165 Comments

I'm Brian, and I'm a software architect by trade, living in Southeast Michigan with my wife and two kids. While I'm the founder of the Lunar Awards, which keeps me busy enough, I'm also in love with the short story. I write fantasy and science fiction on Future Thief, my Substack, and I'm failing miserably at writing something longer, like a novella or novel. Although I did publish a short story collection this year, and that was a major accomplishment.

An interesting tidbit is that my degree is actually in journalism, and during the dotcom boom I realized had a knack for reverse engineering and ended up teaching myself to code. I'm one of the remaining few who survived the dotcom bust and who does not have a degree in computer science.

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To stay ahead in the

business of IT

requires no degree.

Just be five minutes ahead

of every other body.

👍😛🌟

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Hi! I'm Suzanna. I write Catholic fantasy and am getting ready to start publishing my Substack in October. I am a stay at home wife, living in South Carolina, and I heard about the Lunar Awards though one of the Substacks I subscribe to. I think S.E. Reid or Gibberish.

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Awesome, welcome Suzanna! You are definitely in the right place, and we're very welcoming to new writers on Substack. You'll find so much information that should help you on your journey. If you're not already, be sure to check out Fictionistas, but if you have questions in the meantime feel free to reach out and ask away.

https://fictionistas.substack.com

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I have already subscribed to Fictionistas! Thanks!

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Hooray! I’ve been searching for Catholic fiction writers here! 🙌

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I am also Catholic and I write fiction at Gibberish, but I don't (overtly) write Catholic Fiction! I can list a few others in the same space, welcome to the club!

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Nice to meet you!

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Mind if I ask what part of SC? I live in Beaufort.

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I live in Florence, SC!

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WHERE THE BUCCEES IS!

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YES! I've only been once but that place is ENORMOUS. It's like Walmart and Flying J's had a baby in a Cracker Barrel.

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LOL!

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Question seconded, as another south carolingian!

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Fellow Catholic SAHM/full time homemaker and fiction writer here! Nice to meet you! I think we’ve interacted in notes a few times :)

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I think we have!

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Hello, all!

I'm Michael, I live in southern Indiana across the river from Louisville, Kentucky; I work as a staff attorney checking conflicts for a local law firm. If I recall correctly I found the Lunar Awards through a mention on Substack Notes; it might have been Fictionistas, though. I write short stories and serials about angels, superheroes, and occasionally sci-fi, most often with a comic bent.

One interesting tidbit is that I have visited the future birthplace of Captain James T. Kirk in Riverside, Iowa, and as a souvenir I have a small vial of actual dirt from said birthplace. (I'm very proud).

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Welcome, Michael, we're happy to have you!

That's an awesome tidbit. I would proudly display the vial. It's wild how we have such a diverse group of writers here with various backgrounds. When I need official lawyerly advice, now I know who to talk to. 😉

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Oooh I’ve been there too!! Stopped there on the way back from Chicago to see the Klingon Christmas Carol (which was amazing!)

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Where in Indiana? My mom has family in the Seymour / Cruthersville area.

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I'm in New Albany, so just a bit further down the interstate. :)

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Hi all!

I'm Meaghan. I mostly write fantasy for young readers (mg and ya). I'm currently publishing my horror comedg Zombie Shark Highway serially on substack. I also draw...a lot. I've been following the Lubar Awards for a while now, I think i first learned about it through fictionistas!

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Happy to have you, Meaghan! You're one of those rare breeds who is an amazing writer AND artist! The first time I read the synopsis for Zombie Shark Highway, I thought, oh yes, this will be a wild ride. 🦈🦈🦈

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Haha thanks Brian! 🦈😱

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I seriously love the name Zombie Shark Highway.

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Hello! I'm Reina. I'm a middle school social studies teacher and write dark speculative fiction.

I'm actually a new mom. I've been adjusting to my new normal and finding how I can fit writing into my routine. My little girl often distracts me with her cuteness!

I found lunar awards through the amazing fiction community here on substack. I'm happy to officially meet everyone 😁

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Welcome, reinancruz, and congratulations on the little one! My wife and I have two children, but they are middle school and high school now, so not quite as much hand holding, but I definitely understand the challenges of trying to do things when they were younger. When you do post, we'll be here, ready to read. 😁

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Thank you so much!

