I like a touch of magic with my reality. My characters live on the borders where seen and unseen worlds meet.
In more concrete terms, my fiction mixes history and mental health with the sloppy tangibles of life.
Not coincidentally, so do my personal essays.
Scroll to see:
Fiction
Nonfiction - Essays, Book Reviews, Recordings, etc.
Select Editing Projects
In more concrete terms, my fiction mixes history and mental health with the sloppy tangibles of life.
Not coincidentally, so do my personal essays.
Scroll to see:
Fiction
Nonfiction - Essays, Book Reviews, Recordings, etc.
Select Editing Projects
Fiction (online)
"The Swan Maiden's Children," Ghost Parachute
Flash fiction exploring the dark implications for the children of the original fairy tale, with a beautiful illustration by Kaylan Stedman. You can see more of her artwork here: www.etsy.com/shop/ksillustrationsstore
Flash fiction exploring the dark implications for the children of the original fairy tale, with a beautiful illustration by Kaylan Stedman. You can see more of her artwork here: www.etsy.com/shop/ksillustrationsstore
Art by Kaylan Stedman
"Piano Thieves," Ghost Parachute
Three patients living in a memory care unit take advantage of the fact that dementia leaves the musical part of the brain intact to orchestrate a life-affirming heist. Artwork by the talented illustrator/tattooist Brett J. Barr. You can see more of his artwork here: https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/brettjbarrtattoos/
Three patients living in a memory care unit take advantage of the fact that dementia leaves the musical part of the brain intact to orchestrate a life-affirming heist. Artwork by the talented illustrator/tattooist Brett J. Barr. You can see more of his artwork here: https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/brettjbarrtattoos/
Art by Brett J. Barr
"Sin Eater," Ghost Parachute
Sin Eaters lived on the fringes of 1800s Scotland, Wales, and England, taking on the unconfessed sins of the dead to the peril of their own souls. This flash fiction piece tells the story of Malphus' final meal. Stunningly creepy illustration by Kaylan Stedman. You can see more of her artwork here:
www.etsy.com/shop/ksillustrationsstore
Sin Eaters lived on the fringes of 1800s Scotland, Wales, and England, taking on the unconfessed sins of the dead to the peril of their own souls. This flash fiction piece tells the story of Malphus' final meal. Stunningly creepy illustration by Kaylan Stedman. You can see more of her artwork here:
www.etsy.com/shop/ksillustrationsstore
Art by Kaylan Stedman
Fiction (print)
"The Swan Maiden's Children" in Ghost Parachute: 105 Flash Fiction Stories
After six years of monthly publication, Ghost Parachute produced their first "Best Of" print anthology. I'm very proud that my dark story "The Swan Maiden's Children" was among those chosen.
To support Black-owned businesses and read "The Swan Maiden's Children" and 104 other flash stories by incredible writers, visit:
Ghost Parachute: 105 Flash Fiction Stories at Kizzy's Books & More
After six years of monthly publication, Ghost Parachute produced their first "Best Of" print anthology. I'm very proud that my dark story "The Swan Maiden's Children" was among those chosen.
To support Black-owned businesses and read "The Swan Maiden's Children" and 104 other flash stories by incredible writers, visit:
Ghost Parachute: 105 Flash Fiction Stories at Kizzy's Books & More
"That Which was Fine and Free" Folkloric Retelling
Legends Reborn: Classic Stories as You've Never Heard Them Before, Anthology by Carpathia Publishing
Sadly, this anthology is now out of print. I am actively looking for a new home for this story.
Widow Isla Gibbons spots a mermaid and becomes the reluctant prophetess of her home, a small island in the Western Hebrides, as a result. Isla doles out what wisdom and encouragement she can as people struggle with the onset of a potato famine, the sale of their ancestral land, and the forced emigrations that devastated Benbecula and the neighboring Hebrides islands. Seeing these events as the mermaid's curse, the islanders beg Isla to bless them. But as times grow more desperate, their reverence for her turns to furious scapegoating. Only the mermaid's magic can save Isla from their deadly rage.
"That Which was Fine and Free" is based on records of a mermaid sighting in the 1830s.
To read "That Which was Fine and Free" and other retellings that peek behind the curtains to remake folklore and fairy tales, visit:
Legends Reborn: Classic Stories as You've Never Heard Them Before, Anthology by Carpathia Publishing
20% of profits benefit The Hunger Project.
Legends Reborn: Classic Stories as You've Never Heard Them Before, Anthology by Carpathia Publishing
Sadly, this anthology is now out of print. I am actively looking for a new home for this story.
Widow Isla Gibbons spots a mermaid and becomes the reluctant prophetess of her home, a small island in the Western Hebrides, as a result. Isla doles out what wisdom and encouragement she can as people struggle with the onset of a potato famine, the sale of their ancestral land, and the forced emigrations that devastated Benbecula and the neighboring Hebrides islands. Seeing these events as the mermaid's curse, the islanders beg Isla to bless them. But as times grow more desperate, their reverence for her turns to furious scapegoating. Only the mermaid's magic can save Isla from their deadly rage.
"That Which was Fine and Free" is based on records of a mermaid sighting in the 1830s.
