Hi friends! It’s been quite a few months. Four of my short stories have been published. And you can read some of them for free! Let me tell you about them and share some behind-the-scenes for each one.
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“Agent of Wrath”
Published in Pretty Girls Make Graves: A Feminine Rage Anthology from River Gardner Horror
Available in ebook and paperback here: https://shorturl.at/luzB8
Twelve-year-old Rebecca encounters a predatory priest while trick-or-treating with her older brother Ryan. But she’s got a few tricks up her sleeve to hold Father Pete accountable: duct tape, a video camera, a knife, and a few well-chosen Bible verses about wrath and vengeance. The archbishop will be hearing about this.
Please note content warnings for my story. All of these are non-explicit and I have done my best to handle them with care. These topics are mentioned (and some may consider them spoilers): sexual abuse, religious trauma, violence, and suicide.
Here’s what people are saying about “Agent of Wrath.” I’m so glad that readers have liked it. This is my horror debut, so I was not sure what to expect, but it seems like it’s gone over really well.
“Agent of Wrath (Claire Olivia Golden) hits it out of the park when her main character takes matters into her own hands with the local predatory priest. This was so impactful and really showed how abuse can ripple outwards.” – Kate Victoria
“What a great start to this anthology! This story f***ing broke me. Rebecca is out trick or treating with her older brother Ryan and when they get to the local priests house this is where things take a very dark turn and TWIST👀” – Paige Ray
“Things start off strong with Claire Olivia Golden’s “Agent of Wrath”, which follows a girl determined to make a beloved local priest pay for taking liberties with his parishioners and had a great twist ending that made the story even more impactful.” – Stuart Knott
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“Deathwriter”
Published in Indie Bites: Spirits & Spellcasters
Read for free here! https://www.silversunbooks.com/post/spirits-spellcasters-issue-16
When 12-year-old Ami dies in a car crash, she persuades grumpy, overworked Death to grant her an “Unfinished Business” extension. All she wants is to read the last book in her favoite fantasy series when it releases next month. But when they discover the series is written by a ghostwriter, they realize Ami has been granted immortality and neither are prepared for the consequences.
This short story was originally published in the Folk Tales from the Hinterland anthology published by Gurt Dog Press, my first publisher. But their books are now out of print, and I was bummed because I’m quite proud of “Deathwriter.” I’m so glad that it found a new home with the Indie Bites team.
What I love most about Indie Bites is that their issues are published for free so that readers can discover new authors. You can also buy a paperback edition at print cost (so the publishers aren’t making any money from it). So that means you can read it for free!
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“Raya’s Revenge”
Published in Indie Bites: Forests & Familiars
Read for free here! https://www.silversunbooks.com/post/forests-familiars-issue-15
Hidden away in the forest at Bellflower Monastery, half-elf, half-elataur Raya waits for the day when she can harness her magic and seek revenge on the ones who took everything from her. Until a troublemaking halfling named Glen arrives at the monastery and threatens to ruin everything.
This story was so much fun to write because it was based on a DnD campaign I participated in last year. Raya and Glen are my and my husband’s characters.
“Raya likes the quiet time. She listens to the rustle of the forest outside and lets her mind drift. She thinks of moon celebrations and seasonal solstices back in the Meadow, of honey- sweetened tea and tart berries on her tongue, of a time when she had a home. When she belonged.”
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“Mortal Affairs”
Cowritten with Keaton Farrell
Published in Hearthside & Heartstrings: A Cozy Fantasy Anthology from Azala Press
Available in ebook and paperback here! https://shorturl.at/DvwzH
I’ve saved the best for last…because this is 1) a chonker of a short story and 2) the first time I’ve cowritten something. It is 15,000 words (my other short stories are usually between 5k and 7k words). It is extremely gay. And it has a corgi.
My cowriting debut with one of my best friends in the whole world, @farrellkeaton9! Keaton and I met in a J.R.R. Tolkien class in college and have been inseparable since. We were bridespeople in each other’s weddings and regularly exchange completely unhinged texts and memes. Keaton has talked me down from panic attacks, supported me through coming out as bisexual, fangirled about how gay Frodo and Sam are, given emotional support through a breakup, and even offered advice when I first started dating my husband. You ever meet someone who becomes like family? That’s the case here.
It was only a matter of time until we wrote a story together, and I am beyond thrilled to introduce you to “Mortal Affairs,” our cowriting debut (but certainly not our last)! It is based on a RPG that we did back in college with Keaton as the DM.
“Mortal Affairs” is about a girl named Ellis who works in a New Age bookshop in a small town in Washington far away from her fundamentalist family who don’t approve of her queerness or her magical studies. When a hardcover book falls on her head one day at work, Ellis has a near-death experience where she meets the gorgeous Amber, Queen of the Underworld…and falls head over heels with her. After she returns to the land of the living, Ellis begins seeing ghosts, including the ghost of her beloved corgi Bean, and her newfound abilities overwhelm her. Why can Ellis suddenly perform death magic? It’s up to Ellis and Amber to find out and restore her to normal.
“Mortal Affairs” is part of the Hearthside & Heartstrings cozy fantasy anthology from Azala Press. I cannot wait for you to meet Ellis and Amber. This is a story that’s very close to my heart, and it’s Keaton’s first publication, so I am elated that I get to be part of it.
Congratulations to Keaton on your writing debut! I know it will not be the last!
And…we hit the bestseller list! #1 New Release in Fantasy Short Stories on Amazon!
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That was a lot of news for one newsletter. I hope you check out some of these short stories and enjoy reading them if you do. Thank you so much for your kindness and support! I appreciate you all.