Where Angels Dance Published

My humorous poem, "Where Angels Dance", has just been published in the December 2025 issue of  Lighten Up Online, a quarterly e-zine I heartily recommend to fans of humorous verse.

(The phrase "heartily recommend", quoted from Art Linkletter's endorsement of the LIFE board game, has been permanently imprinted on my brain like any unforgettable movie quote).

In other publishing news, I'm working on the final stories for what I hope to be my first collection of short stories, tentatively titled, "The First Star is Always the Farthest: Science-Fiction Short Stories by Shawn M. Klimek".

I hope to follow up with a collection of fantasy stories within six months. Should I use the same title, and make it a volume 1 and 2? It might help with subsequent sales to market them as a pair. (The title is admittedly rather hefty, so that begs careful consideration).

Anyway, here are some ChatGPT rendered book cover mock-ups, generated strictly for inspiration.

 (I would never publish an AI book cover).

Rejections and Acceptances

It's been a while since I updated this site.  Not only has "ALONE" been long since published, I've already ordered and received my own copy. 

So, what's new in creative writing?

Not a lot, publishing wise. It's been a long time since I submitted anything.

A few weeks ago, I finished my very untraditional superhero story, Token Heroes, and submitted it to Clarkesworld, earning a one-day form-rejection. (Totally expected, but their quick turn-around is one of the reasons I started there). Next, I submitted it to The Colored Sky, for another one-day rejection—this one personal, and with some useful feedback. 

"...I thought this was an entertaining, dynamic story, but I think I might have liked a little clearer understanding of the motives of the aliens. Additionally, I think I would have liked a little more character development..."

Having received such useful feedback, it only makes sense to rewrite it before sending it out again.

To keep up the momentum, I submitted Mercury is a Hellscape and Survival of the Humblest to Star*Line Magazine, who had personally rejected some poems back in 2020 (thus, a good experience despite the rejections). I subsequently realized that Survival of the Humblest was among those rejected in 2020. Based on their usual response speed, I should find out whether both have been rejected in the next few days.

I submitted three poems to a U.K. based online publication, "Lighten Up Online", and they asked to publish one of them, "Where Angels Dance," in their December issue (or else their March issue, if they run out of space).

So, a single win, thus far, though unpaying. Hopefully, not the last acceptance before this year is out.

ALONE to release September 30

Two anthologies featuring my microfiction have launched or will launch in September, 2005:

"Isolation isn’t just silence—it’s a presence. It whispers, stalks, devours. In this collection of chilling micro-tales, some find themselves abandoned, others exiled, many trapped in grief or madness. Each story reveals a different face of solitude, where absence becomes a tormenting companion and shadows take on lives of their own.

Step inside Alone, and discover what lingers when the world falls quiet. These brief but brutal visions remind us that sometimes the scariest thing in the dark… is being the only one left."

ALONE, an anthology of flash fiction horror (200 scary words) is set to launch on September 30, 2025.

This anthology contains my flash fiction story, "The Lonesome Curse." 

Prepurchase Link: https://books2read.com/BHP-ALONE

A SINGLE MOMENT –– A HUNDRED WORDS –– A UNIVERSE OF POSSIBILITIES

What happens after the unknown has arrived? When the echoes of first contact fade, humanity is left to navigate the tremors of change — new alliances, fragile peace, simmering conflicts, and the birth of strange, dazzling futures.

This anthology of drabbles — stories told in exactly 100 words — gathers a chorus of voices exploring the second wave of discovery. From hopeful to harrowing, exhilarating to unsettling, these bite-sized tales reveal how the aftermath of contact can shape civilizations, destinies, and the very meaning of being human.

Prepare...

The Second Wave is here!

