IN THE GREAT QUIET
editing, querying fall 2022
• Shortlisted for 2022 Retreat West Opening Lines Competition
• Long Longlisted for 2022 Cheshire Novel Prize
THE FOUR WINDS x UPROOTED
Oklahoma, 1893. High Noon. It’s still the wild west.
Minnie Hoopes flees her past, in search of her own land. In the hot, lawless terrain, Minnie is determined to establish her homestead and create a new life—alone. But, a Native woman from the past murmurs her story into the earth. While building her homestead, in mostly isolation, Minnie hears voices and wonders if she is losing her grip on her sanity or linking with ancestral memory.
IN THE GREAT QUIET is a feminist story about memory and perception, isolation versus community, ownership versus what can’t be owned, and one’s elemental, propulsive search for home. And of course, there’s a sexy cowboy.
Based on the true story of Laura's grandmother’s grandmother, IN THE GREAT QUIET is an upmarket adult historical fiction and fabulist story of 98,000 words. It is a genre busting blend of magical realism, folklore, mixed-media, and historical fiction.
Novel - Historical Fiction and Fabulism
THREE WORDS FOR WHAT WE'VE LOST
submitting
• Honorable Mention for the 91st Annual Writer's Digest Writing Competition, Literary category
Flash Fiction, 1,900 words - Fabulist, Literary
In modern day (2022) Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Bavaria a museum guide wonders about the medieval concept of doubles -- and if her own shadow is detaching from her body. "Three Words for What We've Lost" explores pandemic isolation & trauma and the many versions of self & identity.
Aesthetic - Link to Instagram Reel
THE HISTORY OF STARLIGHT
querying
GONE WITH THE WIND x ALADDIN
This is the story of the battle against oblivion. It begins with a girl, long ago.
Jerusalem, 978 BCE. A reckless princess and surly warrior-scribe must secure their nation's legacy in a world bursting with rebellions and betrayals.
Novel - Historical Fiction
TRIBAL ELEMENTS novellas
drafting
Drafting novellas for supporting characters in the world of THE HISTORY OF STARLIGHT.
Currently drafting Bina, Carmiya, and Ximen. There's sailing and secrets and journeys. Outlining Neriah and Benaiah's adventures, with Benaiah's story potentially a novel-length prequel.
Novellas - Historical Fiction
a WALKIE-TALKIE story
dreaming up
Short Story - Historical Fiction, Fabulist
Just dreaming up and putting the pieces together.
1950s. There are walkie-talkies. It's hot and dusty. And two people, very alone.
"regret (noun): a time traveler" on One Sentence Poems. link
"nostos" and "achillea millefolium" in Frost Meadow Review
More poems forthcoming in literary journals.
POETRY
published and submitting
BLUE BEYOND THE SEA
submitting
THE INVISIBLE LIFE OF ADDIE LARUE meets THE BARON IN THE TREES
Short Story, 8,500 words - Historical Fiction, Fabulist, Literary
Bavaria, 1109 CE. Edigna flees an arranged marriage, creating a home in the hollow of a linden tree. She creates a life, illuminating manuscripts for a nearby abbey. As she becomes notorious, a legendary story told round fires, she begins to lose her grip on the physical world. Like an influencer of today, she doesn’t like being only a story, she wants to be known too.
“Blue Beyond the Sea” explores the tension between body and spirit, reality and myth, and fate versus the power of calling. Of how we’re perceived or created into a story vs. the “real” self.
Aesthetic - Link to Instagram Reel