For the Love of Books

We are one month into 2025 and the year is starting off…well, it’s been…I guess it’s a little…it’s started! Yeah, let’s go with that. Anyway, January was chock full of writerly stuff to distract me and fill my days. Let’s get into it.

TBRCon 2025

In case you missed it, FanFiAddict’s free virtual SFFH convention, TBRCon, happened January 16-29. I was in attendance watching panels all week long and had a blast! I attended 14 total panels and took 10 pages of notes. As is only fitting, my TBR pile has grown considerably since TBRCon, and I learned a lot that I hope to apply to my writing and career this year.

TBRCon 2026 is already being planned, so if you missed it this year, I highly recommend you check it out next year. But also if you missed it—fear not! All the panels are recorded and available for free on the FanFiAddict YouTube channel. Overwhelmed and don’t know where to start? I posted a Round Up of all the panels I attended with their details, descriptions, and some key takeaways I had so you can get a peek into the convention and decide which panels sound most interesting. Enjoy!

Fantasy Magazine is Back!

It’s back! Fantasy magazine closed its doors back in 2023, and it was one of the saddest days ever. Fantasy is one of my all time favorite magazines. The work they published was stellar, and I had always wanted to someday see a story of mine in their issues. That seemed like a dream lost until indie publisher Psychopomp—home of the spectacular magazine The Deadlands—has resurrected (so fitting) Fantasy with Shingai Njeri Kagunda and Arley Sorg!!! You can read the full announcement on their website, but I am so ecstatic that a favorite magazine is coming back, under such a great publisher and with such awesome editorial leads. The short fiction landscape often feels like it has more bad news than good these days, but this, folks, is some great, great news.

New Website Logo!

Notice anything different around here? That’s right, I made a new logo for myself! This was inspired by my artwork that I put together for my award eligibility posts. I liked it so much, I decided to tinker with it some more to make a new banner for my website. And then I liked THAT so much that I decided to go all in for my dream of having my own logo. And here it is!

It is my initials, like the last one, but this time the T is a sword because it’s Cool™️, and there’s a bit more flair to it all. This also means there was a slight change in my website colors, formatting, etc., but nothing that (should) impact your end of things. As I said in my last update, I am making some changes to my online presence and this is one of the first!

Nebula Nominations Closing

This month marks the deadline for the Nebula Award nominations. SFWA members, your ballots are due at 11:59 PM PST on February 28th, so be sure to get all your favorite eligible works of 2024 in there. And if you would like to toss any of my stories in, I would be absolutely thrilled. All my work is eligible under the Short Story category, and “They Will Dance Among Planets” has been recommended on the Nebula Reading List for your consideration.

Locus Award Nominations Open

Nebulas may be closing soon, but the Locus Awards are officially open for your nominations. And when I say “your” I mean YOU! Whoever you are! The Locus Awards accept nominations from anyone. You do not need to be a member, buy a membership, or anything. You simply need to make an account (that does not spam you at all. It’s literally just for voting) and then go and submit your favorite creative works of 2024. There will be the suggestions filled in already from the Locus recommended reading list, but you can also write in your faves. The poll is open from February 1st until April 15th, so plenty of time to get reading and nominating.

I would be absolutely honored if you considered my work for the Locus awards. Same as with the Nebulas, my work is eligible under the Short Story category. Please consider any of my eligible stories shown in the graphic below or listed on my award eligibility page on my website. Thank you for your support!

Show Some Love for Books Inc.

Speaking of support: Independent bookstores are the unsung heroes of writers and readers. Their support of authors is invaluable, and their contributions to their local communities is unparalleled. It is vital that we protect and support them as much as possible, and one such store needs your help.

Books Inc. is an independent bookstore chain from my home state of California, and they just recently announced they have filed for Chapter 11 reorganization and will be closing one of their stores. They are not going away, but this is still a concerning development. As we enter into February and Valentine’s day, may I suggest that in lieu of buying your special person (which can totally be yourself) candy or flowers, you consider supporting Books Inc. and buying them a book. Not in CA? Books Inc. has a website, or you can select Books Inc. to support via the fabulous Bookshop.org, an online retailer for independent bookstores and an excellent alternative to some other online websites that shall not be named.

Let’s show some love for books!

Weekend Warrior 💪

In fun, personal news, you know what else else has filled my time this January? Writing, that’s what! At the beginning of every year, my writing group, Codex, does a flash fiction contest called Weekend Warrior where we all write stories to prompts over, you guessed it, the weekend. At the time of writing this, we are three weeks into the contest, which means I have already written three new stories for 2025. I can’t say too much else because it is all anonymous. I know some of my fellow Codexians will see this post, and I intend to maintain my air of mystery and intrigue so they can’t guess which stories are mine. All will be revealed at the close of the contest later this month, and hopefully I will have new stories out in the submission wilds by then, too. Wish me luck!

January gave new meaning to the phrase “hit the ground running.” I don’t anticipate February being much different. I’ve got a lot of things cooking over on my end, and I cannot wait to share them with you soon.

Keep on writing on.

—Catherine