Paperback: ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0FND9Q9J9; E-book: ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0FNB9VJSH

This anthology contains TEN of my science-fiction drabbles: 

 1.        Surface Tension

 2.        Peace Prayer 

 3.        Visit with a Capital V

 4.        True Sounding

 5.        Make Room for Mooms

 6.        Mixed Connection

 7.        Getting Along

 8.        AI Oversight Taskforce

 9.        Ugly is as Ugly Does

10.     Warped Art Heist 

https://www.amazon.com/Drabbles-Second-Wave-S-Charly-ebook/dp/B0FNB9VJSH

https://www.amazon.com/Drabbles-Second-Wave-S-Charly/dp/B0FND9Q9J9

THE UNLIKELY MIRACLE OF INTELLIGENT LIFE

[Unlike most posts on this blog, this one isn't about my creative writing--although the subject has often stirred my imagination. I've read multiple articles over the years on this topic (the rare miracle of life)  but couldn't locate just one quite so complete as this one (compiled by ChatGPT 3.5, if I remember correctly). The Illustration below was generated by Dall-E.].

The emergence and persistence of intelligent life on Earth depends on a remarkable chain of conditions and events—many of which seem extraordinarily improbable. While some may eventually be explained by necessity or probability across vast cosmic scales, from our limited view, they appear as striking “coincidences.” Here’s a catalog of major ones, grouped into cosmic, planetary, and biological categories:

🌌Cosmic-Scale Coincidences

1. Fine-Tuned Physical Constants

The values of fundamental constants (e.g., gravitational constant, speed of light, strength of the electromagnetic and nuclear forces) seem precisely tuned to allow matter, stars, chemistry, and life.

Slight variations would prevent stable atoms, fusion in stars, or the formation of complex molecules.

2. Stable Universe with Long Lifespan

The universe’s expansion rate (driven by dark energy) is just right—too fast, and matter would disperse before galaxies formed; too slow, and it would collapse.

This stability allows billions of years for stellar evolution and life to evolve.

3.  Formation of Heavy Elements

Only massive stars can forge elements like carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and iron in their cores—and only supernovae or neutron star mergers can disperse them into space.
These elements are essential for rocky planets and organic life.

🌍 Planetary Coincidences

4. The Sun’s Unusual Stability and Type

The Sun is a long-lived, relatively stable G-type main-sequence star—rare in the universe.

It provides steady energy for billions of years, essential for life to evolve.

5. The Right Location in the Galaxy

Earth is located in the Galactic Habitable Zone:

Not too close to the galactic center (with high radiation and supernova rates).
Not too far into the sparse outer regions (with fewer heavy elements).

6. Earth’s Size and Composition

Earth is large enough to retain a thick atmosphere and support plate tectonics.

Its metallic core generates a magnetic field that shields against solar radiation.

7.  A Large Moon

Our unusually large moon stabilizes Earth’s axial tilt, moderating climate.

It may also have contributed to tidal effects that helped early life emerge in coastal environments.

8. Plate Tectonics and the Carbon Cycle

Plate tectonics regulate CO₂ levels over geological time, stabilizing Earth’s climate.

Without it, the planet might have experienced runaway greenhouse or icehouse states.

9. Presence of Water in All Three Phases

Earth’s distance from the Sun allows liquid water, a solvent crucial for life.
Water vapor and ice also help regulate temperature via the greenhouse effect and albedo.

10. A Fortunate Impact History

The Earth-Moon system likely resulted from a giant impact with a Mars-sized body (Theia).
Subsequent impacts delivered water and organics—without destroying the biosphere.
Crucially, no sterilizing impacts have occurred since life became complex.

🧬 Biological and Evolutionary Coincidences

11. Abiogenesis (Origin of Life)

Life arose from non-life in a chemical process not yet fully understood—possibly in deep-sea vents, tidal pools, or ice.
The emergence of self-replicating molecules was a huge leap, requiring very specific conditions.

12. Development of DNA/RNA and Protein Synthesis

The transition from simple molecules to complex informational systems like DNA and RNA is an extraordinary leap in complexity and efficiency.

13. Photosynthesis and the Oxygenation of the Atmosphere

Cyanobacteria evolved photosynthesis, transforming Earth’s atmosphere.
Oxygen was initially toxic, but later enabled complex aerobic metabolism.
The “Great Oxygenation Event” was both a mass extinction and a requirement for complex life.