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Reina! Just wanted to chime in a fellow post-partum-er (I’ve got a 2yo and a 4mo) and say hello!

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Congrats on your little ones! I hope you're hanging on there. Thanks for saying hi 👋

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Thanks girl, and likewise!!

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Wow! I can’t imagine how difficult and magical it must be as a new mom! Congratulations and way to go, Wonder Woman!

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Thank you!!

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Hello Fellow Writers! I'm Amy Letter, the Florida writer and artist who lives in Iowa now. I teach creative writing at Drake University, which includes teaching AI in Fiction and a Writing in a Networked World course -- I'm basically a huge science nerd who writes. I love teaching. I love writing. I love drawing. I love life. I love ideas. I love animals. And I love this pale blue dust-mite of a dot we all live on. I discovered the Lunar Awards by following a chain a writers around Substack, where I've been publishing Human in the Post-Human World for 3 years. I've been honored with a Lunar Award for "Amicus Memorandum," a story about bots being Very Loyal to Very Bad people, and one honorable mention for "A Sexbot Reads Chekhov's 'The Darling,'" and both of them absolutely made me squee like Mabel Pines in a 50 gallon drum of confetti sprinkles. :) I have also really enjoyed finding new stories through the Lunar Landscape. My favorite Lunatic is Em Eaulders: IYKYK

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"...both of them absolutely made me squee like Mabel Pines in a 50 gallon drum of confetti sprinkles." 🤣🤣🤣

I immediately got the Gravity Falls reference, and that's how I know that you're in the right place, Amy! We're so thankful you joined our merry band and won a Lunar Award. You qualify to submit again next season, and I can't wait to read more of your entries. Also, as a teacher of creative writing we expect you to dazzle us in the future with your knowledge of all things writerly.

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Great summary, Amy! And congrats!

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Another great idea Brian!

Hey everybody, I'm Stephen. I reside in the UK where I work from home as a graphic designer for a company based in Canada :D. I found the Lunar Awards through Fictionistas and the amazing writing community here on Substack in my efforts to connect with more of my fellow writers.

I've been serialising my YA novel, Underland and the Forehidden Kingdom, on Substack since 2021. Once in awhile I write articles. Once in a once in awhile I write short stories.

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Hey Stephen, I'm glad you could stop on by! I never realized you were in the U.K., and I'm happy to have representation across the world.

This is one of Stephen's once in a while short stories. 😁

https://underland.substack.com/p/the-eyewitnesses

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Hi Stephen. Do you know another Stephen, last name Oram? https://stephenoram.net/

He's in the UK. I'm working with him on a near-future anthology about AI in education now.

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Hey Randall, I don't no, but looks like he has a cool body of work!

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Hi all! 👋

My name is Justin. I live in the Hudson Valley and work as a middle school teacher. I found the Lunar Awards because I’ve been reading Brian Reindel’s fiction for over a year now. He’s one heck of a storyteller, not to mention an all-around class act.

I admit, I still haven’t submitted a story to the Lunar Awards ...but my plan is to write one for season four. And I’m sticking to those words, darn it! 😄

Thanks, Brian!

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Hey Justin! So happy to have you here. Now that you've said it, I'm holding you to those words. 😉 Isn't it crazy how long it's been already on Substack?

If you haven't already, be sure to check out Justin's work. He's also an amazing storyteller!

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Consider this my early submission! 😀

It really is wild. Time flies! Thanks for the kind words, my friend! Hope you have a great day.

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Hi Justin! I didn't realize you are a teacher. I'm working with a start-up with plans to build a platform for teachers. We're doing a lot of research and information gathering at this point. I'd love to pick your brain some time if you'd be open to that. Drop me an email at ben@benwakeman.com if you'd be willing to chat.

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Ben, I'm working with fellow Substacker Dave Gray on this

https://schoolofthepossible.substack.com/

and would be interested to hear more about what you're doing. agnosia.media@gmail.com

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Hi Randall - thanks! I'd be curious to learn more about what you and Dave are working on too. I'll shoot you an email.

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Connections, connections, connections... the lounge is a success!

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Ben, my husband James Dietz writes a stack called Classical Learning Digest and he might also be interested in chatting with you. I can’t tag him but you should be able to find him on Notes and get in touch.

