Published short stories and essays

Paper hearts. Candy hearts. Why not give your actual heart?

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Originally published in Clarkesworld

This story was inspired by Life of Pi, one of my favorite novels. Believing something doesn't make it true. But it can make it true to us.

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Originally published in Abyss&Apex

A scientist discovers a way to purge his brain of the misfolded proteins that are normally cleared during sleep. Now he doesn't need to sleep. Or does he?

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Originally published in Analog Science fiction

Some fall far from the literal tree.

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Originally published in Beneath Ceaseless Skies

This was my first professionally published story (ie, more than 10c per word). Looking back, it tells me a lot about the relationships in my life then. 

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Originally published in Strange Horizons

I made my science fiction debut in fifth grade when I wrote the school play. It was about a giant humanoid time-traveling potato. I'd like to think that I've grown a bit as a writer since then. But then again, this story is about a giant humanoid space-faring slug, so maybe not.

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First place, Diamond Light Source short story contest

Physics as applied to relationships and love.

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Originally published in Turbo Charged Fortune Cookie

This story is dedicated to Inkey, a wild crow who was my best friend in sixth grade. Yes, I was a strange kid.

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Originally published in Scape Magazine

In this story I was making fun of our arbitrary cultural ideals about beauty, clothing and secondary sexual characteristics.

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Originally published in Khimairal Ink

This is my one and only horror story to date, and how hurting someone can bring out the worst in them. 

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Originally published in Aoife's Kiss Magazine

It's easy to divide the world into good and evil. Growing up means learning to be brave enough not to do that. 

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Originally published in Allegory Magazine

There are five things you need to tell someone before they die: 1) I forgive you, 2) Please forgive me, 3) Thank you, 4) I love you, and 5) Goodbye.

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Originally published in ken*again

The transitions in life stick to us like lint on a sweater, which we sometimes don't notice until after the day is over.

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Originally published in Lady Churchill's Rosebud Wristlet Issue #21, and also a finalist in the Writers of the Future contest. 

I wrote this after spending a week with my sister, helping with her two young children, and discovering how unbelievably hard it is to raise children.

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Originally published in Allegory Magazine

This story addresses something I wonder about a lot: does religeon actaully make us better people?

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This story won 1st place in the Firebrand Fiction contest. 

A silly story about alien relations. Possibly too many relations.​

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Originally published in Strange Horizons

Yes, named after the song.

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Originally published in the Why I Hate Aliens anthology.

We humans are consummate immitators. Sometimes it takes a ghost to help us break that cycle.

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Originally published in Allegory Magazine

I wrote this story after learning to play the game of Craps, experiencing first hand the thrill of winning (which keeps you playing) and the despair of losing (which keeps you playing).

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Originally published in Electric Wine

Sometimes being desperaately in love can feel like being haunted.

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Originally published in Dark Planet