Ok. Time for the spring Writing Update and we start with two bits of good news.
New Story Out
Timber Ghost Press just published a new story of mine: “Turtles.”
I’m super excited about this one. It has the vibe of a Suspense/Horror, but is definitively a Science Fiction story. Basically, it’s everywhere I want to be.
It was inspired, in part, by a visit I took to the Summit Supercomputer at Oak Ridge National Lab in Tennessee . (If you ever get a chance to go to one of the U.S. National Labs do not hesitate, just go!). It was also inspired by the ever expanding reach of various space telescopes from the Hubble, to the James Webb, to the Euclid, and beyond.
PLEASE NOTE: This story references the theory of a “turtles all the way down” cosmos, which you should read up on, before reading the story if you’re not already familiar with it. (That’s where the story got its title).
I’ve received really good feedback on this story from readers so far. So, if you feel motivated, please leave a review/your thoughts on the page itself for this FREE story. Thanks!
Also, a HUGE THANKS to Timber Ghost’s editor, Sylvia Langille, for seeing something in this story. Appreciate it!!
Poem Accepted by Star*Line Magazine
Second, my poem “Celestial Worm” was accepted by Star*Line Magazine.
It’s my third poem accepted by that magazine (the official magazines of the Science Fiction Poetry Association). And it’s my sixth poem accepted for publication, overall.
The poem is about the hidden resonances between a man, a worm, and a blackhole.
Can’t wait for you all to read it!
Working Ahead on Two Projects
Finally, I’m staying true to my New Year’s resolution (remember those!?) to write only poetry and novels.
I’m sharing my poems with both my Florida Poets’ Circle and the “Poetry Open Mic Night” down on Mount Vernon Avenue at St. Elmo’s Café in Alexandria, Virginia. (It’s the first Friday of the month at 7 p.m.).
St. Elmo’s Open Mic is a public venue and, so, the slightly more daunting one (though very welcoming). I practice, edit, and hone the poem with the Florida Poets first, then bring it to St. Elmo’s to perform.
So far, that’s working really well. I’m excited to bring both the new “Celestial Worm” and the unpublished “Anti-Hydra” to St. Elmo’s after they seemed to do well with the Florida poets. Both are really special poems…Poems about nature and its hidden effects and potentialities.
As for the longer book, I’m pitching a novella now (The Presence) and heads-down on a longer work I’m calling “TPD” for now.
You can follow my weekly progress on all these projects under my Facebook or Bluesky handles. Hope to see you there.
All for now, gotta go write some more.
Take Care Out There and see you next time,
Darius
Inside the Writer's Mind 