I have been writing Science Fiction for over forty-five years, first publishing in 1984. There was a "little" gap for grad school, career and family, say, about thirty years? I came back, first writing novels, one good enough to publish (if you are an agent or publisher, contact me!) Because there were several Robert Morrell's around back then, I went with Robert Morrell, Jr. on my first publication. After that, being a database nerd who'd struggled with name normalization, I stuck with it when I began writing again. Someone in ISFDB appreciates me. I wasn't quite so careful in my academic publications, so no one at PubMed will ever take me out to lunch.
News
(April 2026) Story out, back to one of the others half written. Writing is slowed by Spring! So much to do!
(March 2026) Well, I thought I was done with the story, but my critique group did not agree. Revamped, now being reviewed by my beta readers. Criticism can be hard to hear, but it is always helpful.
(February 2026) Oops, I wrote a poem! First one I have written in decades, and the first science fiction poem for me. "Base 37," the autobiography of one of my brother's BASE jumping friends, came out! I am excited, not just because I helped edit the manuscript, but because it has a lot about my brother in it. New short story finally finished, well, except for the editing and critique group. Still, I had been stalled since October, so it is good to finally see an ending. I really do not like editing.
(January 2026) My co-host episode of "Hugos There" episode about Zelazny's hidden gem, "Doorways in the Sand" is out. Seth Heasley is an incredible sound editor, he managed to get all my coughing out! Nothing to do about how tired I sound, still, it was fun talking about a fun book.
(December 2025) Chuck's Gun is out in Trollbreath Magazine. I'm excited, never published in an ezine before. I feel so modern! The editor called it "a hell of a fun science fiction peice." I certainly had more fun writing it than anything else I have written, and I got paid!
(November 2025) Began four different stories. Hopefully one of them will suggest an ending!
(October 2025) While stalled with two other longer stories, a flash piece popped out! Strange format, but we'll see.
(September 2025) Picking up a story I started over forty years ago, put a new spin on it and it took off right away. This is why I write, to see ideas form on their own.
Reading "Days of Shattered Faith" by Adrian Tchaikovsky, incredible prose. How can he write so many books so fast so well?! Finished "Nine Goblins" by Kingfisher. It reminds me of the late great Sir Terry Pratchett's work. Finished "Upended" by P. A Kramer. Detailed hard science fiction! Still trying desperately to catch up on SF magazines!
Cat news: All four cats have adjusted in their own way to the visiting grand-dog. The dog, once assured Dusty was not a squirrel, tolerates them well.
Follow me on Bluesky (preferred) or Mastodon, or contact me by email
Science Fiction Bibliography (including pending)
Podcast Guest host: Hugos There January 2026. A fun talk about a fun and forgotten book, "Doorways in the Sand" by Roger Zelazny.
Chuck's Gun (short story) Trollbreath Magazine, Winter 2025 issue "Aliens, financial shenanigans, and a connection to our modern gun culture... it's a wonderfully eclectic mix of ideas that shouldn't work but does." (These are the editors' words!)
Your Entry to Paradise™ Memorial Experience (flash fiction) Analog Science Fiction and Fact (July/August 2025). I'd go to a funeral like this, even my own!
A Family Matter (novelette) Asimov's Science Fiction July/August 2024 I knew that DNA genealogy kit was a mistake… Here is an interview about the story for Asimov's blog. I will always cherish this one because it is the only fiction I have ever written that was accepted by the first magazine I sent it to! Thank you Shelia. Get well soon!
Podcast Guest host: Hugos There December 2023. A sometimes funny, sometimes gross look at how the COVID pandemic might affect the pandemic subgenre of Science Fiction, with Hugo Award nominee Seth Heasley. This was part of his Hugo nominee packet, which is probably as close as I will ever get to being a Hugo nominee. (Prove me wrong!)
(Here be the embarrassing resume gap. See Academic publications)
The Scarecrow Files (short story) Space and Time, Winter 1987. You can do a lot with shared memory.
Alone in the Forest (novelette) Fantasy Book, December 1984. The world's only known telepathic human tries to help a visiting alien calm down.
The Best Medicine (Short Story) Amazing Stories, July 1984. A comical look at human psychophysiology.
Palaces of the Mighty (novelette) Amazing Stories, March 1984. (Story used for the cover illustration!) An interstellar wildlife documentary show comes to a canyon world to capture the galaxy's largest known flying carnivore. What could go wrong?
Poetry: Down the Long Slope (poem) Pulpsmith, Summer 1985, A New York literary magazine. A shaped poem about skiing and life.
Miscellaneous publications: "What's the Worst Move, a chess comedy column for "The North Carolina Gambit", the publication of the North Carolina Chess Association. "Test Your Chess Aggressiveness" was re-published in the United States Chess Federation magazine, "Chess Life" in 2005.
Also miscellaneous freelance articles in "Triad Style Magazine" including the classic: "Triad Deathstyles."