More 2014, some 2013

Super busy with work lately, but don’t feel too sorry for me- one of my day jobs involves reading a lot of manga and I love my work. I’ve also hit on a streak of inspiration lately, so the writing has been strong. I’ve written roughly five stories since the start of the year. All of them super short flash pieces, but stories nonetheless.

I’m taking a break from my regular scheduled programming to brag a little bit. Two of my stories that were published in 2013 have made it onto Tangent Online’s 2013 Recommended Reading List: ‘House Hunting’ (published in Crowded Magazine) and ‘Colossus’ (published in the June 2013 issue of Penumbra). Both stories got three stars and kind words from their reviewers.

Also in December, fellow writer Danielle N. Gales had some very flattering praise for my story ‘You First Meet the Devil at a Church Fete,’ naming it as one of her favourite stories of 2013. From her blog:

You First Meet the Devil at a Church Fete

by Shannon Fay (Interzone, #246)

Here’s the thing: I hate stories told in second person. Hate them. It’s a gut reaction. Usually I can’t get more than a paragraph in before becoming irritated beyond belief, no matter how well-written, no matter how intriguing the premise. And yet…

This one works. Hell, more than that, I couldn’t imagine it being told any other way. You First Meet the Devil… charts the life of a certain fifth member of a certain band as he is offered a Faustian bargain, and then follows the repercussions of the choice he makes. A great, imaginatively told story, and winner of 2013′s James White award, with good reason.

Wow. It makes me really happy to see my strange Beatles story connect with people.

All right, enough about 2013! Back to work.