurence, Jr, author of the Islands of Loar series.
A cozy Christmas rom-com with superheroes... it doesn’t get better than this! ~ Brianna
This story has all of the feels with, thankfully, not a thing that was sappy. This is how I have
always wished Hallmark holiday stories were written. ~ Veronica Lynn, AKA Mrs. Spellsmith

About the Author:
H. L. Burke has written more books than she can count—because she's written a lot of books,
not just because she can't count very high. Easily distracted by shinies, she has published in many subgenres including fantasy romance, Steampunk, and superhero, and always creates story worlds with snark, feels, and wonder. Married to her high school crush, she spends her time writing, spoiling her cat, and supervising her two supervillains in training (aka her precocious daughters). An Oregon native, she wilts without trees and doesn't mind the rain. She is a fan of delicious flavor, a follower of the Light, and a believer in happily ever after.

Amazon Pre-Order:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BFK45G8K
Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62611074-a-superhero-for-christmas
Website:
https://www.hlburkeauthor.com/supervillain-rehabilitation-project

Altered Additions -- My Newest Altered Thrift Paintings

Just popping on to share some of the newest art you can find on my Etsy shop. Prints (8x10) are available of all these.

My altered thrift painting featuring the most hard-working sponge on the bottom of the ocean. 

I'll leave it up to you to decide if Gary is running for help, or running away...

This is a painting I found that absolutely screamed for me to add Steampunk elements. I mean, look at that frame! (The original is not listed on Etsy, but I just had to show off the frame. 8x10 prints are available.)

And another adventure for our little green alien.

To find prints of these and more, visit www.JumpingRails.etsy.com. 

Mark the Days on Mysterion

My short story "Mark the Days" is featured on Mysterion Magazine today! 

Here's a taste...

Denver blinked against the sunlight blaring through his bedroom window, resisting the urge to pull the thick comforter over his face. Moments later, the sunlight shut off. He blinked more, seeing nothing but pitch black for several seconds. As his eyes adjusted to the dark, the furniture in his room appearing as deeper shadows, he noticed the hum of an engine coming from outside.

Blast it, Jerry. Denver groaned and flipped over on his stomach, scrunching his eyes shut again. Why could his housemate never remember to park on the other side when he came home at this time of morning? His headlights lined up exactly with Denver’s window, sending blinding light through the curtains.

The engine cut off, and soon the front lock clicked, followed by the slam of the door against the wall. Then the clomp of Jerry’s boots down the hardwood floor of the hallway that led to Jerry’s room on the other side of the house.

Denver lifted his head and glanced over at the clock. Three-thirty. He exhaled, glad he at least wouldn’t have to deal with Jerry in the morning. Jerry would sleep in, not rising until long after Denver headed to the office. Then he’d be gone again when Denver got home. Jerry working nights meant Denver had the house to himself most evenings. Simple blessings…

The alarm blasted Denver from a heavy sleep, and he grunted as he slammed the off button. Shoving the comforter aside, he dragged himself over to the edge of the bed. When his feet hit the floor, he let out a sigh. Mornings sucked. Even more so with lack of sleep.

When he reached the kitchen, the barest hint of sunrise lit the window, enough to see the coffee maker. He switched it on, listening to the gurgle of heating water with anticipation. While he waited, he snagged a marker from the mug on the counter and marked off the day on the calendar.

Jerry’s snicker startled him, and he spun around to find Jerry slouched over the breakfast bar, coffee in hand. Denver’s own cup sat steaming on the countertop. The room was brighter than five-thirty would allow.

How—?

Denver rubbed his forehead. Had he dozed off standing there?

“Dude,” Jerry said, “you okay?” His blond hair flopped over one eye, and he brushed it back, only to have it flop again.

“What? Yeah. Fine.” But Denver didn’t feel fine. He looked at the calendar he’d just marked. May fifteenth. That wasn’t right. He’d skipped a day.

Jerry snickered again. “I know, I know. You’re fine as long as your little ritual is done. Mark each day, every day. Perfect little X over the number…” He shook his head, eye peeking intermittently from behind his swinging bangs.

Denver stared at the calendar, the number 14 clearly visible with no perfect little X. “You see everything marked through today?” he asked, hoping the alarm didn’t show in his voice.

“Of course.” Jerry slid from the barstool and dumped his mug into the sink. As he walked past, he elbowed Denver’s arm. “What’s wro—I mean…” His voice dropped. “Never mind.” He didn’t say anything more and ducked through the door that led from the kitchen to the back porch. Which would make sense if it were May fifteenth because the fifteenth was Wednesday, Jerry’s day off. He only slept in on the days he had to work.

