Noodles and gentlebeans,

Awards season is upon us, and so I humbly (so humbly) submit to you my eligible stories from 2018. I would be so honored if any of them would even be a memory as you cast your ballot for the Nebulas, Hugos, Locus Awards, World Fantasy Award, etc. Or heck, even think of them at all, ever. Ever, ever. Ever, ever, ever, ever.

Thank you.

I am separating the three pieces I had this year by both category and date of publication.

Short Story Category: (Fiction under 7500 Words)

Jewel of the Vashwa-- Published in Apex Magazine's Zodiac Issue (#111), August, 2018 (3300 words) This is the story of Awanshe, a chitinous woman of the Vashwa. The women of the Vashwa have always been at war with the Scorpion Men of the Ratch; and they have always loved them. It's a story of love, betrayal, jealousy, and lies. So many lies. It is second world fantasy (desert fantasy), and one of my more ambitious projects to date.

Barnes & Noble Sci Fi Blog called it one of the 10 Best Stories of August 2018.

Charles Payseur talked about it in Quick Sip Reviews here.

And SFF Reviews gave it a heartwarming rundown in their writeup here.

Vanessa Fogg mentioned it as one of her favorite stories of August/September here.

Fran Wilde included this story on her list of fiction for 2018

Listed in Maria Haskins’ 2018 Recommended Reading List

The Hollow Tree-- Published in Beneath Ceaseless Skies #264, November 8, 2018 (4300 words) (CW: domestic violence / miscarriage) This is the story of Pira who wants to save her mother from the pain she experiences every night. It is also the story of her father, who is a "much loved man in Stowe," and how a town can love such an evil man, because of the face he puts on. Pira must do what is necessary by bargaining with the fairy of the Hollow Tree to save her mother, and herself. It's a story of family, friendship, and sacrifice.

Charles Payseur gave it a lovely review here.

The 1000 Year Plan called it one of the best SFF stories of November 2018

Maria Haskins listed it as one of the (extra) special stories from November

Reviewed nicely by Steven Capobianco at the Silver Dragon Inn

Listed on Reddit in the Subreddit r/Fantasy (with a nice comment)

Novelette Category: (Between 7500-17,500 Words)

Three Dandelion Stars-- Published in Beneath Ceaseless Skies #254, June 21, 2018 (8500 words) Shai makes a wish that she and the woman she loves can be married. But the swamp fairy that hears this wish makes a bargain that does not go as planned: for the first three falling stars of spring, the fairy gets all the events of the evening. It's a price that Shai is willing to pay, at first. But as the events unfold, and she and her beloved Amarine are married, Shai begins to regret her plan. Queer love, smashing the patriarchy, and found family.

Maria Haskins blogged about it as one of her favorite stories from June.

Charles Payseur wrote a touching review here.

The 1000 year plan gave the novelette a lovely nod here.

Jason Sanford mentioned the piece as one of the best stories of January-June 2018.

Charles Payseur also mentioned it in his X-Marks the Story column here.

In December, I will have my list of stories I loved this year up, I want to wait until the December magazines come out so that they are given fair weight and I'm able to read them and not miss something. As I have no stories coming out in December, you're getting this.

Thanks so much friends for your continued support.

- Jordan Kurella