ID: Zoom video snapshot. Top left: Robert Kingett, a slim white man wearing a black shirt, cream pants, and holding up a mirror for a bathroom selfie. Top right: Cait Gordon, a white woman with silver medium length hair, red rimmed glasses, silver and black headphones, and a black T-shirt. Her background is a purple to orange gradient space sky with the In the ’Cosm logo to the top right of her. Bottom photo: Randy Lacey, a white man with brown hair, brown-rimmed glasses, a goatee, and wearing a black T-shirt. He's smiling as he speaks into his hanging microphone.

In the ’Cosm Podcast S1, Ep6: The Artificial Divide Between the Blind and the Sighted, with Robert Kingett and Randy Lacey

Season 1 ends with a bang editors Robert Kingett and Randy Lacey speak to me about their upcoming anthology, Artifical Divide. This collection of fiction stories is written by authors who are Blind, visually impaired, or who have low vision.

You can listen to this episode by clicking the embedded Spotify widget, or you can stream the podcast from  Anchor.fmApple PodcastsSpotifyPocket CastsRadio Public, and Google Podcasts. You can also watch it (with CC) on my YouTube Channel! (The video should be up by end-of-day on Friday May 7, 2021. Click the bell on my YouTube channel to be notified when new episodes are published!)

(Please scroll down to read the transcript for this episode.)

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Transcript

ID: Zoom video snapshot. Top left: Robert Kingett, a slim white man wearing a black shirt, cream pants, and holding up a mirror for a bathroom selfie. Top right: Cait Gordon, a white woman with silver medium length hair, red rimmed glasses, silver and black headphones, and a black T-shirt. Her background is a purple to orange gradient space sky with the In the ’Cosm logo to the top right of her. Bottom photo: Randy Lacey, a white man with brown hair, brown-rimmed glasses, a goatee, and wearing a black T-shirt. He's smiling as he speaks into his hanging microphone.
(Thanks, fellows, for a great season finale!)

Intro: Hi, and welcome to In the ’Cosm. I’m your host Canadian speculative fiction author Cait Gordon. I’ve started this podcast, so I can chat with authors and other creatives I simply fan girl over. I hope you enjoy diving into my microcosm and feel inspired to seek out the works of these amazing humans.

Cait Gordon: Hi, I’m Cait Gordon, and today’s a unique day because it’s my first episode with two guests, and not just any guests. But Robert Kingett and Randy Lacey, who are the editors in chief of the upcoming Artificial Divide anthology, where the authors and their protagonists are Blind, visually impaired, or who have low vision.

Robert Kingett is a totally blind author and accessibility advocate. He writes fiction and nonfiction, but is often involved in many consulting positions. He also contributes to many research papers in his spare time.

Since 2010, Randy Lacey has been adapting to his new life as a visually impaired individual. He’s been a writer of poetry since the late 70s, and since 2013, he has self-published books of poetry as well. Randy has now entered the world of short stories and hopes to release a collection in the near future. When he’s not busy with writing, Randy blends spices and creates hot sauces. Welcome Robert and Randy!

Randy Lacey: Hey!

Robert Kingett: Hey! Thank you for having us.

Cait Gordon: This is such a treat for me to have you both in my microcosm at the same time, because I’ve actually just finished reading Artificial Divide as one of your support editors [laughs].

Randy Lacey: There you go! I’m glad we can both fit.

Cait Gordon: [laughs] Yeah, exactly. What—I’m going to start with you, Robert. Because I remember we had a discussion over Twitter, where you wanted to do an anthology like this. Can you please share with our audience how you came up with this idea, and why?

Robert Kingett: Sure. So, I came up with the idea because I just saw a gap within publishing that really wasn’t being taken advantage of, and also a… at the time, I saw a lot of writers actually getting rejected. Not for the quality of their work, but because their character had a disability or disabilities, so I wanted to create opportunities for others. And so that’s— and so I got the idea to make an anthology that would showcase authors and showcase their work, to kind of give everybody a taste of “Well, hey, this is the kind of talent that you’re missing out on.”

Cait Gordon: Absolutely, for sure. Randy, what was your reaction at being asked to be a co-editor in chief for this collection of stories?

Randy Lacey: That opportunity came out, came about rather innocently. I was in one of my groups that I’m, I am on, on Facebook, and somebody private messaged me, saying—who knew that I was visually impaired—and suggested that I get in contact with Nathan and talk to them about a project that was being produced. And so I reached out to to Nathan and, who responded to me, and it just went from there and, you know, I tried to [laughs], I tried to—I’ve got no experience at this or, you know, I just write I don’t do anything else but write. And he convinced me that, you know, there was, it wasn’t that difficult—not to belittle the job or the task at hand—but in defining what he wanted me to do. I felt it was within my grasp to be able to do that. So I gladly jumped on board and I haven’t regretted it once, one bit.

