Happy to announce that my short story, The Storm Stone, is among the finalists for the Baen Fantasy Adventure Short Story Award. If I win, Baen will publish it; if I don’t win, I’ll still try and find a place for it.
Teaser: The Storm Stone is a story about magic that features a very scientific celestial object.
Mr. Harkness!
I’m Liz Elliott (former Palmer student, graduated circa 2001, heavy-set goth-esque girl). Do you remember me at all?
On a whim I decided to search for old friends and a few select teachers this evening, and I am SO happy to have found you. Congratulations on the writing career! You were an exceptional teacher, and I have little doubt that your writing is fantastic too.
In case you were curious, I got over the general weirdness of high school, and went on to live an adventurous and blessed life. I am married to my best friend (been together 18 years now), well traveled, reasonably educated, and more than reasonably happy.
Teachers like you are what made my formative years more bearable, and I have very fond memories of your thought provoking comparative civilizations class, as well as your English classes, where discussion was engrossing and our ideas were truly heard.
Much love to you, one of my greatest teachers.
Liz
I do remember (the goth part helped). I’m glad things went well for you; I always thought you deserved an “adventurous and blessed life.” Thank you for the kind words about my teaching. Those years were lucky ones for me, to have such students. Love back at you, keep being adventurous.