14.  Eukaryotic Cell Evolution

The merger of primitive cells (symbiogenesis) led to mitochondria and complex eukaryotic cells.
This allowed the emergence of multicellular organisms.

15. The Cambrian Explosion

Around 540 million years ago, a rapid diversification of body plans and organisms occurred.
It might have required just the right combination of oxygen, genetic innovation, and ecological feedback.

16. Mass Extinctions and Evolutionary Bottlenecks

Several extinction events (e.g., the Permian-Triassic and Cretaceous-Paleogene) cleared ecological niches, enabling mammals—and eventually humans—to rise.
The asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs was an especially critical moment.

17. Complex Brains and Self-Awareness

Intelligence evolved only in a few lineages—cephalopods, birds, and mammals—with only humans achieving symbolic language, abstract thought, and technology.
This required long periods of evolutionary experimentation and environmental pressures.

18. Survival Through Climatic Catastrophes

Ice ages, supervolcanoes, and other catastrophes could have ended the line of intelligent evolution.
Humanity narrowly avoided extinction multiple times (e.g., the Toba eruption ~74,000 years ago).

🧠 Final Reflection

Even with a universe containing billions of galaxies, stars, and planets, the number and specificity of these “coincidences” has led many to see Earth as a uniquely fortunate cradle of life. Whether viewed through a scientific, philosophical, or theological lens, it underscores how delicate and contingent our existence may be.

ALONE

I signed a contract today for my 200-word story, The Lonesome Curse, to be included in this recently announced anthology of horror flash fiction by indie publisher, Black Hare Press. 

 Also, note that Watership Sideways is already available.

WATERSHIP SIDEWAYS AVAILABLE JULY 19, 2025

Watership Sideways, a contemporary Wonderland adventure for a grown-up, modern version of the classic Alice, will be published July 19th, 2025, but is available for prepurchase today here: https://books2read.com/AA-Shawn-M-Klimek

Look for more books in Black Hare Press, "Alternate Alice"  series, by other authors:

https://blackharepress.com/products/watership-sideways-by-shawn-m-klimek

All Ten Drabbles Accepted

I’m happy to report that all ten of my science-fiction drabbles for the “Second Wave” anthology have been accepted by Starry Eyed Press. Publication date TBD.

Although this is a nonpaying call, I confess to a sentimental fondness for this publisher, because the editor has always been kind and very supportive of my work.

In addition to publishing one of my science fiction short stories, “New Buyers for Old Earth” in their first anthology, “Cosmic Convocation”, ten additional science fiction drabbles in “First Contact”, the preceding book in the science-fiction drabble series to which “Second Wave” belongs, they also published my non-winning entry to their inaugural drabble contest, "Pocket SciFi".

(Perhaps I should reconsider my fondness since they did not judge my entry to be among the top three!)

But when I joined my first Facebook writers’ group, years ago (about 2017) the editor (A.S. Charly) was the first to ❤️ my writing. Over those first years, our respective writing efforts shared numerous anthologies together.

Finally, she generously posted a selfie with my book, Hungry Thing.  She's good people, and a pleasure to work with.

Writing Update...Slow News

In roughly the same sense that two lungs full of pollen are a Spring bouquet, I have writing news. Nothing new published or accepted to report--nothing to sneeze at, one might say—but given my lethargic pace of late, I felt it best to offer some update anyway.

What have I been doing lately?

THE TROPHY

1. On February 28, upon finishing a new, much longer draft of an old science fiction story, The Trophy, (originally fewer than 2k words, now, just short of 9k words) I submitted it to both NewMyths and Planet Scrumm (both of which allow simultaneous submissions). Usually, I run my all complete drafts past a few, reliable beta readers first, but it was already the eve of the submission deadline for one of them (I forget which), so I was rushing. In this instance, I sent it to my beta readers next.

Within a day or two, two of my favorite beta readers separately shared their respective dissatisfaction with the story, alongside advice about each of them would fix it. Upon digesting their comments, I had to agree that both had valid points. Disappointed but realistic, I waited for the inevitable rejection emails to arrive. 

