UnderDOGS Need Help

If you know me in real life or online, then you know that I adore animals. Usually more than people.

So it made a lot of sense for me to donate a story to More Futures for Ferals last year — a charity anthology that raised money for cat rescues. Editor Danielle Ackley-McPhail shared that we were able to raise, “just shy of $5000 for the Kickstarter, plus an additional $1400 post-campaign.” She added, “In fact, we just met an urgent need for kitten food for the local rescue using the current profits. They ended up with 21 kittens all at once!”

This is AWESOME.

Lately, the local dog rescues in Harford County, Baltimore County, Baltimore City and beyond have reached capacity due to many reasons including hoarding cases, dogfighting rings being broken up, and financial insecurity. We were eager to donate stories to a new set of books to raise money for rescues. Here’s the cover:

That looks like the jackal-headed god Anubis with a German Shepherd support dog flying a dirigible past the Great Pyramids of Egypt. I want to read that story!

NOT AWESOME: Currently the Kickstarter sits at roughly half of what the cat campaign did with just 42 hours left. CATS CANNOT BEAT DOGS THIS BADLY. We need to raise another $500 to get to the next achievement: unlocking a second book. There is enough material. I’ve submitted both a story and an essay. If we get a second book then I’ll be submitting a second essay about why in the world we fostered three dogs over five weeks and some of the hijinks that occurred.

My foster fail babies:

Happy Cabbage

Gabe

This promises to be another amazing collection… with hope, two! We have stories donated or promised by  Jonathan Maberry, Grace Bridges, John L. French, Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Jean Marie Ward, Ef Deal, Christopher J. Burke, Rigel Aliur, Sherri Cook Woosley, Lawrence M. Schoen, Brenda Cooper, Jennifer Povey, Eric Hardenbrook, Kris Katzen, Kevin Wetmore, Marie Vibbert, Charles Barouch, Taluna Wise, Carol Gyzander, Danny Birt, Bernie Mojzes, and Lisanne Norman, with more to come!

We just need to get that second volume funded!

In addition to reprint and original fiction, A Heart for Hounds will contain brief informational essays about aspects of dog rescue and the unique challenges those efforts face. All profits go to dog rescue! @Kickstarter #Kickstarter

Link to donate

Posted Sunday, May 24th. This Kickstarter ends in 44 hours. Please help!

Love,

Sherri

Autumn Stories!

Happy Sunday afternoon,

We took my older dog to the Farmers’ Market earlier and browsed for a shepherd’s pot pie, and Kalamata olives, and a make-your-own flower bouquet and such things. We also bought a pretzel and candied cashews because my dog loves to share those two items and this week we received some medical news about him that, while not unexpected for a 10+ year dog, is still sad. But we weren’t sad while we sat on the bench and ate snacks and people watched.

Then, in glamorous style, we moved all the furniture out of our bedroom to hunt dust bunnies via the vacuum-then-mop approach. Luckily, I had plans with my friend Lyn so that gave me an excuse to leave after the hunt was over but before we could expand the dust bunny search to other rooms in the house. While in Lyn’s sunroom, I had the chance to share about some of my recent stories. First, I’m thrilled to have another story placed with Air and Nothingness Press. The books are absolutely beautiful works of art and my story “Interview with a Time Traveler…Again” is in wonderful company with other talented authors playing with memory and how memory is corrupted on an individual or societal level.

Purchase link.

I’m also excited to be part of a fundraiser for cat rescues by donating my story “Strangely Familiar.” Here’s the “official” description from eSpec Books:

This charity anthology of speculative fiction stories and real-life accounts has been organized and contributed to by those with a heart for these hard-luck cases. All profits from sales will 100% be donated to cat rescue organizations dedicated to finding home for these kitties, where possible, or giving them the care that they can-medical or Trap, Neuter, and Release-before returning them back into the wild.

Can you help us, help them?