Cait Gordon: That’s wonderful. You know, it’s, you know, each of your responses are so relatable to me because with Robert saying, you know, wanting to showcase these voices, that’s how I felt with the Nothing Without Us anthology. And Randy, I [laughs] had no experience at all as an editor in chief of an anthology. And I think that’s the thing I love—Randy mentioned, Nathan, that’s Nathan Frechette from Renaissance press—Nathan is wonderful at encouraging people to do things, even if we’re unsure of ourselves. So, I’m so glad the two of you worked together on this. Um, Robert, why is the anthology called Artificial Divide?

Robert Kingett: Because there is always this misconception that the Blind and the sighted are worlds apart, and that could not be farther from the truth. Even among those who may not be visually impaired, but who may have other disabilities, they sometimes see blindness as just a whole other world. So, I tried to be clever, and, and I thought, well, We’re not literally divided were artificially divided, so that’s basically where they came from and, I learned that I’m not as clever as everybody else thinks. [laughter]

Cait Gordon: I don’t know, you seem pretty clever to me. [laughter]

Robert Kingett: Thank you. Um… but, it’s to kind of show that we’re not as divided as everybody likes to think. Because even though these protagonists have low vision or are totally blind, they love and they hurt and they have pain, and they’re growing. Yeah, just like you.

Cait Gordon: Yeah. Yeah, exactly. I think that’s so important. A lot of times, people with various conditions, disabilities, states of being are just reduced to these tropes and cliches, which I feel are also propagated through fiction. So, the fact that—I was so happy to know that this collection was another collection of fiction stories, because I’m just, I’m sure I’ve said this every episode of the podcast, but I feel that fiction has such a power to influence, sometimes even more than nonfiction, even though nonfiction is extremely valuable as well. And and I was just thrilled. Did it matter to you, Randy, as well? Randy did it matter to you that these stories were fiction as opposed to essay-based?

Randy Lacey: Um, I like the idea of fiction because people can then try to put themselves into that picture, and imagine themselves. So, it draws a reader in rather than informs the reader through real stories. Fiction, at least people can… I just, like I said, picture themselves within, and it’s not too hard to imagine that way, as it is to in reality. I could give you countless numbers of stories where people tried to identify with me in real life but have no clue, but in through reading, it’s easier.

Cait Gordon: Right, yeah, storytelling, I guess it’s an age-old thing right I mean when you think about fairy tales and fables, right? They have influenced for millennia [laughs], really. So, we’re just kind of carrying on the torch by releasing anthologies like this.

Randy Lacey: Absolutely.

Cait Gordon: So, um, now I know how I felt when I was editing an anthology for the first time, being at the other side of the anthology table. Can you share with us, both of you, your delights and the challenges you faced during the selection process? Robert I’ll begin with you.

Robert Kingett: Okay, so this really opened my eyes, because I’ve been pitching to magazines and anthologies for years and years. So, I did not really appreciate the time it takes, and the effort it takes to really read and go through a submission, and, and make a decision. That just had never crossed my mind of how much, how much, how much importance one line or one paragraph is. So, what I really liked about the process, is it really got… it really opened my eyes to how to be a better writer myself.

Cait Gordon: Mmm, interesting!

Robert Kingett: Because you can, you can see where the rest of the story is really good except for this one tiny part that just—in a short story, things have to be much more concise. So if one tiny thing is a little askew, then your story… it doesn’t fall apart, but it feels, it feels.. Hm, how do I say this? It feels like there’s something missing, and it’s just out of reach, and you can’t quite grab it. One of the difficulties, I’ve, I’ve had is, is, quite honestly, choosing the final stories for the anthology because there were just so many good possibilities that just had one little thing that did not add up or more.

