Growing Up Different

My mother and me – circa 1972

Today’s publication announcement isn’t my usual crime fiction-related post. I wrote an essay about growing up biracial in conservative Orange County, California in the 70s and 80s. The Hapa Mag accepted it and it’s in Issue 10 which is out today!

It’s my first attempt at writing about how ashamed I was of my Chinese background. I wish I could go back in time and change how I thought of my dad and our heritage but I can’t. I wish I could have embraced my Chinese culture but I didn’t.

But I’m grateful that I am finally able to celebrate it. I want to learn about my Chinese roots as much as I can, while I can. My dad and I have become much closer over the years and I’m extremely blessed that our relationship has strengthened and grown.

In Taiwan circa mid-70s

Left Coast Crime Announcements

I’m on a panel! It’s called The Novella and the Short of It: Talking Short Stories and Novellas. I think it’s a safe bet that I’ll be talking about Cleaning Up Finn. And probably the short stories that I have coming out this year.

Here’s the info!

Thursday, March 12, 2020 (3:30pm – 4:45pm)

Room: Sierra 5-6

The Novella and the Short of It: Talking short stories and novellas
Judy Penz Sheluk (M)
Sarah M. Chen
RK Olson
Renee Asher Pickup
James Lincoln Warren

And I’m also part of an Author / Reader Connection. It’s a great way to get to know other writers and readers at LCC. I’ll be co-hosting again this year with Travis Richardson and Stephen Buehler. We’ll be discussing writer groups and short stories. And everyone who hangs out with us gets a free book and a free drink. And hopefully some good advice from us!

I’ll have more LCC announcements as we lead up to the conference which is at the San Diego Marriott in Mission Valley. Can’t believe it’s in a little over a month. My first conference in two years so I’m excited!

The Faking of the President Review from Publishers Weekly

The upcoming anthology I’m in just received its first review and it’s a good one from Publishers Weekly! Woot!

Check it out here: Publishers Weekly review

For more information about the book, here’s Three Rooms Press editor and publisher, Peter Carlaftes, talking about the inspiration behind The Faking of the President and the process of putting this White House noir collection together: Inspiring Change Through Noir Fiction

I’m so excited to be a part of this unique collection! It includes my dystopian story “In Mother We Trust” set in the not-too-distant future of the 2024 election.

Preorder now!

THE FAKING OF THE PRESIDENT: Nineteen Stories of White House Noir pulls back the curtain on the “new norm” for America’s highest office, with a collection of bizarre new stories by a diverse group of renowned authors that take readers across the chasm of reality into an alternate universe—where Nixon takes a wacky psychedelic trip with Elvis Presley; where a time-traveling renegade targets members of the George Bush administration with disastrous results; where a spy seizes a sudden opportunity for power after Woodrow Wilson’s stroke. The stories are outlandish—but when it comes to the White House of today—strange behavior and kinky, zany antics are no longer implausible.

Spinning new tales of White House noir, these yarns confirm that absolute power—minus checks and balances—absolutely corrupts. THE FAKING OF THE PRESIDENT acknowledges the wacko state of politics today, and openly wonders how far down the rabbit hole the American presidency can go.

The line-up of award-winning authors includes Eric BeetnerPeter CarlaftesChristopher ChambersSarah M. ChenAngel Luis ColonS. A. CosbyNikki DolsonMary Anna EvansKate FloraAdam Lance GarciaDanny GardnerAlison GaylinGreg HerrenGary PhillipsTravis RichardsonS. J. RozanAlex SeguraAbby Vandiver, and Erica Wright.