speculative fiction author
Do you like slightly spooky SF? If so, you’re in luck, because my story “Osteography”, which is all about old bones and the misuse of science, is out in next month’s issue of Cossmass Infinities. I took an online course on osteoarchaeology to write this, which I think is the most intensive research I’ve ever done for a short story.
It’s out on May 1st, and preorders are available now. I’m very proud of it, and I hope you like it too!
I hope you’re finding some bright spots in the seemingly-endless gloom of February lockdown. For me it’s my weekly cuppa from Brodie’s coffee shed on the way to/from work — not so much because of the caffeine as the brief illusion of normality you get from exchanging a few words with a friendly person. I’d never have imagined a cup of tea could be so exciting, but it is what it is.
Anyway, this is a place for news, so here’s something. Two somethings, in fact!
Something the First: My new short story, “Diamonds and Pearls”, is now free to read at Fireside Fiction. It’s about love, language, and finding yourself, and it’s one of the happiest things I’ve ever written. I hope it cheers you up, too.
Something the Second: Back in 2019, I won the Aberystwyth University Prize for a Dystopian Novella for The Word, a short and creepy piece about a fortress Britain where young people with preternatural powers are exploited as weapons of war. The Word was slated to be published in March, but the publication date has now been pushed back to October… because the excellent folks at New Welsh Rarebyte have agreed to publish the expanded, full-length novel version!
I’m very excited, and slightly terrified. Watch this space (or subscribe to my newsletter) for updates, events, and maybe how to get your hands on a review copy…
Because apparently that’s the sort of thing you’re supposed to do when you’re a writer.
You can sign up to it here, if you’re interested in that sort of thing.
Issue #1 of Wyldblood Magazine comes out today! Includes my story, “Thawing”, which features ice dragons, insidious lies, and a very pissed-off princess.
I was chuffed to bits when, earlier this year, J. R. Park of the Sinister Horror Company got in touch and asked if I’d be interested in contributing to their horror advent calendar. Naturally, I heard ‘Christmas horror story’ and thought immediately of the Mari Lwyd (though you’ll hear people arguing about whether she’s a Christmas or a New Year tradition).
The result was “Grey Mary”, and it’s up on the website now! Head on over if you fancy a scare… and don’t forget to check out the other stories while you’re there.
Just thought I’d share this very nice review of Her Magical Pet over at Smart Bitches, Trashy Books.
It’s really positive about the anthology overall, and here’s what the reviewer had to say about “Beach Dirt on Bare Feet”:
‘Beach Dirt on Bare Feet’ by Louise Long, is an F/F selkie story and I loved it. It had a really strong sense of place and feel of the sea about it, and I loved that the story explored the ambivalence and well-earned lack of trust a selkie might feel towards humans. It felt very much in dialogue with the old selkie tales, and it just really, really worked for me. Also, I loved Morvoren’s reaction to tasting human food for the first time – especially ice cream.
Just in case you were considering buying a copy and any of this helps sway you, of course…
It never is! Not round here, anyway.
On which note, you can find my wintry horror story, “White Shapes in Snow”, in the Winter 2020 issue of New Welsh Reader, which came out earlier this week. Content warnings apply: contains drug use and a brief, non-explicit reference to rape.
I’ve also contributed a short piece to the Sinister Horror Company advent calendar, which will be running all month. And no, I don’t know which day it’ll be posted — you’ll just have to keep checking behind the doors.
If you went looking for it, you might have noticed that Her Magical Pet disappeared for a while, thanks to some Annoying Amazon Shenanigans.
Anyway, it’s now been restored, so if you didn’t get your fix of queer love stories and magical critters last time around, you can now rectify the situation here. Have fun!
We’re well into spooky season, so this seems like a good time to mention a couple of stories I’ll have coming out later this year. They’re both in a cold ‘n’ creepy vein — think ghosts and monsters looming out of curtains of snow…
“White Shapes in Snow” is a snowy creature-feature that’s also about the ways we’re complicit in ignoring the abuse around us, and will be appearing in the December issue of the New Welsh Reader.
“Grey Mary” is a ghost story inspired by the Welsh New Year tradition of the Mari Lwyd, and it’ll be one of the entries in a horror advent calendar that the excellent J. R. Park of the Sinister Horror Company is putting together.
As always, watch this space for updates!
Two updates in one day? Must be some sort of record.
Anyway, I’m very pleased to announce my story, “Thawing”, will be appearing in the all-new Wyldblood Magazine in the new year. Features ice dragons, insidious lies, and a very pissed-off frozen princess.
JL GEORGE