Cait Gordon: Right, yes. Oh, yes! Ah, it’s so…[laughs]

Robert Kingett: Yeah yeah yeah, so. [Cait laughs] You know exactly how it feels. So, like, and to be clear, it’s it’s not a reflection on the writer. Sometimes it just literally comes down to the personal taste of the editors. But one thing I try to do is try to give personal feedback on every single rejection because that makes a world of difference. When you have a person who can really sit you down and say, “Hey, your strength is, is your world-building [Cait makes sound of agreement], but there’s this part in the middle where I got kind of lost?” So that really helps a writer, much, much, much more than just say, “Your story is rejected.” But I want writers to know that even if your story is not chosen, it doesn’t mean that you’re a bad writer. There’s so many kind of factors that you don’t have privy to, so don’t take it personally. [laughs]

Cait Gordon: Oh, there’s so much you said there that I’m like, “Oh gosh, yes, yes, yes!” [Robert and Cait laugh] I think this is a therapy episode for me! [Robert laughs and says, “Yeah!”] Randy, what were the delights and the challenges for you with story selection?

Randy Lacey: Um, the world of the short story is a fairly new one to me, especially writing. And it wasn’t until I took a poetry course through—anyway, it doesn’t matter who it’s from. But my instructor told me to start editing my poetry, and I was like, “Really? Edit? [Cait laughs] You edit poetry?” I just always thought you just write it, and that’s the way it was meant to be. So, when the stories started coming in, the submissions for this anthology, I really learned the need for editing. But that’s not to say that the stories weren’t good. Some stories missed the point of the whole anthology altogether, which was probably the hardest thing for me because some of the stories were good, but they had nothing to do with Blind or visually impaired [Cait says, “Right yes,”], it was that was an afterthought to the story. And I really hated tossing some of those aside. But, I mean, the main principle or the main theme of this anthology was Blind, visually impaired, and then everything. Not everything, and “oh by the way I’m blind or visually impaired.” That was the hard thing for me.

Cait Gordon: Yeah, yeah, when I laugh, it’s like laughing because I completely understand. Can we just say here officially on the In the ’Cosm podcast? Study the guidelines. [laughter]

Robert Kingett: Yes, yes! Study them!

Cait Gordon: We craft the submission guidelines for a reason.

Randy Lacey: Absolutely [laughs].

Robert Kingett: Yes, absolutely. I—one thing that I did learn throughout this whole process—I’m not really sure if this is true for other people—but I’ve learned that I am really good at giving constructive criticism, and I had no idea [laughs].

Cait Gordon: I did, I did! [Robert and Randy laugh] Folks, I hired Robert to be a sensitivity editor for a Blind character I had in kind of mermaid fantasy story. I had a Blind character in it, and he offers very constructive, extremely useful criticism, so yes, you do. I knew that before you did! [laughter] What about, like, are there particular stories in Artificial Divide that really grasped you? I mean, I know every story is important or else you wouldn’t have put it in there. But were there some that you just said, “I have to have this in my anthology,” or in our anthology? Randy? What did you—do you feel any stories that really resonated with you?

Randy Lacey: There were a few. I basically—as I read them, or, I used a reader, as they were being read to me. I used the five star rating and rated them as such. And Robert and I agreed on, on quite a few of them. But Vision, the story of Abdil, really caught me. It was a heart-wrenching kind of story. You’ll have to buy the book to read it, so you know I encourage you to, but it was, it was a heart-wrenching little story. So much said in so few words. And that’s the kind of story I like, and it just it grabbed me and it held me. I felt, I almost cried. I don’t cry because I don’t [laughter], but anyway, it was just one of those stories, you know that grips you, and you know you want to feel for this person.

Cait Gordon: Mm.

Randy Lacey: So, that was the big one, and there was like a couple of other ones that the title escapes me right now, but there were a few that were really like that one. But Vision I think was the big one for me.

Cait Gordon: Okay. Okay, thank you. Robert, what about you?

Robert Kingett: Sure! So I liked three of them, I—just for future note, authors who are looking to possibly submit to me in the future, I like character-driven stories. So, the three that really grabbed me were Vision… That one at first, I, I, I thought I’d missed a point or something, but I realized that, “Oh, I just read it on a bad day.” And then when I read it again later, it just, it just hit me, like, “Oh my gosh, This is a really great story.” The two other ones that really grabbed me and held me were, were A Firefly of Hope

Cait Gordon: Oh yeah! Sorry, I liked that one [laughs].

Robert Kingett: Yeah, yeah. Because I love… I, this is my warped taste coming into play. But I love, I love revenge stories where the protagonist is really smart. And they have to overcome so many things [Cait says, “Yeah.” using their brains. The third one that just, oh my gosh [Cait laughs], you guys have to read, is a story called Inspiration Pornstar.

Cait Gordon: Yeah.

Randy Lacey: I agree.

Robert Kingett: That one, it, it just, just, wow. [laughs]

Cait Gordon: Also the title , the title: Inspiration Pornstar.

Robert Kingett: [Robert laughs] Yeah.

