Author: Michael Merriam

Founded in 2004, The Minnesota Speculative Fiction Writers (MinnSpec) is a 350+ member strong organization of working writers. Our membership includes writers who have published multiple novels with major publishing houses, editors of highly respected magazines, emerging writers with several professional and small press sales, and brand new writers making their first nervous forays into… Continue reading About The Minnesota Speculative Fiction Writers

Eli Effinger-Weintraub is a whirlwind of energy. Since joining MinnSpec, she has thrown herself wholeheartedly into being an assistant organizer and general minion-at-large. One of her primary minion duties was to also copyedit this anthology. I highly recommend her services, but be prepared to be amused by line comments. I ended the anthology with “The… Continue reading Sky-Tinted Waters ToC #20 – The Weed on the Floss by Eli Effinger-Weintraub

Arkady Bloom, Agent of Her Majesty’s Secret Service, Supernatural Division, becomes embroiled with a deadly Italian spy, Turkish airship pirates, rebels bent on freeing India from British rule, a cursed artifact, and a statuesque sorceress with a steam-powered dragonet. However, the greatest danger Bloom faces may be his own torn loyalties. Excerpt: “Do you have… Continue reading The Curious Case of the Jeweled Alicorn

I’ve known Hilary for a long-time now. She’s one of the greatest cheerleaders for new SFFH writers in Minnesota, a dynamo of energy, and a relentless promoter of MinnSpec. She’s is also a fine writer. “The Grand Cheat” is a fantastic story of using your wits to affect change in life, even when the Gods… Continue reading Sky-Tinted Waters ToC #19 – The Grand Cheat by Hilary Moon Murphy

For someone who is so very funny, Terry Faust is also a serious thinker about story and story-construction, which stands to reason since comedy is serious business. Terry has been one of the most solid members of MinnSpec, helping out with various volunteer organizational duties with a will and good humor. I loved this story… Continue reading Sky-Tinted Waters ToC #18 – Unpleasantness at 20,000 Feet by Terry Faust

A longtime and highly active member of MinnSpec, Abra is one half of the team that records our meetings for podcast. A terrific writer, gifted with a great reading voice, and a brilliant conversationalist, Abra is the real deal and I look forward to her hitting the big-time any minute. “These Things Take Time” is… Continue reading Sky-Tinted Waters ToC #17 – These Things Take Time by Abra Staffin-Wiebe

A. Christopher Drown is another of our long-distance members. While he’s never come a meeting that I know of (though he swears he will drop in the next time he is in Minnesota) he has been a part of the group for a long time. I liked this piece because it was both serious throwback… Continue reading Sky-Tinted Waters ToC #16 – The Milkshake Story by A. Christopher Drown

My first really clear memory of Leanna is from the MinnSpec Publication Potluck Party this past year. I mean, I’m sure we’ve spoken before. I know she’s been to other MinnSpec functions and she takes part in the message board, but memory being the foggy thing it is… Anyway, she read from her work at… Continue reading Sky-Tinted Waters ToC #15 – A Veiled Affair by Leanna Timanus

Gaea Dill-D’Ascoli is a force of nature. No, seriously, sit down and talk with her sometime. She’s energetic, funny, and driven to find adventure. She’s also caring and determined to make a difference in the world. Well, talk with her whenever she comes back to the states. Or go find her oversees, if you’re adventurous… Continue reading Sky-Tinted Waters ToC #14 – Off the Shelf by Gaea Dill-D’Ascoli

Sky-Tinted Waters ToC #13 – At the Roots of the World Tree by Catherine Lundoff I’ve been friends with Catherine for some time now, starting with seeing each other at conventions and eventually doing readings together, and finally getting together for friendly chat. She’s smart about the business and willing to help promote writers who… Continue reading Sky-Tinted Waters ToC #13 – At the Roots of the World Tree by Catherine Lundoff