Get ready for a visceral ride, as I share a few of my favorite story titles & character situations from Born of Dirt & Dust by Renee Coloman.

The book is fiction. Yet the narratives feel prickly and real. No matter that the book's genre dives into fantasy, sci-fi, and horror. Certain situations demand certain choices. We do what we must to make sense of our realities.

It's a heartbeat away. Only a few more days until the release of Born of Dirt & Dust---a hybrid collection of 23 short stories spread across 200+ pages; the kind of intense narratives that dip and swirl within worlds of fantasy, sci-fi, and horror. Stories that feature diverse characters and settings, offering thoughtful insights into life's hardships and the strength of the human spirit. An experience that will move you, provoke thought, and stay with you long after the last

Born of Dirt & Dust ... Prepare to immerse yourself in this collection of twenty-three captivating stories, artfully blending speculative flash & short fiction doused in literary themes, escapism, sci-fi, and horror.

Sami understood that proper behavior translated into extra bonus points. Especially during substitute-teacher days. And, with enough good check marks next to her name, she would earn the privilege of selecting a special prize posted on the classroom bulletin board, right next to her teacher’s big desk. Right in front of everyone. With a sparkle in her smile, the ambitious second grader focused on the dangling ticket to win a googly-eyed goldfish – FREE! From Mermaid Katy’s A

Currently---before our recent discussion about Cronenberg with my book-club friends, I've been finessing a 1,600-word short story about a boy's relationship with his father, in particular his admiration for father's working-man hands.

Renee Coloman is delighted to share that the editors from Literally Stories selected my work, Once Bitten, for publication---coming this winter.