I dunno. Maybe I should have waited. AC is over two weeks away and the days will be long between for those of you going, but lets be honest here; I’ve been pretty excited since about five this morning and only an early rise followed by a work thing with no outside internet has kept me shut up for nearly ten hours. I don’t remember any of what I learned today, honestly. How many days in a row can I smilingly daydream of coyotes and still keep my job?

I was honored to have my story chosen for Heat 11 several months ago, stewarded along by the story-tailoring talents of The Dark End, who was firm, supportive and great to work with. I was supremely glad to be in Heat, already knew that some of my favorite authors were going to be on board and Dark End made the experience positive in every way.

I woke this morning to a tweet from Huskyteer, passing on the news that the listing for Heat was up and I checked the link as I prepped for work. I read the TOC with interest. Literally everybody I love is in this issue! Kyell Gold introduced me to the vast possibilities in antho fiction, taking the complications of extra-human sensuality seriously in a way I’d never seen and inspiring me to pick up the pen that I’d dropped years ago in despair. Whyte Yote demonstrated the beauty in kinks of all kinds and the ways in which we use desires to find truth in ourselves. Huskyteer lead me to the focal point where humor and love for adventure intercede with grace and Tempe O’kun brought me back to the West and rekindled a love in period fiction I didn’t know I’d lost. These are mere fragmentary nods to the above author’s ongoing accomplishments, and I am equally excited to share space with the other writers in this issue who’s work I’m not yet familiar with. The company each of these writers is enough to smile about all on its own.

And yet there was more! In addition to finding out that my story is going to be illustrated by Ludo/Bloodshot23, an amazingly dynamic and expressive artist who’s work I am quickly becoming familiar with, and who’s interpretation of my characters is something I’m excited to see, I discovered that I’ve been granted an additional gift.

I can say with complete honesty that I don’t deserve the honour given me when placed against the incredible pool of talents above. My story, Jewels of Remorse, was chosen as the cover image of eleventh issue of Heat. It’s a wraparound cover that features a pivotal moment of my story, rendered by the expert brush of Blotch , who’s work decks dozens of novels and anthologies on my shelf. I don’t have the vocabulary on hand to say just how fucking blown away I am by how cool that is. I wrote a bunch of test tweets, and the ZOMG!!! eye-bugging just didn’t say enough, no matter how I put it down. I tweet-drafted a battery to death. Proud of that strangely.

I’m very grateful to Sofawolf, Dark End, Black Teagan, Alopex and Jeff Eddy as well as everybody who’s filled this anthology’s pages. I hope the July 4th weekend is the best con ever for every cool thing I’m gonna blow my paycheck on. (Uncovered!) I wish I could make it to Anthrocon this year to thank you all in person, but the above gushiness will have to suffice until I can swing down your way.

And make beer or something like that happen.

Slip!

Heat 11 can be preordered for Anthocon pickup or home delivery by clicking here