Welcome back to The Burning Hearth! I hope wherever you are the snow is melting and the brilliance of spring is upon you. This month’s post is going to be quite short as I’m in the process of redesigning my website. Beginning next month, The Burning Hearth is moving in an otherworldly, speculative literature direction. I will be kicking things off by interviewing Joy Baglio. She is a writer, an editor, and the founder/director of Pioneer Valley Writer’s Workshop. If you are not acquainted with Joy, I look forward to introducing the two of you.
Why, you might ask, am I making this shift? I have always been drawn to speculative fiction and over the course of the last year have come to realize this is where my most authentic voice lives. Maybe, it’s because I grew up in a house that was haunted. Or perhaps it is because I’ve had several out-of-body experiences. And yet, it might be as simple as I feel like I have lived my life in liminal space, existing not quite here and not quite there (There, being where we come from and where we return to). I often feel like I am a person of both realms. I’m certain my deep affection for all things Star Trek from the age of five on has also played a large role in it all.
I’m currently working on a novel that has been evolving over the past thirty years, and I’m in the process of beginning a collection of short stories. Both are speculative fiction. I’m currently doing a deep dive into Ursula K. Le Guin and will be sharing monthly insights and takeaways from my swim in her worlds.
My desire to feel aligned with my current projects is the impetus for reimagining my website and blog.
A short update regarding my brother Reece. After a very difficult two months, we were happy and surprised to learn that he will be able to return home after his 100 days of skilled short-term care. He has been working so hard for this and it brings me great joy to know he might get his wish. His wish is, however, dependent upon a handicap half-bath being installed on the main floor of his house. This is a big expense for Reece and so my brother Reggie and I have set up a GoFundMe account for him. If you are interested in donating, or know someone who might be, please click here and pass the link along.
Thanks for stopping by The Burning Hearth. Wishing you peace, joy and much adventure this spring!
Constance Malloy 