Cait Gordon: Yeah. I even told Talia about that title and we just laughed because it’s just [Cait and Robert laugh].

Randy Lacey: When I read that title, I almost just bypassed the story, but I’m glad I didn’t [laughter].

Cait Gordon: Well, you know, I think for a lot of us, in, in the disability community, particularly like when it comes to like, storytelling, inspiration porn is tedious, it’s just so tedious [Robert says, “Yes!”] It takes away all of our humanity. You know, Robert was saying earlier about “Hey, there really isn’t a divide,” you know, “If there’s a divide it’s an artificial one.” You know it’s true. When you do inspiration porn, if you write characters whose only benefit is to help the abled neurotypical person, or ,they get to overcome their disability or whatnot. I mean, the rest of us are like, “Really though?” [laughs] Like, it’s just…yeah. So, I did laugh heartily with that title because I thought it was a little bit on the brilliant side [laughs].

Robert Kingett: And then I read it, and my whole entire world was just shattered, and you know that when you get through with a really good story, and you’re thinking about it hours later, you know that you’ve hit a home-run.

Cait Gordon: Yes, I love when stories have that effect, you know? For sure! And and if and if they are whirling through your mind, yeah, that’s something that belongs in your anthology. So we’re kind of—

Robert Kingett: Can I be be greedy and add one more story to the list of favourites?

Cait Gordon: Absolutely. Go ahead.

Robert Kingett: [Laughs] Woohoo! So, one more of my favourite stories was, was called Noah and the Dragon, for the simple reason that the protagonist takes challenges that she has been given, and she, she overcomes the challenges, not her disabilities.

Cait Gordon: Yes, exactly. I love that story as well. I love it. That was the one it was like it was a fantastical story, right?

Robert Kingett: Yes!

Cait Gordon: And she has to deal with, you know, just learning how to, you know, navigate her world while Blind in sort of a almost a medieval-like fantastical setting.

Robert Kingett: Yeah, exactly.

Cait Gordon: Yeah, I love that one too. [Cait and Robert laugh] So good! Yeah, I’m glad I let you say that [Cait and Robert laugh]. So, I’m going to switch gears, as we’re rounding up this session already. Let’s talk about your works. So, I want to I want to know what are some works and recently published titles, each of you have had. I’ll start with you, Randy? Or something that’s coming up?

Randy Lacey: Basically what I tend to do is I will go a year… everything that I write within that year, I publish the next year, self-publish. So at the end of 2020, it was really hard to get anything in print at all because of, you know, current world conditions.

Cait Gordon: Yeah.

Randy Lacey: So, though the book was released early or later in 2020, I was only able to get printed copies in January of this year of my latest collection of poetry, which is entitled From Somewhere Deep Within.

Cait Gordon: Nice.

Randy Lacey: Yes, and the picture on the cover, I took when I was down in the Dominican Republic, and and I designed the cover myself. and it’s just poetry from from the year 2020. Or sorry, yeah 2019. Sorry. And so right now I’m working on two other books from the accumulated poems of 2020, and I have no title for that—well, I’ve got a couple of working titles but nothing definitive yet—but that’s what I’ve got. I’ve got two more. I’ve also working on, as you mentioned, short stories. So I’ve been entering contests and with the rejections, I’ve been putting them towards a short story compilation. And basically the title is going to be called… it’s going to be called… I’ve totally forgotten now. Anyway, so it’s it’s for short stories under 2000 words.

Cait Gordon: Nice!

Randy Lacey: Yeah! Yeah, basically—In Not So Many Words; that’s what it’s called.

Cait Gordon: In Not So Many Words. That’s a brilliant title for—

Robert Kingett: I love it!

Cait Gordon: Short short stories. Right? Hello! [laughter] Let’s just give an award for that book, based on the title!

Robert Kingett: Right, Yeah!

Randy Lacey: [laughs] Thank you, thank you. So that’s what I’ve got going on right now.

Cait Gordon: That’s great, that’s really good. And you know, I just want to say, I always feel writing is never a waste of time, and I love when, I love when authors who have received rejections decide, “You know what? I’m going to put this in my own compilation.” Right? Because it is true, like, sometimes you get rejected, just because the editor has a certain feel [Robert says, “Right!”] for the magazine or the anthology they’re putting out, and even though your story’s good, it might not even match with that feel. So, it has nothing to do with the quality of the writing or anything like that. So, I love that you’re kind of saying, “Okay that’s fine. It wasn’t a good fit for them, but here’s my compilation.” Then you gave it a brilliant title, so everybody wins. [laughter]

Randy Lacey: Well we hope. [laughter]

Cait Gordon: So, so Robert, do you have anything other than the amazing Artificial Divide coming out?

