In addition to the work I do with Writerpunk Press, I’m delighted to have several pieces in charity anthologies:

In volume one, a group of authors got together to pay tribute to Sir Terrence “Terry” Pratchett, a fantasy genre giant and a sufferer from Alzheimer’s. They formed “The Longest Night Watch,” and, not content with one anthology, went on to enter writing team competitions and plot a follow up volume. And they found other like minded authors, bringing them into the Watch. The second book is the culmination of fun and of reflection, a celebration of speculative fiction and an introspective into the lives and minds of Alzheimer’s patients and their families.

I took both of my parents through Alzheimer’s. While it is a bit adult-themed, my story “I Only Want to be With You” is basically true from something my dad told me — although I had to fictionalize the end.

My heart goes out to all who are involved with this devastating disease, whether as patient, family member or caregiver.

David Bowie: Rockstar, Free Spirit, Goblin King. Cancer victim. Alan Rickman: Angel, Alien, Potions Master. Cancer victim. Lost to us early in 2016, the shock of learning of their private battles–as well as personal experiences with cancer–galvanized a group of authors, editors, publicists and artists to come together and do what we do best–donate our talents to the fight against cancer.

All proceeds from this charity anthology are being donated to some of the most dedicated cancer researchers out there: St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, with the goal of helping them defeat cancer.
This anthology contains short stories and poems inspired by the lives and art of Bowie and Rickman, as well as fiction and non-fiction works about facing cancer in the ones we love and ourselves.

My mother, Sally, was a two-time breast cancer survivor and it didn’t get her — in the end it was the Alzheimer’s. The memoir piece “Melon Farming” is about the time she dropped her prosthesis in the neighbor’s garden, as an example of how my family used humor to cope with her cancer. And pretty much everything else!

Another anthology to benefit cancer research. This one has stories that are all inspired by Christmas carols! Mine is “Under the Mistletoe” and is a peek at what might happen when a little girl really does see Mommy kissing Santa Claus — and worries about what might happen to their marriage!

Happy to report, it’s a Happily Ever After story. NO worries!