Okay, so it’s a little early for Halloween.  (And a little late for Summerween.)  But you’re reading a post by a guy who gets the Christmas itch sometime around Lughnasadh, so let’s not worry too much about temporally displaced holidays.

The reason I’m wishing you all a happy Halloween is because I recently wrote a story about the holiday, and–in a rare fit of competence–also managed to sell it.  “The Fantastic Tale of Miss Arney’s Doubloon” will appear in the 2017 Young Explorer’s Adventure Guide, coming soon to a Kickstarter near you.

Evan Dicken (a contributor to the 2016 YEAG) was the one who pointed out the anthology’s submission call to me, and he deserves credit for this sale:  his critique vastly improved my story.

If you’re wondering what the Young Explorer’s Adventure Guide is, it’s a book of short science fiction stories aimed at 9-12-year-olds.  If you’re wondering what it looks like, this should give you a pretty good idea.

I’m not sure the book will be out in time for Halloween 2016, but don’t worry:  you can read my story at any time of year.  After all, calendars are just guidelines, not regulations.

Merry Christmas!

-Z