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Thanks, Sara! I'll see if I can find him.

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Sure, Ben! I’ll drop you an email later tonight or tomorrow morning.

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Sounds good Justin - would love to connect.

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Justin, I think it's awesome that you teach middle school!! That's actually what I'm working towards right now!

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Hey hey, fellow teacher! That’s awesome, Claire! I had no idea that’s what you’re pursuing. Teaching is a rewarding and, I won’t lie, stressful profession. It’s a lot of hard work, but I think you will love it. I’ve been a special education teacher for eleven years. When you dive in and land your first job, remember two things: it’s okay to say no, and prepare for a marathon, not a sprint. 😀

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I'm so excited to be a teacher! I've got a long ways to go yet to get there, but I'm looking forward to it. Thanks for the good advice!

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I've tried teaching middle schoolers, during the summer, and I don't know how you do it. One middle schooler is like three high school students. You deserve a medal.

https://randallhayes.substack.com/p/alien-ecosystems-2022

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Haha! Thanks, Randall. Are you a high school teacher? Here, let me hand you a medal, too. I taught high schoolers for six years before switching it up a bit. Middle schoolers are a lot of fun and require a different type of energy/approach. I just drop dad jokes all day and it seems to help. 🤣

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Only during the summer at nerdy science camps. During the academic year I am at UNC Greensboro (where, come to think of it, I do have the occasional dual-enrolled high school student).

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Greetings, all!

I'm Redd and I write fantasy and sci-fi here on SubStack. I also paint portraiture and the occasion landscape when time allows. Most of my recent writing has been short stories but before SubStack I wrote 5 novels with the aim of trade publishing, but the industry is glacial and I grew tired of waiting for other people to say I could publish and build an audience. It may be slow going sometimes and I need to wear many hats to do it but growing an audience and community from scratch is well worth it. I have published short stories and novellas thus far and am looking to start publishing a space-opera novel/series in the near future.

I heard of Lunar Awards from Brian's fiction Stack, Future Thief, and knew I had to get involved from the outset.

I fell into fiction writing everday during my Masters degree (Philosophy) back in 2018. Sure I'd done NaNo a few times and enjoyed it but never thought about it beyond November. The seed grew to bursting and I suddenly felt the need to write. The Masters went well but I was repulsed by academia so option 2 for 'a career' was out. (Option 1 was graphic design and while I love drawing and painting I learnt during my A-levels I don't want to do it all the time). Between odd jobs I learned the trade of writing and am now looking to make it, not just a creative hobby but also, a good paying job.

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Wow, Redd, I didn't know that you paint portraiture! Also, you've got quite the background -- philosophy, art, writing, so much to lean on as an author. I understand trying to find the right fit for a career and life study. I absolutely fell into programming and had never even considered it, so you never know where you'll land. I'm just happy you landed at the Lunar Awards!

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I will get round to posting photos of them to Notes one day. Yes, I remember early on in learning to write watching lots of author panels of conventions and, I think it was, Rothfuss said that the best thing a writer could study at uni was anything but writing. Now I'd already done my first degree (Philosophy and Anthropology) by that point but I have found it to have proven true. A wide interest in history as also helped.

Falling into things seems more common than choosing things! Me too, thanks for founding the Lunar Awards.

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Hi, I'm Michael. I live in the Washington, DC area. Recently, I just graduated from Grad School and I'm hoping to move back to my home country of Indonesia by next year. But right now, I've been focusing on my writing career while hustling in the gig economy.

I started writing my novel, Inquisitor's Promise in the beginning of 2023, though I've had a lot of notes and even story bits in my hard drive long before. That was the first novel I've finished and it will always have a special place in my heart. Right now, that story has now been released as an ebook in Amazon Kindle (amongst others) and also a web novel serial in Substack.

Speaking of Substack, I've also written other things from fiction to nonfiction. To be honest, I don't remember how I ran across the Lunar Awards, but I'm glad I did. As for an interesting tidbit, I'm not afraid to entertain alternative cosmology. So one might find the setting of my stories to be a bit off-kilter.

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Welcome, Michael! We're going to go ahead and add Indonesia to our list of countries represented, even if you're not living there now. 😁

I'm impressed by how many writers here have completed their first novel. That's a HUGE accomplishment. I'm happy that you found us, and I look forward to more stories from you in the future!