Featuring stories donated by Sherri Cook Woosley, Lisanne Norman, James W. Bates, Patrick Thomas, Rigel Ailur, Amber Davis, Will McDermott, Jacob Jones-Goldstein, Sharon Lee, Marc L. Abbott, Kris Katzen, Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Eric V. Hardenbrook, Charles Barouch, Brad Jurn, F.R. Michaels, Grace Bridges, Nancy Jane Moore, Christopher J. Burke, and Anton Kukal.

The continuation of A Future for Ferals! The Kindle version is available now and the print version will be available within days. Purchase link

My BIGGEST news of all? An anthology of 16 of my stories…with 8 illustrations! Many of the stories have been published in esteemed venues like Abyss & Apex, Dreamforge Magazine, and Flash Fiction Magazine. Others are brand new and this is their first release. I’m giddy to have one collection with so much of my work gathered.

What does the name mean? Well there’s a poem called “Goblin Market” by Christina Rossetti about two sisters who are tempted by goblins selling this forbidden fruit. The story is what happens when one sister becomes addicted to the enchantment and the other sister has to save her and the price she must pay. I read it in grad school and have never forgotten it so my first story involves the mythology of Goblin fruit and the metaphor extends through the rest of my stories.

This upcoming week is, of course, filled with commitments and dental visits and my teaching two evening exercise classes after teaching high school classes all day. But these stories are to be shared. Maybe around a campfire, maybe as a Yuletide gift, maybe just because. And when you share these stories, you will be sharing my whimsy and I hope it sparks your own.

I will have copies of these books, and more, at the Authors and Artists Sale at the Armory in Bel Air, MD on November 1st.

My last scheduled appearance this year will be Philcon in Philadelphia from November 21-23rd.

Love,
Sherri

Spring Time!

It’s been a tumultuous couple of months here in the US. The constant news headlines have made it hard to find a creative space to let my imagination wander, but I told a group of students last week that this is an important time to put our thoughts to paper, to wrestle with our characters, to emphasize through the conflict in our stories what we as humans believe is right and good and truthful. Because truth comes across in fiction — not a literal truth but a truth so deep that our souls recognize it.

I’m excited to have a new market: The Atlantic Journal. My story, “Sunday Reverie” was published and met a warm reception at the launch party.

The story begins: “When I was a child, we played hide’n’seek among the tombstones of the Southern Baptist graveyard. While our parents were inside studying the mysteries of religion, we were feral children running our hands along the rough tops of the markers and along the smooth fronts, our fingers picking out lines that formed letters and noting numbers that had no meaning, no heaviness.”

From the Launch Party at Bird in Hand, Baltimore

I was also glad to partner with my friend Jen Chandler, an educator in Harford County, who put together a Future Focus Day at a local high school. I was one of the speakers and I had an opportunity to speak to two sessions of youth who’d signed up to learn about what it means to pursue a career in writing. We talked about AI and how marketing is changing, whether readers can separate art from artist, and how to get started. Some asked specific questions about their own work and others wanted to know whether they had to live more, experience more, before they could tell a story. (Spoiler: No)

The only thing that we didn’t touch on that I’m currently obsessed with is Severance. My family (well, my oldest has watched the entire thing. She’s the one who recommended the show) is watching it together and it is really mind-bending.

I have a couple of appearances coming up. I’ll share them here because cons and festivals are always nicer when you know someone. And, if you see me, I will talk about more than Severance. Probably.

Shore Leave 2025 July 11-13th Lancaster, PA Wyndham Resort and Convention Center

Book Fair at Bel Air August 23rd Bel Air, MD Bel Air Armory (37 N. Main Street)

*I’ll be sharing a table with author Tim Baldwin

Bel Air Festival for the Arts September 14th, 2025 Bel Air, MD Shamrock Park (39 Hickory Avenue)

*I’ll be sharing a table with author Xenatine

That’s all I’ve got for now. Feel free to reach out if you’d like me to be a guest speaker for your group or activity.

Love,

Sherri

Happy New Year!

