The end of the year is always a hectic and exciting time, but I am already eagerly looking ahead to the new year, and two projects that I look forward to sharing with everyone when they are released in 2016.
Mad Scientist Journal: Spring 2016
Beginning with the Spring Issue of Mad Scientist Journal in 2016, I will have a series of short stories appearing both online and in the print publication throughout the year, starting with “To Dr. Von Lupe, Concerning the Kraken“.
Follow the ongoing trials and tribulations of marine biologist Dr. Elizabeth Chu, her colleague Dr. Quinn, and their test subject and pet, Suzie Q the sentient squid, as they live in captivity under the control of their evil overlord, the mysterious Dr. Von Lupe. Come back time and again to hear Dr. Chu’s explanations of why it is difficult to teach squid to speak English, why most biologists do not know how to control volcanoes, why radiation will probably not give you super powers, and much, much more.
In February and March of 2016, the three podcasts in the Escape Artists network (Escape Pod, Pseudopod and PodCastle) are holding an event, designed to celebrate female and non-binary writers, called ARTEMIS RISING. And among the pieces chosen for inclusion, my short story “Singing to the Stars” has been chosen for inclusion in Escape Pod, the science fiction podcast.
Tune in to Escape Pod this spring to hear a recording of “Singing to the Stars”, which details the daily work of a translator and a social worker who specialize in helping the many aliens stranded on planet Earth. And stay for the rest of the month to hear work from some other great female and nonbinary writers, as well as the dedicated voice actors bringing the pieces to life for the podcast.
Both of these projects are thrilling opportunities, and I cannot wait to see what else 2016 will have in store.
Alanna McFall 