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Haha. I'm happy to represent. I also aim to get more stories out there in the future, including novels.

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I live in South Carolina now, but I spent most of my life in the Northern Virginia/DC area.

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Whereabouts in VA? I was born in Fauquier county and grew up in Fairfax

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Ha, I was born in Fairfax, and alternated between there and Prince William County for most of my life. Before moving to SC, my family and I were living in Springfield. I also know Fauquier County fairly well.

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I live in the Maryland part of the DMV. But I used to work in Dulles Airport, so I'm familiar with parts of NoVA.

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Hi everyone! I'm Claire and I'm from Idaho. I'm currently in school to become a middle school math teacher.

When I'm not doing math I sometimes find time to write a variety of short stories and flash fiction across many genres. I found the Lunar Awards through Brian and Future Thief! I love the fiction community here and it's so fun to pop in and interact with everyone when time allows!

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Welcome, Claire! I had no idea you were still in school. Your writing is very creative and developed, and I enjoy any time you post a new short story. Also, I'm terrible at math, but I sure am glad somebody likes it enough to teach it!

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Thanks for the kind words, Brian, they are such a compliment!

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Hi I'm Houck, I am a programmer and parent of two young kids who keep me on my feet. I've come across Substack as a way to share my fantasy writing works and been loving it. It's a lot easier than other site builders and keeping track of my newsletter became a lot simpler. I found Lunar awards when it was featured on my list of recommendation and it is a great way to find some wonderful works and writers here on Substack.

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Welcome, Houck! A fellow programmer in our midst. There are a few of us lurking around here, making a go of this writing thing as well. 😁 Writing all of that code has made us yearn for something more.

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Sometimes those variable names might as well be a sentence.

Coding helps create great characters. If MC does this, would they do this? Else this?

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"If MC does this, would they do this? Else this?"

That's a fantastic observation. I had never considered that!

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Hi Lunarites! I’m Olivia from the Midwest. I write slightly twisted tales with the occasional happy ending (because variety is good, right?). I also dabble in fantasy, and though attempted several times, have not yet succeeded in sci-fi. Oh, and I’m working on a horror novella that’s still in process, but shows up every now and then on my substack.

I’m still working on my Lunar win, but I did get an honorable mention in Season Two! It’s the highlight of my writing career so far. 😊 I can’t say enough positive things about this competition - I look forward to it every time, and if you haven’t had the chance to participate, you absolutely should. Your writing will thank you!

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Midwest nice in the house! Do you call it a "doorwall" or a "sliding glass door"? Is it "pop" or "soda", a "fridge" or a "refrigerator"? Inquiring minds want to know.

Your honorable mention was so well deserved, and I'm excited to see more from you in the future, Olivia. We're happy you stopped by to introduce yourself. Dark fantasy is allowed for the Lunar Awards, so you might be able to manage a dark supernatural fantasy that scratches your horror itch.

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It's a sliding glass door, a soda (personal preference), a fridge, peanut butter and chocolate Reece's Cups are pronounced "Reesie Cups", and apparently I'm the only person EVER to use the word "sweeping" to describe cleaning something with a vacuum cleaner. Or a broom. Or both.

Ooh! That would be delightful! Perhaps I'll come up with something suitably spooky for the next season. I know it just ended, but I already can't wait for the next one!

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Haha “the occasional happy ending” I love that!

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Hello, everyone!

My name is Maya and I write dark fantasy and horror for adults. My focus is on documenting my journey to publish my debut novel Shades of Night, but I have a lot of little scribblings from other projects. I've written my whole life but this is the first time I managed to finish something! I found the Lunar Awards through Brian Reindel’s fiction---very happy I did! Maybe one day, I will submit something to the First Chapter category! My interesting tidbit is that I work as a film archivist and watch a lot of military film.

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Welcome, Maya! Wow, a film archivist. I have to ask, have you ever come across a piece of film that you knew was rare, or had previously gone missing?

We're open to dark fantasy, so definitely submit when you can. We've had a few entries so far, and it's been wonderful to read the variety. I'm so happy you found us, and can't wait to hear more from you in the future.

