Reading at the Philly Free Library + New Story Day!

This should probably be two separate blog posts, but it’s been a busy few days, so both announcements are going into one lump sum. Basically, I have some exciting news!

1) I’ll be doing an online reading for the Philadelphia Free Library this Friday, June 5th at 7pm with Molly Lazer. It’s part of an ongoing reading series by local authors and you can stream it for free here.

2) I have a new novelette available at Uncanny Magazine today! It’s called “Burn or the Episodic Life of Sam Wells as a Super.” You can read it OR listen to the podcast. At the end of the podcast there’s also a short interview with me.

This story is very dear to me and it took me a long time to get right. Seven years, to be exact. There were many, MANY drafts of this piece and many points when I thought this story was the best it could be – when it wasn’t.

It was only when I reread the story last August, after a few years of it collecting dust on my hard drive, that I understood what it was missing. The story wasn’t weird enough. So, characters’ abilities were made stranger and wormholes were added.

The songs I listened to on repeat while writing this was “Lion’s Roar” by First Aid Kit and “Welcome Home” by Radical Face. This story also takes place in the same universe as “Team Work” published in Fireside last year

The world is a scary, scary place right now, but I hope stories continue to bring you relief and joy.

Stay safe.

“Give the Family My Love” Finalist for Nebula Award

I’m beyond excited to announce that my short story “Give the Family My Love“, which was originally published in Clarkesworld Magazine, is a finalist for the 2019 Nebula Award!

If you’re wondering what the Nebula Awards are, they’re like the Oscars for science fiction and fantasy writers. Members of Science Fiction Writers of America (SFWA) nominate works in several categories and vote on the final ballot. There’s an awards ceremony and everything. Here’s the full list of nominees.

The winners will be announced on May 30th, 2020.

I’m so honored to have this story listed among such good writers and their amazing work.

ConFusion 2020 Schedule

2020…that’s a strange thing to type. The future is here, I guess.

Anyway, on January 16th-19th 2020, I’ll be at ConFusion in Detroit, MI. This will be my second time at this convention and I’m so excited! It’s a smaller convention with a great SFF writing track and lots of excellent people in attendance. The schedule was announced a few days ago and here’s mine:

Saturday, January 18th, 1:00 pm – Reading: A. T. Greenblatt, Stephanie Malia Morris, Patrick Lofgren

Saturday, January 18th, 3:00 pm – Mass Autographing Session

Sunday, January 19th, 11:00 am – Panel: The Epistolary Resurgence

Epistolary fiction is experiencing a renaissance: Max Gladstone and Amal El-Mohtar’s This Is How You Lose The Time War, K Arsenault Rivera’s The Tiger’s Daughter, and other titles are showing modern audiences just how much depth and range letters can have as a storytelling device. What do we love most about the epistolary format, and where would we like to see it take us next?

Panels: Emma Törzs (m), A. T. Greenblatt, Alexandra Manglis, Scott H. Andrews, Sarah E Gibbons

If you’re planning on being there, please feel free to come say hello!

Year End Eligibility Post 2019

It’s that time of year again where writers and readers start looking back at what’s been published in the last 12 months. I think I say this every year, but I really mean it this time: 2019 was an INCREDIBLE year for me in terms of publishing. I had 6 short stories come out in professional markets and my first nonfiction essay, as well as a handful of reprints.

Here’s the list. Some stories have an audio version too. They can be found at the link.

THE FICTION STUFF

Give the Family My Love – Clarkesworld Magazine (with an audio version) – 5,300 words

I’m beginning to regret my life choices, Saul. Also, hello from the edge of the galaxy.

Before the World Crumbles Away – Uncanny Magazine – 6,000 words

The lakeside painter is lying, but no one seems to care.

It’s a beautiful lie, even Elodie will admit that. There are two lovers on the pier with the painter, sitting for their portrait, and she’s honest about the way the light of the setting sun catches their hair, the way the breeze ripples their clothes, how they lean into each other. She gets so many details right that even Elodie doesn’t notice what’s missing at first.

On the Other Side of the Line – Fireside Magazine (with an audio version)- 1,700 words

My dog is longing for something just out of reach.

Move Forward, Disappear, Transcend – Clarkesworld Magazine (with an audio version) – 2,400 words

I lost my favorite fingers as I was walking to the library. Spotting it first from the corner of my eye, I glanced down. A gasp seized up in my throat. Instead of the long, beautiful, expertly manicured prosthetics that Sonya made me, there were ten empty nubs. And the grief I’d been carrying these last few months grew heavier

Team Work – Fireside Magazine (with an audio version available) – 1,000 words.

I was never an amazing Super. I only joined the team because I wanted to be with people like me. I never thought I’d, you know, try to save anyone.

The Gods of Empty Places -Pantheon Magazine – 1,500 words

Jamie was the first of us to give a piece of herself to the gods of empty places. She started by trimming the tip of her left ring finger.

THE NONFICTION STUFF

How to Send Your Disabled Protagonist on an Adventure in 7 Easy Steps – Uncanny Magazine 1,200 words

And that’s the list! I’m always looking for recommendations. What have you read this year that you enjoyed?

Baltimore Book Festival 2019 Schedule

It’s not really a convention per se, but I love the Baltimore Book Festival. It brings in a great draw of writers from up and down the East Coast. I adore seeing my friends there and always meet new people every year. If you’re a speculative fiction writer and in the area, I recommend checking out the Science Fiction Writer of America events at the festival. They have a constant stream of panels Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Here’s the full schedule.