How was it May fifteenth, though?

To keep reading, visit MysterionOnline.com.

Worth Re-reading: Jinx by Sage Blackwood

Have you ever re-read a book or series and discovered that the second time around it just didn't do as much for you? That's happened to me several times. I've bought a series and kept it on my shelf, only to re-read it later and end up donating the books to the library's used bookstore.

That's NOT the case for me with this series. 

I originally got the first book, Jinx, way back when I was in the Amazon Vine program. I loved it so much, I bought the next two as they released. And recently, I dove back in, not sure if it would end for me the way it has with other series.

It only took a couple of chapters, though, for me to remember why I kept these books in the first place.

The story world is so cool -- the Urwald with its mystical trees and the Clearings where the people of the Urwald dwell. The "evil" magician Simon, smart but cursed Elfwyn, and of course Jinx, the unlikely hero who makes you want to take him under your wing as soon as you meet him.

This is a series I've recommended to many parents in the past when they're looking for books for middle schoolers and upper elementary kids. And now, well, I will be doing so even more emphatically!

Find the series on Amazon.

Author Feature: H.L. Burke

I've decided I need to spend more time on here sharing about some of the books I've really enjoyed over the years. I'm starting with a few by the same author, H.L. Burke. Oh, and at the end I've got a few interview questions answered by Heidi.

My favorite of hers so far is Heart of the Curiosity. Gotta be honest: about 90% of the reason I bought this book (and bought it in paperback rather than ebook) is because I am in love with the cover. That said, the story totally lived up to the expectations set by that beautiful art. Steampunk set in a theater, with ballet and fairy tale performances and automatons, cool magic, mystery, and a sweet romance. I loved everything about this story.

If you want more steampunk, I recommend the Spellsmith and Carver series. It's simply a well-told tale with likable characters, and hands-down one of the coolest magic systems I've come across. 

For something a bit different, and for the younger set, I highly recommend Cora and the Nurse Dragon. This is actually one of the first books I remember hearing about by H.L. Burke, but I put off reading it for some time. I could scold myself for not jumping on it, or I could say it was worth the wait. I suppose both are right! Just loved the main character and the unique take on dragon lore. 

Lastly, I want to at least share about the Supervillain Rehabilitation Project series that has been Heidi's latest focus. I haven't actually read any in this series yet. The key word here is "yet" because I have every intention of diving into these at some point. They just look way too fun to pass up. 

And now for the questions I promised:

OK, so I don't want to feel all traditional and boring asking a writer about her writing, but I would like to know, to add to my post, how it is that you are so freaking prolific.

I can’t seem to stop. Please send help … or coffee … actually, the coffee might be the problem.

Part of it is years of practice. I write pretty clean copy so it needs less rewriting/editing. I don’t write absurd amounts per day, but I can do a thousand words in a half hour, so I usually get at little more than that done a night, and if I have more time, I get more done, so it adds up pretty quickly. Plus I’ve learned a plotting method that works for me and I know my personal tricks and motivators, so unless I’m sick or there’s some sort of exceptional thing going on, I can usually get my words in.

The second part is, I still really like writing. Sometimes there will be periods where it’s mildly frustrating, but I’d much rather be doing writing than almost anything else. Like there’s that meme that writers will clean their house and your house and all the houses to avoid writing … I will write and write and write to avoid vacuuming because cleaning is the worst. Makes me a very prolific writer. Not a great housekeeper, but … you know we can’t have it all.

Also, you jump all over genre-wise. I can totally relate to this, because I write in a lot of different genres myself, and my art is all over the board (one of the reasons my Etsy shop is named Jumping Rails is because I feel like a train barreling in one direction, then suddenly changing tracks, all the time). Is there something that ties your writing all together? Some element of Heidi-ness that you think comes through in all your writing no matter the genre?

I do tend towards certain types of feelz and while I don’t like filler content, I also don’t do action packed stuff. I plot the emotional beats of my story first and work the story and action around it, so the story kind of frames the character relationships and development. I also have a fairly consistent sense of humor, though when I do contemporary stuff it gets a little more directly referential.

And since you're writing a superhero series at present: What, other than prolific writing and cat wrangling, is your superpower?

Snarky, referential humor and flexibility. My family didn’t move around or change things much at all growing up, but when I got married to a Marine at 21, my life became constant changes and moves and adjustments, and I’ve learned how to roll with it. Occasionally some of it has been hard, but I feel I’ve learned to adapt pretty well overall.