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Thank you for the warm welcome! To answer your question: yes! Our team leader was sent footage from an individual who inherited a series of WWII newsreel footage. On the day we watched it, news broke of the discovery of a wreck identified as the USS Ommaney Bay (CVE 79). It just so happens we were sent footage of the moment the ship sunk and watched it 24h before it’s discovery. It was such both a sobering and fascinating experience.

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😯😯😯 So fascinating! Thank you for sharing.

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Do you mean films shot by and for soldiers? Like for internal consumption?

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Both! The films we watch are digitised and placed online for public viewing. The target audience for the films' initial release vary. We see anything from 80s USMC recruitment films, 50s equipment tests, and combat/briefing footage from Vietnam.

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Hello! I'm Patty and I'm too creative for my own good and love writing and knitting. I'm in the UP of Michigan by the Canadian border. I have a morbid fascination with serial killers. Other non-creepy interests are jigsaw puzzles and playing with graphic design. I started writing one day because I was bored out of my skull and now have 4 published novels and a handful of novellas. Usually of the fantasy genre, but I dabble in sci-fi a little, too. I love a good escape from reality.

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Eh, dah UP, nice ta meetchya! I'm a lower peninsula guy myself, but have been up to Mackinac. Someday we'll go all the way up and we had some friends recently that came back from Isle Royale. All of that land up there is gorgeous. It's also the kind of place where people with morbid fascinations with serial killers hang out... I think.

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Well, there's a lot of trees and not much to do but obsess about morbid things. ;) Definitely make the trip, though, as we got some great sights to see. Taquamenon Falls and Pictured Rocks are musts!

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You had me at jigsaw puzzles!! What is your favorite puzzle that you've done? I did a 3000 piece one that was a picture of a puzzle and it was so fun!

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I have a couple Legend of Zelda that my hubby got me that I love. I also have a Funko Pop one that is a fun challenge. Right now, I can only do small ones as I'm in an apartment, and I don't have space for anything too large.

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Those sound fun, especially the Zelda ones! Yeah big puzzles take up so much space!! Every surface of kitchen was covered in pieces when I did my big one!

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I'm Randall, "your friendly neighborhood neuroscientist," though these days I teach biology labs during the academic year and sometimes neuro or other things for fun during the summer. I also have a small business where I design internships and do other educational consulting. I'm from Kentucky originally, but have been living in Greensboro, North Carolina, for about 15 years.

My writing is science articles and SF short stories, with an occasional cartoon or animated diagram thrown in. I have never had the patience for anything longer. I do still submit to magazines, frustrating though that process often is, and except for a couple of entries to the Lunar Awards, most of my fiction here is reprints (so far). The Lunar Awards popped up in Substack's auto-recommendations.

I'm also a huge game nerd, though not of the video variety, and I used to read a lot of superhero comics, though these days that monkey is fed by animation, and most comics I read are indie things.

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Welcome, Randall! I haven't been into collecting comics for a long time, but there was a time where I tried to write and create one. I managed to finish a B&W short story of 4 pages that was put into the Alterna Comics "It Came Out On A Wednesday" anthology. It even got me an official credit.

https://comicvine.gamespot.com/it-came-out-on-a-wednesday-15/4000-886109/

Alas, I enjoy the writing much more. Thanks for stopping by and bringing your friendly neuroscience into the lounge.

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Which one was yours? I went to the link and tried to find it but no luck. Some great pulpy titles there.

Seed of the Serpent: God, Guns and Giants

The Gods Will Not Leave You

Mr. Crypt [Untitled]

Icarus The Man-Bird in The Terror of Sub-Terra!

Restitution

Coincidentally, my wife was cleaning and just found a half-dozen typed WHO'S WHO style character profiles that a friend and I did back in the mid-80s. I thought we had stopped by the end of 8th grade, but no, these primitive drawings were stamped '85 and '86, so I was in drivers' ed. Pretty cringey to look at, now.

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Mine was Restitution. It's a sci-fi about an organized crime group on another planet that kidnaps the protagonist's daughter because he refuses to do a job for them. So, he seeks restitution by blowing them all away. It was lacking, but an exercise that made me realize how much work goes into drawing comic book panels.

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What sorts of games do you enjoy? Some of my favorites are Code Names, Exploding Kittens, Bye Felicia, Chameleon, Spyfall, and Ticket to Ride.