This year, the festival will be from Nov 1st-3rd. I’ll be on two panels on Saturday, Nov 2nd. They are:

2 PM — Blind Swordfighters & Wheelchairs on Starships: Making Space for Disability in SFF
An #OwnVoices panel of writers discussing disability in SFF worldbuilding.
Panelists: Day al-Mohamed, AT Greenblatt, Victoria Lee, Sunny
Moraine, Elsa Sjunneson-Henry

5 PM — All Fiction in A Day: The Beauty & Brilliance of Commute-Length Reads
Panelists make the case for why short fiction, whether in magazines, podcasts, anthologies, or collections, encapsulates the best of the SFF genres. Find out who you should be reading!
Panelists: Nino Cipri, AT Greenblatt, Barbara Krasnoff,
LH Moore, Karlo Yeager Rodriguez, Nibedita Sen, AC
Wise

If you’re going to be there, please feel free to say hello!

“On the Other Side of the Line” Now Live at Fireside Magazine!

I’m very excited to announce that my story “On the Other Side of the Line” is now live and free to read over at Fireside Magazine! It’s narrated by the fantastic C. S. E. Cooney and it has an amazing illustration by Amanda Makepeace.

This isn’t a happy story, but it’s one I felt I needed to write. It was fueled by loss and the looming grimness of our future. It was heavily influenced by some traveling I did where there was an international fence line and witnessing people on the other side standing of it, staring through the wires.

It’s not a happy story, but I’m happy with the way it turned out.

The dog in the story is based on a real one. He name was Tiger and he was the best. We lost him over a year ago and I still miss him dearly.

Picture of Tiger

Oh! I almost forgot. The song I listened to on repeat while writing and editing this story was Now and Not Yet by Hammock.

Give your loved ones a hug tonight.

Reading at Charm City Spec!

I know, two posts on this blog in one week after ages of silence.

Yet here we are and I thought I should tell you that I’m going to be part of a reading on October 23rd with Baltimore’s Charm City Spec. I’m thrilled to be sharing this reading with two talented authors, Cadwell Turnbull and Vivian Shaw! The reading is happening at 7pm in Bird in Hand Cafe in Charles Village.

I’d love to see you there if you’re in the area!

WorldCon 2019 Dublin Schedule

I’ve just returned from Launch Pad, which was fantastic and I hope to have a write up about it soon. But in the meantime, here’s my schedule for WorldCon!

Liking problematic things

When: 15 Aug 2019, Thursday 12:00 – 12:50, Liffey Hall-2 (CCD)

Description: What happens when you find out that something you really love is sexist, racist, homophobic, ableist, or similarly problematic – or that a performer, director, or producer whose work you liked a lot is not who you thought they were? Can you still enjoy problematic creations? How do you reconcile your enjoyment with your values? Our panellists have felt your pain and have some tips to share.

Panelists: Leo Adams, A. T. Greenblatt, Sam Hawke, Sarah Gulde (M) \

Autographs: Friday at 16:00

16 Aug 2019, Friday 16:00 – 16:50, Level 4 Foyer (CCD)

Participants: Alex Acks, Regina Kanyu Wang, A.J. Hackwith, Dr. Mary Watson, Jo Zebedee, A. T. Greenblatt

Kaffeeklatsch: A. T. Greenblatt

18 Aug 2019, Sunday 14:00 – 14:50, Level 3 Foyer (KK/LB) (CCD)

Using science in fantasy writing

When: 18 Aug 2019, Sunday 16:00 – 16:50, Wicklow Hall-1 (CCD)

Description: When do you use science in fantasy? Whether you are dealing with medical problems, outbreaks of disease, or aspects of technology, how can these be integrated with fantasy – and what makes it different from SF?

Panelists: Ginjer Buchanan (Penguin Random House), Joe Abercrombie, A. T. Greenblatt , Peter Adrian Behravesh (PodCastle), Jo Walton (M)

I’ve never had a Kaffeeklatsch before, so that should be fun. If you’re going to be in Dublin, feel free to come and say hello!

Where to Find Me at the Nebulas 2019

I’m at the Nebula Convention this weekend in Los Angeles! Here’s my schedule:

Writing on the Side – Thursday, May 16th at 5:00 pm

  • How to be a productive writer when your life is already time-starved, list-bound and career-committed.
  • Panelist: Caitlin Starling, K. A. Doore, A. T. Greenblatt, Mark Tompkins

The Why and How of Accessibility Guidelines – May 17th, 2:00 pm

  • People with disabilities used to be hidden away as a matter of course. Buildings were not built to be accommodating and that excluded people from participating fully in society. That began to change with Franklin Delano Roosevelt, but he had to travel with a portable ramp. It took another sixty years to pass the Americans with Disabilities Act. In the 21st century, people still fight for access. The goal of The Accessibility Checklist for SFWA Spaces is full accessibility to all participants, attendees, and guests of SFWA events such as the Nebula Conference. Our panelists give examples of the experiences that drove it, discuss the importance of its creation, and how it’s being used by SFWA and convention-runners all around the country. As we move forward, what should the future of accessibility look like?
  • Panelist: Lee Martindale, K. A. Doore, A. T. Greenblatt, Mark Tompkins

Mass Autographing – Saturday, May 18th, 1:30 pm

If you’re at the conference this weekend, please don’t hesistate to come and say hello!

“And Yet” Finalist for a Nebula Award

So this happened. My short story “And Yet“, which was originally published in Uncanny Magazine, is a finalist for the 2018 Nebula Award!

For those who aren’t familiar with the Nebula Awards, they are organized and voted on by the members of Science Fiction Writers of America (SFWA). It’s basically like the Golden Globes of science fiction and fantasy writing, with an awards ceremony and everything. Here’s the full list of nominees.

The winners will be announced on May 19th.

I’m so honored to have this story listed among such good writers and works. It’s been about a week since I found out and honestly, I’m still stunned.