Robert Kingett: [laughs] Um, I, well, no, not this year, but I hope that next year, I will have a children’s book coming out. I do have some really great news in the sense that I that I am actually looking over literary agents’ [Cait says, “Oooo!”] contracts. So, I have actually gotten a few offers in there, so we, we shall see. 2020 was a really, really hard year for my writing. Nothing, just really nothing really clicked.

Cait Gordon: Yeah.

Robert Kingett: So, so 2021, I… something happened where I finished a children’s book. And I went hunting for literary agents, and I got multiple offers—

Cait Gordon: Oh my gosh!

Robert Kingett: I just had to choose, so [laughs].

Cait Gordon: Okay, so, that’s awesome. [laughter]

Robert Kingett: Yeah, yeah [laughs].

Cait Gordon: I hope you’ll still speak to us when you’re like uber-famous. [laughter]

Robert Kingett: Of course I will? [laughs]

Cait Gordon: What was her name? Kat-something? Morgan? Kat Morgan? Was that her name? [laughter]

Robert Kingett: Which I kind of have to say is, so ironic, because 2020 was just the year of rejections.

Cait Gordon: Yeah, it happens, doesn’t it, right?

Robert Kingett: Yeah, so, each and every each and everything I did, so. So I, so it’s kind of ironic that I go, “Okay, I’ll just try this,” and not even actually think about it, and see what happens. And I thought I was actually going to get a ton of rejections, and the opposite happened. Yeah. [laughs]

Cait Gordon: You know, you just gotta keeping trying, right? Like, that’s the way the game is played. Congratulations. That’s amazing. So now I’m down to my final question, which is my favourite. What is a fun fact about yourself? Robert, tell us a fun fact about yourself that we wouldn’t know.

Robert Kingett: A fun fact about myself was, I, I had a rooster, for almost five years.

Cait Gordon: Oh my gosh [laughter]. That’s awesome. I did not expect you to say that, so… [laughter] May I just ask how you come across getting a pet rooster? Like, I guess I was born on concrete; I’m a real city girl so… [laughter]

Robert Kingett: I, you know, this is the fun fact that I don’t even know about myself. It just kind of materialized out of thin air. Literally. So I, like, ’cause I was walking home from the, [Randy trying not to laugh] from the store, and I just I just happen to notice that a little baby rooster [Cait laughs]—I don’t actually know what they’re called— was actually following me home. So, so I said, “Okay. Come on in!” [laughs]

Cait Gordon: [laughing] That’s amazing!

Randy Lacey: So, Robert was that a general store? [laughter]

Cait Gordon: Wow, I think you’re literally the only person I’ve ever met who had a little rooster chick or whatnot, follow him home. That’s, that’s astounding, I guarantee, nobody else’s fun fact will be that. So it’s very, very unique.

Robert Kingett: You have no idea. [laughter]

Cait Gordon: So, so Randy, what is a fun fact about yourself?

Randy Lacey: I have got nothing that can compare to that. [laughter] I’ve got a lot of fun fact. And for some of them I would have to… I can’t tell you or I’d have to bury the bodies [Cait laughs]. But, um, I was an extra in Rocky IV.

Cait Gordon: OH, go away with yourself!

Robert: Cool!

Randy Lacey: No, seriously, it was filmed in Vancouver, and I was a street person in Vancouver at the time [Cait says, “Wow!”], I lived on the streets for a few years. [Cait says, “Okay!”] But that’s, that was fun. It was a lot of fun getting to meet the stars and seeing how Hollywood works.

Cait Gordon: Gee! I love these questions [laughter]. I have learned so—I’ve learned—you know, I don’t think I’m actually going to erase either of those fun facts from my mind about you guys [laughter]. Look, thank you so much for coming aboard. This is actually going to be the last episode of the first season of my, my podcast so I’m ending it off with a bang with you two. Thank you so much for being here today.

Randy Lacey: Thanks for having me.

Robert Kingett: Thank you for having us. And one final quick note from me. Writers are not your competition. They’re just friends that you have bet yet, so don’t ever think a writer is your competition.

Cait Gordon: I absolutely agree. It’s so great when we all collaborate and support and celebrate each other’s wins, you know, and support each other through the not-so-wins-just-yet moments. Folks, you will learn more about Robert by visiting his website, blindjournalist@wordpress.com. And you can learn more about Randy at his website, therandylacey.ca.

