- The short story this season comes with multiple TRIGGER warnings. It’s pure horror, after all, and here’s what to look out for: a terrible relationship, robots that learn, and more than a little body horror. If you have an intense phobia about bees, maybe give this one a go-by. Pollinator
- I’ve been working on villains over the winter, and have two short stories focused on Clementine North, mother of The Boy Without Magic. I’m excited to send you this equinox gift, the story of what makes Clementine a villainess and why. Trigger warnings: implied child abuse and a murderous death.
- In The Book of Light Prudence Parker is given the task to turn the village of Holiday away from darkest magic. The themes are human sacrifice and death—trigger warnings although I’ve used narrative distance for the more gruesome parts.
- A Little Treason comes with a couple of warnings. In the 1970’s, Holiday has a population of female witches, all slightly on the wrong side of right. There’s talk of human sacrifice and one especially mean girl.
- “The Uncertainty of Knowing” seems like it starts in winter, too, a dark season full of ghosts and icy cold. But winter can’t last forever, although here too, winter runs right into a magical summer.
- “Blue Ribbon Rose” Brock’s got a shady past and a truckful of gardening tools. And he can handle anything that little old woman throws at him.
- “Solstice Sweet Sixteen” Some witches will do anything to avoid the burning stake. But when you’re just turning sixteen, what can possibly harm you?
- “Dorey Clarke Goes to Hollywood” It’s hard to leave home only to find violence, exploitation and perversion. But Dorey’s no ordinary witch.