Like most people, I experienced 2024 as a roller coaster. When I was little there was an animated show that would air right before we started chanting with the crowd in Times Square as the ball dropped. I don’t remember much except the last image. The old worn-out man in a robe, hunched over with a white beard to his knees passing a torch? a balloon? something symbolic to a chubby, happy baby in a diaper marked with the new year.

The point to this image (that I apparently don’t remember as well as I thought I did) is that January 1st we get to start over. I’ve heard that our New Year should be in spring because people aren’t motivated to do anything in the dark and cold of January. We are supposed to be hibernating and reading books and eating yummy soups. Okay. But what if it is less about immediately DOING and more about BEING.

Here is one of my favorite quotes to read at the end of a yoga class:

For a seed to achieve its greatest expression

it must come completely undone.

The shell cracks, its insides come out

and everything changes.

To someone who doesn’t understand growth,

it would look like complete destruction.

by Cynthia Occelli

So I won’t bore you with details about how our “Grandfather 2024” got the last laugh requiring two cars to being taken to the mechanic and an emergency water heater replacement in the last week. Or how my father had to be taken to the ER (he is stable and making dad jokes in the group text chat so appears to be on the mend).

Instead, I’m going to focus on the positive. I made a scrapbook of my oldest daughter. I imagine some of you raising your eyebrows because you were expecting something spectacular. It IS spectacular for me.

We have a tradition where we take a photo of each child AROUND their birthday (clears throat in a non-guilty way) in a specific outfit or with a certain piece of sports equipment or in a specific pose. I have four children so it’s a little different, but you know what I mean. I drag my feet about making scrapbooks for the same reason I drag my feet on writing. My perfectionism makes me procrastinate and procrastination builds the tension. It sucks the joy out and leaves guilt. There is no external deadline and so the nostalgic time to enjoy looking through years of my daughter wearing my wedding dress as she grows turns into a stressful to-do that creates anxiety. After having this on my list for THREE YEARS I finished it in time to order before Christmas and surprised her with the book.

Another positive moment occurred at the end of 2024 as well.

Thank you to everyone who purchased a copy of Postcards from a City of Monsters. If you forgot or need more copies, here is a link: Purchase. The award really boosted my confidence because the book hasn’t received a lot of reviews.

That was Grandfather 2024. What news from Baby 2025?

I have a new story out! The fantasy and science fiction magazine Abyss & Apex purchased “Where the Kelpies Swim” and its here, available to read for free. I am so excited and proud to be in their pages for a third time. This magazine was my FIRST professional sale back in…2012. Wow. Back when I was a baby writer. I love that the editors embrace mixing genre elements and the freedom of speculative fiction as long as it serves the story. I also love the way the editors take spend so much time and attention on each story.

I wish everyone a Happy 2025! May this year bring success, growth, and kindness to all.

Love,

Sherri

Cozy Monster Stories

This is my absolute favorite time of the year. I may be “basic” according to my students, but I love the changing leaves, I love the crisp mornings, I love pumpkin spice lattes, corn mazes, Homecoming football games and dances, firepits. The only thing I don’t love is how fast the season goes. 

I had a fantastic time at FrightReads Festival.

I was able to connect with Liz from Caprichos Books and share a table with author Tim Baldwin. Richard Chizmar was there with his latest Stephen King collaboration and the Ghostbusters were walking around keeping people safe from Slimer and I got a chance to speak with author John French who wrote for the same collection as my “Mother’s Instinct.”

I have two more live events to offer my newest Cozy Monster books (“Mother’s Instinct” and “Postcards from a City of Monsters”) :
           Authors and Artists Holiday Sale at the Armory in Bel Air on November 2nd. It opens to the public at 10AM and goes to 3PM.
           Books and Brews on November 17th from 12-4 at 203 Market St. in Havre de Grace. 

If you don’t feel like attending a live event, the books are available wherever books are sold. Caprichos Books (which used to be behind the Armory) is now in Ocean City, but Liz will ship them to you.
Barnes & Noble (in Bel Air) doesn’t currently stock copies of my books, but they can order them. (If they receive enough orders then they will stock them). Finally, I haven’t gone through the process to donate copies to Harford County Public Library (or your local library), but if people ask then they will buy them. Librarians rock that way.

