I am a Grand Master of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Poetry Association, and winner of the AnLab Readers’ Award, Dwarf Stars Award, Elgin Award, Rhysling Award, and Utopia Award. My work has appeared in Analog, Asimov’s, F&SF, Science, Strange Horizons, and Uncanny Magazine.
Winner of the 2021 Elgin Award, The Sign of the Dragon is an epic fantasy told in poetry. Of all the things I’ve written, it’s the one that matters most to me. It began with a single poem about a boy chosen by a dragon to be king. I meant the poem to be a standalone piece, but the boy stayed with me, and I returned and wrote more, and more, and more poems about him. Over three hundred poems in the end.
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Note: Signed print copies may be bought from Phantom of the Attic in Pittsburgh (411 S Craig St 2nd floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15213).
Jean-Paul L. Garnier interviewed me for Ionisphere #50. The issue contains interviews with myself and eight other SFPA Grand Masters: Ruth Berman, F. J. Bergmann, Akua Lezli Hope, Linda D. Addison, Ann K. Schwader, David C. Kopaska-Merkel (much missed), Marge Simon, and Robert Frazier.
Sally Wiener Grotta interviewed me for her “What If? Why Not? How?” series. Our chat focuses on The Sign of the Dragon.
Adam Dalton-West interviewed myself, F. J. Bergmann, Beth Cato, Linda D.
Addison and David C. Kopaska-Merkel about speculative poetry. This article first appeared on the SFPA blog in May 2026.
A Time-traveller’s Guide to Speculative Poetry: Part Four, Contemporary
A review by Tar Vol of The Sign of the Dragon, December 2025
“It’s thrilling, poignant, funny, uplifting, heartrending. It’s simultaneously poetic and easy to read, both wide in scope and eminently approachable. The Sign of the Dragon is a truly breathtaking epic, and one I highly recommend.”
A review by Sia of The Sign of the Dragon at Every Book a Doorway, August 2025
“The Sign of the Dragon is not like any book you’ve ever read before, for a few reasons…. Xau might not be a once-in-a-generation warrior – but his story is a once-in-a-generation book.”
Belatedly realized that Ionisphere #50 was published this summer. The issue contains interviews with myself and eight other SFPA Grand Masters 🙂
Sunday, 25 October 2026
I’m delighted to report that my poem “Corn Snake #34” is in the Fall 2026 issue of Good River Review, my first appearance there 🙂
Friday, 23 October 2026
I’m delighted to report an acceptance from Eye to the Telescope for the Faeries issue edited by Silvatiicus Riddle 🙂
Thursday, 22 October 2026
I’m delighted to report a poetry acceptance from 4LPH4NUM3R1C, my second from them 🙂
Wednesday, 21 October 2026
I am honored and delighted that my poem “What Black Holes Read” (first published in Star*Line) came third in this year’s Dwarf Stars Awards, and also that my poem “Reaper” (first published in Strange Horizons) received an Honorable Mention in this year’s Rhysling Awards 🙂 🙂 🙂
Sunday, 18 October 2026