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Mostly tabletop RPGs, though it's hard to find a regular group as an adult. Fortunately there are game cons.

I tried a lot of different board / card games when my kid still lived at home. We played quite a bit of Love Letter for a while. Middle-Earth: the Wizards was a favorite, but a large time investment. The Stars Are Right, with the moving sky-tiles. Recently I've played through Terraforming Mars twice, and enjoyed it both times, though again, that's a full evening.

Do you have a dedicated group, or play at a shop, or what?

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I have a big family and we have game night pretty often! Oh!! Forgot to mention our recent favorite-- Secret Hitler! Haha it’s a crazy game that’ll have even your most timid friends yelling “no YOU’re the lying secret fascist!” in no time lol.

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Just what I'm always looking for . . .

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Hey everyone!

I'm Lisa Kuznak and I'm a stay-at-home-mom from northwestern Ontario, Canada. I write primarily SFF, sometimes with a literary bent—I enjoy experimenting with words and narratives. I also post poetry occasionally. On Substack I have a serial, Pull Me Under, a sword and sorcery inspired portal fantasy, and recently I published my first novel, Pallas, a scifi/horror with major old-school pulp vibes. I have another book being prepped for release, a literary fantasy, and I have a couple other novels in the works.

My reason for starting my Substack was to just share my writing instead of keeping it to myself, work on my short fiction skills, and meet other writers. I discovered the Lunar Awards through Notes.

Other than my writing and love of books, I've also delved into the textile arts rather heavily, knitting, sewing, etc, and I love history and film, too. If anyone needs fact checking for historical (European) clothes or textiles, I'd be happy to help out.

Pleasure to meet you all!

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Welcome, Lisa! I'm pretty sure there are a few knitters hanging around these parts. I never got into textiles, but I love clay sculpting and carving. I don't do as much as I used to, but there is something about creating a physical object with the hands that is so satisfying. Every Halloween I sculpt a miniature clay pumpkin, and this year I plan to show it on Notes. 🎃

Also, congratulations on your first novel. That's such an amazing accomplishment, and I hope one day to join the ranks.

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Thank you! And yeah, I've dabbled in spoon carving and clay sculpting, drawing, painting, etc... so many creative pursuits, so little time!

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Hello everyone!

I’m Heather, & I’m a fantasy novelist/short storyist (that’s a word, right? Lol). My family & I live in Missouri, where we enjoy the sunshine for lake days & our garden but still spend a lot of time cussing out the humidity. My husband is a meteorologist & we homeschool our two rowdy boys.

When I’m not writing, I’m either playing Minecraft, D&D, or some other board game.

Super excited to be hanging out here and meeting other fiction authors on Substack! This is my new favorite online hangout spot.

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Welcome, Heather! Do you ever hide the fact that your husband is a meteorologist? Like, oh man, if I tell people they will blame us for the weather forecast. 🤣 We won't do that at the Lunar Awards. I promise.

If you haven't already, check out the interview with Mike Shea. Or, maybe that's how you found us? https://www.lunarawards.com/p/dungeons-and-dragons-adventures-with

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Yup, that interview is how I first found you!

We have had a few folks joke, “oh, so you both lie for a living” when we tell them our careers. 😅 Most folks are pretty nice about it though.

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Ahaha, that's a great joke. 🤣

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Well, this was a nice surprise to see! For those not in the know, hello! The name's Jake Calta. I'm a filmmaker, composer, and writer, born and raised in New York State, and currently a free man out in the wild, cutting my teeth on any projects I can get my hands on. You'll know me here on Substack by my current project, "365 Infantry," a speculative fiction quarterly set in a wild post-nuclear cyberpunk dystopia starring a bunch of tough wolves and their magnificent motorized machines.

My fun fact is this: I'm 22 and I know more about arts and entertainment than most 20-somethings ought to be allowed. I can talk of classical music, comic books, films and television galore, games, pulps, the works. It's only through this unending fount of knowledge I can even write half of the most deranged things I come up with for my series and my other efforts.

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Welcome, Jake! I'm impressed by the breadth of your knowledge and experience, and I'm also happy to have some younger folks representing their generation. Much has been made of Substack being for an "older" audience, but there are quite a few younger readers. I'm happy you found the Lunar Awards and hope to see more from you in the future!

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