Note: I’m happy to meet up to sign any of my books for a personalized gift for the holidays. 
Note 2: Thank you to everyone who purchased either of these books. If you’ve ordered a book I am SO APPRECIATIVE. But I need reviews to boost my credibility before the shopping season commences. Please write a one-sentence honest review and post it. It means a lot to myself and the small publishers who are publishing beautiful books.

Have a wonderfully fantastic Autumn and I hope to see you at one of the next two book events!

Love,

Sherri

Another NEW RELEASE

August has been very exciting because I had TWO books release and they were both about cryptids, a monster from folklore.

Postcards from a City of Monsters is intended for children and their families or friends and is fully illustrated and was released by Improbable Press. Available here.

Mother’s Instinct is a different beast (I’m sorry). eSpec Books produces the books for Cryptid Crate, a quarterly subscription series that includes a t-shirt, a Challenge Coin, a stackable figure, and my book.

I had the pleasure of writing about a Dobhar Chu. Not sure what that is? I wasn’t either. Even though my Master’s Capstone was about Irish mythology, I had not heard of this “otter-alligator” that lives in both fresh and saltwater, is protective of their young, and will attack humans without fear. Once I had the setting: a mysterious island off the west coast of Ireland, and the characters: a mother researching for her dissertation and a young daughter with a special connection to animals, the plot began coming together.

I talk more about it in my interview with Paul Semel here

The book is available wherever books are sold, including from eSpec books here.

If you are local, I’m happy to sign your book. Also, I’ll be at the Bel Air Festival for the Arts on Sunday, September 15th in Shamrock Park and will have copies for sale. Thank you for the support!

Love,

Sherri

NEW RELEASE: Postcards from a City of Monsters

It’s finally here!!!! My first children’s book — reading age 7-12 years.

From the publisher’s site:

A finely-told, full-color illustrated book about childhood cancer

WOULD YOU LIKE TO FLY WITH A GARGOYLE?

Toby didn’t ask to move halfway around the world to the Czech Republic with his mom and step-mom. He certainly didn’t ask to get sick.

But now, at the start of fifth grade, Toby finds himself being treated for cancer in a hospital far from his friends and familiar surroundings. He starts feeling trapped until a strange creature offers him an escape.

A feline-shaped gargoyle has come to life! All Toby has to do is step through the window.

Follow Toby on his night of adventure as he flies over enchanting Prague with his gargoyle guide, and learns he’s not alone at all.

Written by author Sherri Cook Woosley, and illustrated by artist Elena Moroz, Postcards from a City of Monsters is part of Improbable Press’ “Postcards” series, an imaginative fantasy set talking about issues important to kids, and which includes Postcards from a Lake Monster, a book about autism.

Book publishes – and sale ends – August 29, 2024

There’s a sale right now — 20% off on pre-orders until AUGUST 29th. ORDER HERE.

Let me know if you order a copy so I can personally thank you. I appreciate all the support for this topic which is very close to my heart.

Love,

Sherri

Summer 2024

Hey! I hope you are enjoying the pool, eating ice cream from a local dairy, and reading some intriguing books. I recently read The Pilgrim (thriller) by Terry Hayes and I’m about halfway through Godkiller (fantasy) by Hannah Kaner. I post my progress on both Goodreads and Storygraph like I’m a hunter and the books are my prey.

Mid-July and I’ve recovered enough optimism to start planning again! I’m excited to share that Mother’s Instinct will be released August 21st by e-Spec books and Postcards from a City of Monsters will be released August 29th by Improbable Press. Mother’s Instinct was fun to write because it was a What If? novel. Many people know that my Master’s Capstone centered on the role of women in medieval Irish and Welsh mythology. Okay, so what if I’d stayed in academia? What if I got to pursue sightings of an actual creature still haunting a remote Irish island? What if I took my daughter with me and she developed a connection with this deadly cryptid?

