Winter is just another Tide, like Yule. But together, Yuletide says good-bye to the gloom. Learn why we love winter and how our newest published story bloomed. Plus, Crokell and Dante pictures!
I hope everyone’s first week of December went well. Mine has been a whirlwind. I often think that while the temperature cools down, the world speeds up. It always feels like the wonderful cloudy coolness, the misty mornings that should be long and drawn out with a hot cup of tea and a puppy sitting at your feet, pass in a flash. If you didn’t know I love fall and winter, I guess you do now. The cool that makes it so important to cook stews, wear sweaters, and bake treats to keep up the cheer, puts the heart in winter. And of course, my pups love it. The colder the better.
This year is no different. The short days pass in a flash, as if the sun rises and sets in a blink. I wonder what it will be like if I move to Alaska, where the winter sun is only a fleeting glimmer in the sky.
But we have great news! After his neutering, Dante is healed up and is almost used to being it-ified. Crokell is loving the cool evenings and is not sure he should have to come in when it is so nice outside. And the kitties, Aki and Beleth, have told me they have defended the house from all sorts of outside critters. Although besides a bug or two, I am not sure who they mean.
One of the roses didn’t handle the summer well. So Tod got me a replacement. It has been planted and appears to be doing well. I am going to be trimming back the roses later today. They need a little fall pruning, as Houston rarely has winter.
Other than that, life goes on. I am hoping to find more words for fiction and science alike. Speaking of fiction words, we and several of our fellow Alpha Merc friends ( and ) as well as a few authors I really admire like Lydia Sherrer and a forward by David Weber have all being included in a wonderful holiday anthology called The Magic of Yuletide. The other authors include Stephanie Osborn (also an editor), Dale Kesterson, Aaron Canton, and Sarah Arnette.
It just recently went up for pre-order. Available December 9!
Stephanie Osborn is one editor and provided feedback and edits, even with the short timeline. Copyediting was handled by Jon Nials. Stephanie Osborn also did something I have not seen many editors/publishers do — keep all of us involved updated. I mean really updated on everything going on with the anthology from copy edits, the status of the ebook, the status of the print additions, issues, and everything in between. I think in this one anthology I was exposed to more about publishing than I have been in most of our other anthologies combined.
Our story in The Magic of Yuletide is titled “Ice Blue and the Christmas Rescue.” Tod and I created a fun, new universe called Canifel (Canines and Felines). Think of it as a magical version of Nano Sapiens. However, I created a whole cosmetology when we were designing this world. Tod, of course, toned that down, as I likely would have spent a year building the story bible. “Ice Blue” is another of our cute, animal-character driven stories, with a Christmas twist - as it is a Yuletide Anthology.
Chaos Tip of the Week
Puppies won’t let you forget to check the mail if they watch for the carrier, especially when you get cat and dog treats delivered!
Critter’s Weekly Question
What is your favorite Christmas or winter memory? Something that just makes you feel the spirit of winter is with you. If you were a writer, how do you tie those types of memories into your work?
The Magic of Yuletide contains “Ice Blue and the Christmas Rescue”
Chromosphere Press is proud to announce the release of its first anthology, The Magic of Yuletide, a family-friendly collection of holiday-themed short stories, on December 9, just in time for celebrating the holidays.
Ebook available for pre-order! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G4XM2KY7
Print available for pre-order! https://www.amazon.com/Magic-Yuletide-Lydia-Sherrer/dp/1950633411
Authors with stories in this delightful collection include Lydia Sherrer, Stephanie Osborn, Aaron Canton, Tiffanie Gray, and more. Foreword by David Weber!
This contains “Ice Blue and the Christmas Rescue”, the first story in our new Canine-Feline universe Canifel! Our story includes giant breed dogs and a Maine Coon cat who learns something about Christmas from an unlikely source - a human boy.
What the publisher says:
The winter holidays — Christmas, Chanukah, Yule/Solstice — have always been a magical time of year, and likely will continue to be, now and into the future.
Stories of holidays past, present, and future — even on other worlds — are all part of the magic.
Join us in adventures on Earth and beyond, where you’ll find stories for children, family-friendly escapades, and spine-chilling exploits that will delight, enchant, and provide food for thought.
Come with us and learn The Magic of Yuletide!