Fiction
“The Automated Man.” Dreams of Steam II: Brass and Bolts. Dark Oak Press, 2011.
The Automated Man
a short story from the anthology Dreams of Steam II: Brass and Bolts
All Eve Traugott wants is to be a machinist. When the clockmen march into her town to extend the railroad, Eve sets her sights on replicating the marvelous machines. Is it a treasonous act? Eh, maybe. But as long as Statesman Bristed ignores her activities, Eve feels confident everything will turn out her way.
Story Kernels
a limited-series podcast
Episode 1: Cuttle Buddy
Robotic oceanic excavators are bombarded with sudden sentience as granted by the giant psychedelic cuttlefish, who accidentally becomes a robot culture’s messianic figurehead.
Episode 2: Eat Dirt
19th century Resurrection Men get more than they bargained for when they uncover an alien tree raising people from the dead in the form of clones.
Episode 3: Duck Duck Truce
A deep dive through the seedy underbelly of Orlando, Florida uncovers the blood trade of the Orlando Gothia while exploring the ways trauma can manifest in your body and your relationships (and in your ducks).
Episode 4: An Ocean of False Starts
A sculptor runs into difficulties with his muse when the commercial mermaid statues he’s been hired to produce keep coming to life.
Episode 5: The Importance of Being Arboreal
When semi-sentient alien trees return to Earth, personifications of hope and despair argue for humanity’s future.
Episode 6: Are You Afraid of the Space Dark
A trip to the moon uncovers secrets in the dark, requiring cooperation between the untrusting Day Crew and the mysterious Night Scientists.
with guest host Nanci Schwartz
Episode 7: Fate’s Dirty Laundry
One knight risks being seen by the Washer at the Ford to ensure the survival of a nation and protect the one he loves.
Episode 8: Time Travel Like an Egyptian
When the fate of the time stream hangs in the balance, one should always stop for a time-traveling bittersweet lesbian romance.
Episode 9: Mr. Punchable & the Zombie King
Some Chosen Ones defy being chosen.
Episode 10: Editing for the Multiversal Paragon
Parents game the educational system by using technology to rewire their kids so the family can enter the multiverse of their dreams.
with guest host Karen Osborne
Episode 11: Pied Piper Gren Desire (Patreon Exclusive)
A non-binary lounge singer is given a song that can bring the world to ruin.
Nonfiction
The Creative Writing MFA and Beyond
“Querying: It’s Dangerous To Go Alone” (July 9, 2017)
“An Organized Mind: Making Spreadsheets Work For Your MFA.” (March 20, 2016)
“First Semester MFA Wish-I’d-Dones.” (July 26, 2015)
“Under the Dome.” (April 12, 2015)