Transcripts for In the ’Cosm are available at caitgordon.com. That’s c-a-i-t gordon dot com. Thanks for joining us. Take care and stay safe.

(Transcribed by https://otter.ai. Edited for clarity by Cait Gordon.)
 


ID: Greyscale headshot of Cait Gordon, closeup, wearing a black shirt

Cait Gordon is a disability advocate who wants everyone to be wise and think of others as we battle COVID-19!

Cait is also the author of humorous space opera novels Life in the ’Cosm and The Stealth Lovers, and she is the co-editor of the Prix Aurora Award nominated anthology Nothing Without Us. When Cait’s not writing, she’s editing manuscripts and running The Spoonie Authors Network, a blog whose contributors manage disabilities and/or chronic conditions. Her latest new adventure is hosting the In the ’Cosm podcast, which is really an excuse to gush over authors she admires.

Nothing Without Us cover and slogan: We're the heroes, not the sidekicks.

Two Reviews in One Week? YAY!

Pinch me! Actually, don’t. Keep two metres away, please. But still, you can metaphorically pinch me because in the middle of *gestures at pandemic*, I was so surprised to receive notifications of two new reviews of Nothing Without Us!

The first one is “Centering Differences,” written by Cherie Pyne for the Montreal Review of Books. That thrilled me because I grew up in Montreal, so it’s always lovely when you get acknowledgement from your home city:

The manifesto of plucky editors Cait Gordon and Talia C. Johnson for this anthology was to gather great short stories that not only centre the disabled experience (all main characters are disabled, Deaf, neurodiverse, spoonie, and/or managing mental illness or chronic conditions), but also buck the tired tropes that dominate disabled representation. 

Cherie Pyne for Montreal Review of books

The second review is “CLUBHOUSE: Review: Nothing Without Us, a genre anthology about disability,” written by R. Graeme Cameron for Amazing Stories magazine. I was gobsmacked by this conclusion:

I think this is an important and significant book. Certainly memorable. You won’t forget what you’ve read when you put it down. This anthology deserves an Aurora Award, in my opinion. It’s that good.

R. Graeme Cameron for Amazing Stories

I mean, I think our authors are brilliant, so to me, Nothing Without Us is award-winning content. Even if we don’t earn a nomination this year, it’s still so lovely that someone feels the same way as I do about the quality of this anthology.

But, hey, if you are a member of the Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy Association (CSFFA) and can vote for who gets on the 2020 ballot, and you feel inspired to nominate Nothing Without Us (by Cait Gordon and Talia C. Johnson), that would be most lovely!

In the meantime, I want to bake something. I feel cake is in order.


Cait Gordon, in a black and white digital sketch

Cait Gordon is a disability advocate who wants everyone to pummel that curve!

She’s also the author of Life in the ’Cosm and The Stealth Lovers. When Cait’s not writing, she’s editing manuscripts and running The Spoonie Authors Network, a blog whose contributors manage disabilities and/or chronic conditions. She also teamed up with Kohenet Talia C. Johnson to co-edit the Nothing Without Us anthology in an attempt to take over the world.

Book covers for The Stealth Lovers and Nothing Without Us

Update: Here’s where you can buy The Stealth Lovers and Nothing Without Us!

Last night (October 5) at the multi-author book launch hosted by Presses Renaissance Press, I read from The Stealth Lovers and also got my copy of Nothing Without Us. It never stops being magical—holding the paperbacks of my work for the first time. *happy sigh*

I thought I’d provide an update where you can buy my new novel and anthology. And thanks to all who have already supported these books!

The Stealth Lovers

Cover of The Stealth Lovers. Two men in flight suits, one with coral scales and the other mauve, are about to engage in a kiss while standing on a snowy mountaintop under an aurora-filled sky. Overhead flies a stealth fighter.

A military space opera and romance story of two beloved characters from Life in the ’Cosm! If you adored Xax and Viv before, just wait until you read The Stealth Lovers—their origin story! From meeting at age nineteen during basic training and throughout their many adventures as the warriors known as The Stealth, you’ll find yourself drawn into the microcosm of a couple who can be best described as legendary, formidable, and fabulous.

Add to your Goodreads “Want to Read” list!

Paperback

Ebook

Nothing Without Us

Nothing Without Us book cover. Russet bricks covered with faded paint in tan, yellow, red, and aqua. Spray-painted in bold black letters is the phrase: Nothing Without US

We are the heroes, not the sidekicks. Nothing Without Us is an own-voice, multi-genre collection of fiction stories where the protagonists identify as disabled, Deaf, neurodiverse, Spoonie, and/or they manage mental illness. These are 22 tales told in our voices, but important for everyone to experience. Foreword by eight-time Prix Aurora Award winner Derek Newman-Stille.