Postcards has been a long time coming. If you’ve followed me then you know I first started posting over two years ago. The publisher nominated this story for a Pushcart prize (yaayyyy!!) back when it was included in the anthology Dark Cheer: Cryptids Emerging and it represents an important part of my life….when my daughter’s cancer treatment affected everything. So this story draws on both my experience of living in Prague (I went there to be an English teacher when I was 19 years old) and being a mother of a child with cancer. But the story is about a boy who wants to escape the hospital and the gargoyle who helps him. The illustrations by Elena Moroz are fabulous. Simply breathtaking in the way she captured what was in my imagination.

Each publisher chose the date so it is a coincidence that they are releasing only a week apart. For Postcards, the publisher is timing the release to coincide with Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month. This is also right as I’m starting a new school year… so I’m trying to promote the books now. What does that mean? Well, pre-orders are WONDERFUL THINGS. Preorder Here If you purchase a copy of Mother’s Instinct NOW then it pushes my book higher on the release day so that more people see it. If more people see it, then more may buy it. If more people buy it then my publisher is happy. If my publisher is happy then they may invite me to write another project for them. Then, and only then, do I get to be happy.

I’ll post again when Improbable Press has their preorder page up — should be at the end of July.

In the meantime, I’ve also put together my schedule of appearances for the rest of 2024:

Fri. July 26th/Sun. July 28th Shore Leave 44 Lancaster, PA

Sat. September 15th Bel Air Festival of the Arts Bel Air, MD

Sat/Sun September 28-29 FrightReads Millersville, MD

Sat., November 2nd Authors & Artists Bel Air, MD

Sun. November 17th Books and Brews Market Street Brewery Havre de Grace, MD

Nov 21-24 National Council of Teachers of English Boston, MA

Finally, I sold another story to Abyss & Apex and that story about kelpies will be coming out online on January 1st, 2025.

For fun: a throwback to the summer that I taught Goat Yoga.

Love,

Sherri

Summer Appearances

I had an opportunity to travel to Europe with my family this summer for three weeks and we went to Switzerland, France, Germany, and Italy with our niece, Izzy. The trip was full of many adventures and memories, but we are now back to reality — newly inspired for short stories and novels.

This was a fun moment where we stopped in the middle of the Swiss Alps for expresso and chocolate during the return from Milan.

Now I’m on my way to Shore Leave 43 as an author guest and I’m looking forward to speaking on panels and seeing author friends!

On Saturday, August 26th I’ll be selling books at FaunFest in White Hall, MD.

And, on Saturday, September 30-Sunday, October 1st, I’ll be returning to sell books at FrightReads Book Festival in Millersville, MD.

If you’re local, please come out to support authors and artists!

Love,

Sherri

Upcoming Appearances

I haven’t had a chance to post since I attended Shore Leave 2022 as an author guest. It was a really fun con and I enjoyed talking to so many other writers that I haven’t seen in so long.

I have some upcoming appearances:

Wednesday, September 21st I’ll be reading at CHARM CITY SPEC in Baltimore. The reading series is hosted by The Ivy Bookshop (5928 Falls Rd. Baltimore MD 21209) and begins at 6pm. We’ll be outside on the patio taking advantage of the beautiful weather.

Saturday, October 1st I’ll be selling books at FRIGHTREADS BOOK FESTIVAL. The festival is at 1031 Benfield Blvd., Millersville, MD 21108 from 12-6 pm. I’ll have copies of the new novel, ASHES OF REGRET and the anthology Orpheus + Eurydice Unbound. My story is the first in this collection from Air and Nothingness Press. These books are only available from the publisher, but I have copies.

Saturday, November 5th I’ll have a table at the Authors and Artists Holiday Sale at The Armory in Bel Air from 9-2.

Finally, I’ve accepted the invitation to return to Farpoint 2023 as an author guest from February 10-February 12th in Hunt Valley, MD.

More dates will be added, but I hope to see you at one of these events!

Love,

Sherri