Plus I know how to work references into just about anything.  

***

You can find all the amazing literary offerings by H.L. Burke on her Amazon Author Page. 

And follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to keep up with, and sometimes participate in, her shenanigans. 

Do What You Do

Bad scan of photo of a drawing
I did in high school. The original
was sent in to a contest and not returned.
I didn't win, but
I'm still really proud of this one.

When I was in school, I took as many art classes as I could. I particularly loved drawing. My favorite medium was charcoal. And my goal with pretty much every drawing was to make it look as realistic as possible. My ultimate goal was to someday draw so realistically my drawings would look like photographs. I never achieved that, partly because for years I put my art on hold altogether. And when I started drawing again, my goals had changed. 

My new goals had more to do with being creative. One reason I started painting was to force myself to work with color, rather than the black and white of charcoal pencil drawing. I also wanted to loosen up and create art with more distinctive style rather than just trying to make an image that looks like a photograph.

I have a dear friend who draws with colored pencil and her drawings are almost indistinguishable from photographs. I am in absolute awe of her talent. (You can see her work here.) And yes, there are even twinges of jealousy now and then, but I don't have her patience and dedication to the art of colored pencil drawing. I bring this up because the point of this blog post is: 

That's okay. 

It's okay to do art differently than someone else, even if you absolutely adore and are astounded by their work. 

I recently registered to enter two pieces of art in the Florida State Fair Fine Arts Competition. I've entered a few times before, and always in the "whimsical" painting category. This year, without having actually completed, or even started, the paintings I intended to enter, I chose "whimsical" for one painting but "scene" for the other. My intention was to paint something more traditional and realistic for the "scene" entry. Think Bob Ross or a lovely sunset beach. 

But I started working on that painting....and it was horrible. I got frustrated. And bored. Everything looked so stiff and emotionless, and not at all realistic. So I set it aside and started a different painting. Instead of focusing on trying to paint what I thought the judges expect for this category, I painted what I was in the mood to paint:

The judges are going to scoff, I'm sure. I'm already imagining their comments about not using color, about the overly simplistic composition. Blah, blah, blah. But I don't care. I painted what was in me.

I told my husband about all this, about how frustrating it got trying to work on that other painting, and he said, "It isn't what you do."

Yes. That's exactly it. 

Then, I went back to the other painting and began working on it for "whimsical" category, this time doing what I do.

I'm not quite done with this. It needs a little more pop of color and my daughter who is also an artist has already given me some suggestions. But the important thing is that I now actually like this painting. 

It is what I do. 

It's fine to have goals and push yourself out of your comfort zone, and to be inspired by other artists. Necessary even. But remember that being an artist is being YOU as an artist, not someone else. Your job isn't to do exactly what someone else does -- your job is to do what you do. 

Short Story, New Art, and Ebook Sale

My short story is in a magazine called Youth Imagination. "The Guitar" has been published in a couple of anthologies. Now is your chance to read it free online. 

Here's a sneaky peek, including the cool image they chose to highlight my story:

“Dude, please, you gotta take me with you this time.”

Kalek perched on a low branch of a Platinum Oak, his Elven ears poking through a massive mound of ragged curls. I cringed at the way his onyx eyes gleamed. He’d convince me, I was sure, but I wouldn’t go down without a fight.

“No way,” I said, “I’m going camping. Alone. That means without you, so forget it.”

He jumped down from the tree, lithe as a panther, and stood in front of me. “C’mon. I’ve never been off the island. Just this once.”

“Your father will be furious.”

“I know, dude, all the more reason.”

I should have known he’d say that. He’d never admitted it, not outright anyway, but that was pretty much the reason he’d befriended me. There wasn’t a person on the island his old man hated more than me. Why he’d stayed friends with me, I’ll never know. Tattooed Elven rockers and homebody farm boys generally have little in common, but somehow we’d become brothers. My camping trips were the only times I insisted he stay away.

“Uh-uh. Nope. Not a chance,” I said, shaking my head and turning to leave the clearing. As I walked across the carpet of grass and leaves, the forest trees surrounding us began to sway like sentinels.

I suddenly felt trapped by my own will to stay.

CLICK TO CONTINUE

I've listed several pieces of art on my Etsy shop over the past couple of months. Some altered thrift store paintings -- most of the originals have sold, but I've got prints of everything available -- and some original acrylic paintings, also with prints available.