Add to your Goodreads “Want to Read” list!

Paperback

EBook

Audiobook

(Downloadable)

(Downloadable)


Cait Gordon, in a black and white digital sketch
Cait Gordon

Cait Gordon is a disability advocate and the author of Life in the ’Cosm and The Stealth Lovers. When she’s not writing, Cait’s editing manuscripts and running The Spoonie Authors Network, a blog whose contributors manage disabilities and/or chronic conditions. She also teamed up with Kohenet Talia C. Johnson to co-edit the Nothing Without Us anthology in an attempt to take over the world. Narf.

Logo text that reads: Nothing Without Us in black against a white background.

Holy stars, I did a thing!

As co-editor of the Nothing Without Us anthology, this last few weeks felt as if I were handed the baton in the second-to-final lap of a relay race while I cried, “Oh crap, I need to deliver this to the last runner!”

The “last runner” being the final production team at Presses Renaissance Press.

However, the edits got sent to authors, the stories came back, and then it was time for me to assemble them into the final manuscript. Talia and I agreed that two people doing this at once wouldn’t work. Anyway, this is kind of my jam because I used to prepare publications for proofing back in the ol’ tech writing days.

But wow, are things different now. Even though I advocate for disabled folks, and this anthology is all about works from disabled, Deaf, neurodiverse people . . . somehow I forgot I’m disabled, too. It boggles the mind, I know. Silly me.

Working to a deadline while managing an unpredictable neuropathic pain condition is super fun. Because, you know, of the unpredictable part. Like when you must send off a manuscript, and the body decides to deliver 8+/10 pain levels in all the fibro icky spots. Having my fingers flare up is not exactly convenient at times like this.

Nevertheless, I got through it and sent the entire manuscript off to the Editing Manager at Renaissance this afternoon. WHOOPEEE!

Now I want to sleep until they call me Rip Van Cait.

But I did the thing!

And when I see all these words bound in a book with its wicked cover, it will all have been worth it.

Actually, when I’ll read about how excited the authors are over getting their copies, it will be so worth it.

So, in conclusion:

YAY!


Cait Gordon, in a black and white digital sketch
Cait Gordon

Cait Gordon is a disability advocate and the author of Life in the ’Cosm and The Stealth Lovers (Fall of 2019). When she’s not writing, Cait’s editing manuscripts and running The Spoonie Authors Network, a blog whose contributors manage disabilities and/or chronic conditions. She’s also teamed up with co-editor Talia C. Johnson on the Nothing Without Us anthology (Fall of 2019.)

ID: Cait crawling on the ground, being the Monty Python "It's" guy.

I feel like the “It’s” guy from Monty python…

You know what I mean, right? That poor soul who pants and gasps and crawls his way through the terrain just to look at the camera a say, “It’s…” before he collapses?

ID: Cait crawling on the ground, being the Monty Python "It's" guy.
ID: Cait crawling on the ground, being the Monty Python “It’s” guy. (Drama much?)

Gracious, I’m so busy, my busy is busy! This is Kickstarter month for the Nothing Without Us anthology, so it’s all promos and interviews and fundraising—oh my! Today was the first day I actually did some stylistic and sensitivity editing, like an editor is wont to do.

I have little to complain about, though, because as of the hour, we’re 82% funded with 19 days to go! I’m thrilled but think I’ll only exhale when we hit 100%. After that, I hope we get our stretch goals, because it would be great to produce an audio book and illustrated print book along with the eBook.

The reason I feel like the “It’s” guy is because I am so massively sick. I’ve a chronic cough that robs me of my sleep (doc and I are sorting this out) and a schedule that’s go, go go! Doesn’t the universe realize I’m a Spoonie??? You know, so it can suspend time until I have more spoons? Nope. Oh well. Will keep doing my best with the spoons I have!

Though I am loving that this anthology is happening, I do miss writing. Once we pass the manuscript of Nothing Without Us to Renaissance’s copyediting and proofreading team, I’ll have a wee rest, then maybe write at my leisure. Oh yeah, and find the time to turn 50. Gosh, there’d better be a gluten-free cake I can dive into and eat my way out of on my birthday!

Ahem, anyway, there’s lots going on, and wow, have I ever gained respect for anthology editors. They work hard, folks! I think the next time an editor accepts my work into an anthology, I’m just going to tell them on a regular basis how much I appreciate them.

