I've been trying for weeks—no, months—to think of something to say in this post, but I've come up empty every time. Sometimes things that only garner a passing feeling of interest in some people mean more than words to others, and this is one of those things. This is the first time that publication of a story wasn't truly up to me. It's the first time one of my stories has landed in an anthology with works written by other people. It's the first time I'll have "published published" a short story (meaning it's for sale). It's a lot of firsts. And so I haven't really got anything to say except thank you to everyone who's been involved.

Thank you to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for giving me the desire to write.

Thank you to my family, for putting up with your resident weirdo. (Especially my sister!)

Thank you to the Twitter writing community for helping me to not feel so alone on this writing adventure.

And thank you to the Phoenix Fiction Writers for selecting "The Timekeeper's Daughter" to rub elbows with so many other amazing stories in Timely.

​Ticking. It’s all that Annora Prevoir has heard since the day that the Author gave her the unwanted gift. No matter what she does, sleeping or waking, the passage of time echoes inside her head. Most suppose that her gift is particularly well-suited to her job as Royal Timekeeper, but it doesn’t tell her what to do about the drought lowering the river that powers the Clock’s water wheel. For centuries, the people of Epoque Pacifique have looked to the Clock to tell them how to regulate their day. But Annora can’t stop the shrinking river, or the ticking that haunts her every waking moment. The time has come to choose…

Choose to stay enslaved in the belly of a submarine because it is all you’ve known, or risk the open door to freedom.

Choose to carry out the mission you were created for, or go against your programming to protect someone you love.

Choose to be chained by the hurts of the past, or have the courage to start fresh with the people who matter to you.

Choose the easy way out because it was offered, or make the ultimate sacrifice to end a war.
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From clockwork toymakers, to robots, to submarines, and time travel, you will find yourself transported and entertained as these nine innovative stories examine how the past and future weigh on the present. Purchase Timely!