A sampling:

If you see anything that suits your fancy, hop over to my shop JUMPING RAILS. Everything has free shipping.

Oh, and...

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THE EBOOKS.

New Story in DreamForge Magazine: The Clock-Work Heart

 

My newest short story has released in DreamForge Anvil, a wonderful online magazine that publishes all sorts of science fiction and fantasy short stories -- and fortunately for me, they publish steampunk! 

"A Clock-Work Heart" is a retelling of Edgar Allen Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart" but with a twist.

Here's a bit to get you started: 

The automaton had served me well, but I refused to feel remorse about decommissioning him. It , not him . Automatons are things, not people. Everyone knows that. Everyone insists . And Oscar was no exception. He— I mean it was metal and gears, nuts and bolts, springs and wires, nothing more. I would not lose a single night's sleep over this.

The screw I'd been turning broke free of its hole and landed on the worktable with a soft tink . I lifted the corroded and warped plate covering the center of Oscar's chest and set it aside. Light from the sconces above the table reflected and shadowed the peaks and valleys of Oscar's form, amplifying the tarnished appearance and highlighting the numerous dents and scratches. The rest of the workshop remained in moonlit dimness.

 
Just a thing. I'd built... it myself. Designed every feature, carefully placed every part down to the last rivet. I'd given Oscar eyes that could rotate, a hinged jaw, jointed fingers and opposable thumbs, but no one in their right mind could mistake him for human. No skin, no flesh of any kind. Brass plating. Glowing lights. Metal that creaked and clanged with every movement when I failed to keep it oiled properly, and then even with constant oiling— until movement became nearly impossible because of corrosion and other damage. It was imperative the body be obviously mechanical. Machines must be inferior to humans. They have their place. Nothing more than tools.

I had, however, put particular care into Oscar's heart.

If you'd like to read the rest for free, just CLICK HERE. 

The Art You See

Quick post to share that my latest short story release can be found in Havok Publishing's new anthology. Sensational: Havok Season Four is full of flash fiction all inspired by the five senses, and by what could be termed "sixth sense." 

Here's a little teaser from my story, "The Art You See":

We've all heard the stories of tortured artists. Cutting off ears, attempting suicide, drugs, depression. We see their anguish in horrific images, harsh brushstrokes, deep shadows. 

But those sweet cottages, sunshine-yellow flowers, and cherubic children are painted by happy people. Right?

I wish. 

***

My sister walks into my apartment and scrunches her nose. "Really, Jace? Another one?"

I sigh as I shut the door behind her. "Hello to you, too, Teagan." I watch her as she looks my newest acquisition up and down. A creepy forest, filled with shadows. Blood-red tentacles snake from between twisted trees. Claw marks rake the pathway into the forest, as though something has been unwillingly dragged off and swallowed up.

Teagan turns to me, giving me that look. The one she gives me every time. Lips pressed flat, brows scrunched, eyes filled with sadness. "It's so dismal." What she means is, What's wrong with you?

I don't bother arguing. Teagan will never understand. 

You can find Sensational: Havok Season Four on Amazon.  And to subscribe to Havok's online magazine, go to www.gohavok.com. 

Altered Art Aliens Among Us

 When I first started doing altered thrift store paintings, I wanted to make sure I wasn't just copying the artists already doing them. If you aren't familiar with altered thrift store art, it's basically taking a painting from a thrift or antique store, something very basic like a landscape or flower arrangement, and adding things that obviously don't belong. Dragons and other mythological creatures, space ships, characters from TV shows and movies. Pretty much anything is up for grabs, but I didn't want to just do more of what is already out there.

I found two things that tend to be my favored areas: tentacles, because they are so fun to paint and can be worked in in such creative ways. And a little green alien guy, because, well, come on. He's just cute! 

Here's the first alien one I did:

I found the original landscape and could just see a spaceship crash landed in the water. Of course I had to make it tell more of a story.

And that story-telling aspect is what led to more altered thrift paintings featuring this guy, this time with him landing on purpose:

This original was black and white, so I had to get really creative:

This past week, I added a couple more to the series:

I really just posted here today to have a place where all of the paintings in the series are in one place. 

You can buy prints of the first three -- and will soon find the originals and prints of the last two, as soon as the oil paint is dry enough for shipping -- on my Etsy shop JumpingRails. (The first three originals are sold.) You can also find prints of the tentacle paintings and other altered thrift paintings there as well.

For now, though, I just hope you've enjoyed peeking into the little green alien's world. Maybe someday I'll give him a name.