My plan was to let the rewriting suggestions marinate, and then rewrite the story before submitting an updated draft to two or more different paying markets. Meanwhile, I shifted my creative focus to rewriting yet another rejected story that I thought was worth improving.

It was late March (about three weeks later) before I received the rejection from NewMyths. It was mid June when I decided it was time to update my submission records in the online database, Duotrope. I tried to record my submission to Planet Scrumm as (never responded), but Duotrope refused to allow this. Their automated message assured me it I was giving up too soon. So, I wrote a follow-up query to Planet Scrumm asking them to suggest what date I should record for their rejection of "The Trophy". To my surprise, I received a prompt response:

"It’s still under consideration. Sorry for the long wait. It may be another couple months yet. - Tyler"

HOLLY HAD A HUNCH and TOKEN HEROES
Meanwhile, I spent time rewriting "Holly Had a Hunch", and finishing a first draft of a superhero story I named "Token Heroes", as suggested by my author friend, Dawn DeBraal. This time, I sent the superhero story to a few beta readers, who faithfully responded with helpful advice for changes. Both stories are still under revision.


SECOND WAVE


On May 22nd, Starry Eye Press, who has published two prior science-fiction anthologies featuring my works, announced a sequel to their drabble anthology, "First Contact". This latest anthology, titled "Second Wave" will have, as its theme, alien relations following first encounters. It took me until June 13th to complete and submit ten drabbles. I have yet to learn whether or not they've been received, much less accepted/rejected. They were fun to write, but this isn't a paying market.

YESTERDAY, having been recently inspired after watching DEPT Q on Netflix, I began to plot out an original mystery story. I've begun mystery stories before, but have yet to finish any, so this may lead nowhere.To confirm that I wasn't becoming prematurely enthused about an idea that had already been done to death, I began to share the plot with ChatGPT. [Note that I have never and would never allow AI to write the slightest plot point or paragraph for me, nor would I ever put my name to something AI has generated.]  It took me a couple of pages to share how much I had already come up with, during which point I accidentally submitted partial fragments more than once, and had to tell ChatGPT, "I'm not done yet!" Anyhow, I'm still not done, but ChatGPT has already usefully brought to my attention two stories that share elements with my idea (Strangers on a Train, and Double Indemnity). Having read the synopses for these, I'm reassured that my idea is sufficiently original to continue. I have yet to phrase a question for ChatGPT, but I will admit that it's summary rewrite of my draft is conveniently digestible. 

FINALLY, I received an anonymous message yesterday via this blog, from an old Army roommate during my days at Fort Lewis who required I guess his name from these details: A Scottish name. Not Smith. If I do recall the name, he suggested I may be able to find him on LinkedIn as a CPA.  

To my old roommate, if he's reading this: I'm going to need more clues. You can email me at astromote@gmail.com.

Expanded Short Story to become a Stand-alone (Short) Book!

Coming this July, 2025, an expanded version of my short story, "Watership Sideways", from the Alice-in-Wonderland-themed anthology, "13 Lives of Alice" (no longer in print), will be published as a stand-alone book by the same publisher, Black Hare Press. How nice to have another book with my name on it!

This same deal was given to most of the contributors to "13 Lives of Alice", so if you enjoyed other chapters from the anthology, you may be able to enjoy rereading (hopefully improved and expanded) versions of them, separately.

 Although "13 Lives of Alice" remains (temporarily) listed on Amazon.de (Germany) and Amazon.uk (Great Britain), the "out of stock" status will never be corrected. You can only find the book used, if you're lucky.

DRABBLES: FIRST CONTACT by Starry Eyed Press published

As foretold in a post last November, Starry Eyed Press' "First Contact" drabbles anthology has just released as an eBook. The printed versions will soon follow. I have ten micro-stories (drabbles) in this one.

Here are the purchase links: 

📖 Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DXBY42ZG

🌍 Global Link: https://books2read.com/DrabblesFirstContact