It seemed like nothing much was happening for me on the publishing front for a long time, and I was beginning to wonder when my forthcoming stories were actually going to…well… forthcome.  If the past few days are any indication, the answer to my wonderings is “soon.”  I received not one, not two, but three sets of story proofs since Friday.  That on top of the recently returned proofs for “The Schrödinger War.”

I’ve already returned proofs for “The Octopus Garden” due out sometime in late August (provided there’s no stumbling blocks) in the octopus-theme anthology Suction Cup Dreams.  The editor, David Joseph Clarke, was kind enough to send a proof of the entire anthology, and I have to say, the art work he commissioned is excellent.  Every story got an interior illustration, and the one done by Natasha Aldred for my story is fantastic.  I’ve not read the other stories yet, but I’m looking forward to it.

I also finished reviewing the proof for “Portraits from the Shadow,” which will appeared later this year in InterGalactic Medicine Show.  It’s been a while since I’ve looked at that story, so it caught me off guard as I was reviewing the editorial suggestions.  It’s an emotional father-son story that really tugged at me.  I’m happy with the story and even more pleased it’s found a great home.  One of the many reasons I’m looking forward to it appearing in IGMS because they commission artwork for all their stories, and I can’t wait to see what the artist comes up with.

I also got the proofs for “The Negotiation,” due out next week from Daily Science Fiction.  Unlike most other publications, DSF sends out proofs fairly late in the publishing process, so I always feel a little rushed to review and return them.  I got the proofs today; it’s a flash story, so I should be able to turn it around this evening.  Subscribers to DSF will get the story next Wednesday, July 17, and all the rest of you can read it free online a week later.

That about “proofs-out” my forthcoming stories (only “From the Darkness Beneath” remains, and I’ve not heard anything on its status since the sale).  It should be a busy summer-fall with story releases, so check back frequently.