September has been a rather busy month, meaning I’ve struggled to do as much writing as I would have liked. With the next anthology deadlines coming up in October, I have made some progress though, and I’m hoping to have a few stories ready to submit in time.
The main thing that happened this month was ‘Guard Against Hunger’ being published in the Wild North conbook. In addition, ‘Perry Vale’ was presented at the con’s Open Mic event. I have received some heartwarming feedback from a few con attendees about ‘Guard Against Hunger’ and this has boosted me through some pretty dark days.
The editorial process for the fifth Furry Historical Fiction Society book concluded this month, so I spent most of the first half of September in editor mode. It’s a fantastic collection of stories, and I am really looking forward to its release. I hope it’s well received as the FHFS collections are very dear to my heart.
I had my first AI agent approach me earlier in the month too, so I decided to write about it. While at least they were open about what they wanted, it still left a sour taste in the mouth. The increasing encroachment of AI into everything that’s valuable in life depresses me, as does the overblown hype and the insistence we should use the damned technology. I just want it all to go away, even though I know that’s not going to happen.
Related to this, I’ve been dealing with a real crisis of confidence of late. I have been feeling somewhat negative about my writing over the last few weeks, linked to my inability to find the time to do it. In addition, I have started to doubt myself and have become somewhat demoralised. I hope I can rediscover my positive feelings, but things are pretty tough right now in other areas of my life, and it’s all bleeding through. Recent comments from friends have helped though – the aforementioned ones concerning ‘Guard Against Hunger’ and a touching review of ‘Hemlock’ I received this past weekend. I am therefore entering October optimistically.
September Reading:
Roar 9 – Edited by Mary E. Lowd