To read "That Which was Fine and Free" and other retellings that peek behind the curtains to remake folklore and fairy tales, visit:
Legends Reborn: Classic Stories as You've Never Heard Them Before, Anthology by Carpathia Publishing
20% of profits benefit The Hunger Project.
"Demon Penis Octopus" Novel Excerpt
Condoms and Hot Tubs Don't Mix, Anthology by Beating Windward Press
Eight-year-old Sarah is mystified when her mother gives her The Talk, complete with diagrams, after her older sister Nina has become pregnant. She's even more mystified when Miss Amy, the children's church leader, gathers all the children to lay hands on Sarah and pray the demon out. As Sarah tries to make sense of penises and demons and what it means for a girl to be "good," the hairline fissures in her family and church widen.
To read "Demon Penis Octopus," along with other excellent pieces that explore the awkward side of sex, visit:
Condoms and Hot Tubs Don't Mix, Anthology by Beating Windward Press
Profits benefit Planned Parenthood.
Listen to Bethany and other contributing authors read excerpts from the
Book Launch via Drunken Odyssey's podcast.
Watch the readings on editor Leslie Salas' Facebook page (My reading begins at 26:26).
Interview with the editors at Florida Book Club.
Condoms and Hot Tubs Don't Mix, Anthology by Beating Windward Press
Eight-year-old Sarah is mystified when her mother gives her The Talk, complete with diagrams, after her older sister Nina has become pregnant. She's even more mystified when Miss Amy, the children's church leader, gathers all the children to lay hands on Sarah and pray the demon out. As Sarah tries to make sense of penises and demons and what it means for a girl to be "good," the hairline fissures in her family and church widen.
To read "Demon Penis Octopus," along with other excellent pieces that explore the awkward side of sex, visit:
Condoms and Hot Tubs Don't Mix, Anthology by Beating Windward Press
Profits benefit Planned Parenthood.
Listen to Bethany and other contributing authors read excerpts from the
Book Launch via Drunken Odyssey's podcast.
Watch the readings on editor Leslie Salas' Facebook page (My reading begins at 26:26).
Interview with the editors at Florida Book Club.
"Hunger is a Wanderer" Historical Fiction
Other Orlandos, Anthology by Burrow Press
After 15 years living in England to avoid Apartheid, Anele returns to Soweto as an investor, eager to foster growth and equality in her home country. With her misshapen guide Sehlolo, she climbs the cooling towers of the decommissioned Orlando Power Plant, only to discover that the celebrated end of Apartheid might not be all that it has promised.
To read "Hunger is a Wanderer," as well as many other short works that are based on Orlandos around the world, visit:
Other Orlandos, Anthology by Burrow Press, 2017
Additional Fiction
In Submission: The Former Lives of Buildings, a novel examining with memory, denial, and dreams spanning generations.
In Submission: The Former Lives of Buildings, a novel examining with memory, denial, and dreams spanning generations.
Nonfiction
Jasmine Sawers' The Anchored World: Flash Fairy Tales and Folklore, Book Review, The Drunken Odyssey podcast
"Miracles in the Time of COVID" Guest blog, Ghost Parachute.
Drunken Odyssey Episode 374: Loose Lips Reading: "The Headlines," Time Stamp 21:45 - 31:05
The Loose Lips Reading Series is an Orlando, FL staple since 2016, where writers respond to the news cycle of the last 30 days.
"The Reality of Our Hopes" Guest Blog post on Ghost Parachute exploring the connection between grieving over Parkland and other mass shootings and waiting for a kidney transplant for my husband.
"Miracles in the Time of COVID" Guest blog, Ghost Parachute.
Drunken Odyssey Episode 374: Loose Lips Reading: "The Headlines," Time Stamp 21:45 - 31:05
The Loose Lips Reading Series is an Orlando, FL staple since 2016, where writers respond to the news cycle of the last 30 days.
"The Reality of Our Hopes" Guest Blog post on Ghost Parachute exploring the connection between grieving over Parkland and other mass shootings and waiting for a kidney transplant for my husband.
Articles
As a former freelancer, I've written content and articles for print and web publications on topics ranging from art to teaching to psychology. Publications included Airbrush Action Magazine, HD Counseling, LLC's Guest Blog, eHow.com, multiple school websites, and others.
From 2013-2016, I owned and operated Resumes by Bethany, serving hundreds of commercial, federal, and academic clients across every populated continent.
As a former freelancer, I've written content and articles for print and web publications on topics ranging from art to teaching to psychology. Publications included Airbrush Action Magazine, HD Counseling, LLC's Guest Blog, eHow.com, multiple school websites, and others.
From 2013-2016, I owned and operated Resumes by Bethany, serving hundreds of commercial, federal, and academic clients across every populated continent.
Editing
I have served as freelance developmental editor on multiple short works and award winning books in fiction and historical nonfiction genres.
Sample Editing Projects
Bath Massacre: America's First School Bombing, Arnie Bernstein, named a Notable Book by the State Library of Michigan
The Holistic Community Magazine, HD Counseling, LLC. Developmental and copy edits.
The Florida Review, Editor & Fact Checker, 2013.
Sample Editing Projects
Bath Massacre: America's First School Bombing, Arnie Bernstein, named a Notable Book by the State Library of Michigan
The Holistic Community Magazine, HD Counseling, LLC. Developmental and copy edits.
The Florida Review, Editor & Fact Checker, 2013.