But busy or not, we’re having a blast. Talia and I are having belly laughs most of the time, basically because we’re really weird, and it helps us relieve the stress of the job. We have amazing authors and I swear to you, the best publishing director in the world to work with, so it really is a labour of love.

You’re gonna see, though. I’ll flomp right on my face after saying “It’s…” before someone else says, “Nothing Without Us.”

Hey, that might be a fun idea for a book launch!


Cait Gordon
Cait Gordon

Cait Gordon is a disability advocate and the author of Life in the ’Cosm and The Stealth Lovers (Fall of 2019). When she’s not writing, Cait’s editing manuscripts and running The Spoonie Authors Network, a blog whose contributors manage disabilities and/or chronic conditions. She’s also teamed up with co-editor Talia C. Johnson on the Nothing Without Us anthology (Fall of 2019.)

ID: Pregnant human holding a red paper heart in front of their belly.

I think editing an anthology is like being pregnant.

Okay, so never mind the fact that I’ve never birthed a child of my own. I still believe—and have had confirmation from a human who has given birth twice—that editing anthologies is like being preggers.

At the beginning, it’s this wonderful announcement, and you feel like puking a little (from hoping people will respond to your call for submissions). Then as the stories come in, you start to glow and feel so excited. It gets a little backbreaking to choose from the slush pile, and by the time the preparation for the Kickstarter comes in, you want to scream: GET IT OUT ALREADY!

But as sure as I know I love cake, I bet as soon as I hold the anthology in my hands, I’ll say, “Let’s make another one!”

I’m probably the luckiest Spoonie editor in the world, though. Truly. My best friend Talia Johnson is my co-editor, and the most amazing publisher in the world (Renaissance) has taken on Nothing Without Us. Nathan Fréchette, Talia, and I are some kind of power trio who really get each other and share a vision for this anthology. But the biggest delight has been the authors themselves. I am constantly humbled by their talent and so grateful they exist. What’s an anthology without authors who are passionate about the theme?

And Nothing Without Us is something. Own-voice stories starring protagonists who identify as disabled, Deaf, neurodiverse, and/or who manage mental illness. Characters like us are not on the sidelines or are not being crafted by people who have no idea who we are. These characters are the stars of the show, created by us and for us, yet important for everyone to read!

The entire month of April 2019 will be our Kickstarter. I saw the intro video and even in its rough state, I trembled with excitement.

Minds will be blown by this anthology. Disclaimer: We are not responsible for anyone’s minds being blown. The stories are awesome. Deal with it.

But yeah, it’s more work than I ever expected. Yet, it’s absolutely a labour of love! Get it? Labour? Huh? Huh?

I’ll see myself out.

Cait Gordon
Cait Gordon

Cait Gordon is a disability advocate and the author of Life in the ’Cosm and The Stealth Lovers (Fall of 2019). When she’s not writing, Cait’s editing manuscripts and running The Spoonie Authors Network, a blog whose contributors manage disabilities and/or chronic conditions. She’s also teamed up with co-editor Talia C. Johnson on the Nothing Without Us anthology (Fall of 2019.)

ID: Woman on comfy grey couch, buried under a blue furry blankie.

I’m still alive, honest!

Hey, folks! I haven’t blogged in a few weeks because

(1) I have this stalker-cough. Yes, it’s stalking me. I’m considering getting a restraining order on this virus.

(2) I am up to my eyeballs in editing work!

I’ve been helping the husband unit with his first book, Dissatisfied Me, A Love Story, by giving it a pre-beta reader edit. I am told I shall be paid my worth in cupcakes. I’m pretty priceless, so that should be awesome.

But mostly, my brain has been preoccupied with story selection for the Nothing Without Us anthology. Talia and I have selected what we feel are the final stories, and the Kickstarter is happening on April 1, 2019! There’s so much to do to prepare. This is the first anthology I’ve ever been involved with as a co-editor and whew, is there a lot of work! But it’s a labour of love, and I cannot we until we can reveal it to the world!

Oh , oh, oh! I’ve also been collaborating with Nathan from Renaissance about the cover design for The Stealth Lovers! Gee, with all this NWU anthology stuff, I keep forgetting about my own novel. This year is just chock full of exciting editing and writing things!

But for right now, it’s back to recovery mode, in my minion feety jammies. Furry blankie awaits!


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Cait Gordon

Cait Gordon is the author of Life in the ’Cosm and The Stealth Lovers (Fall of 2019). When she’s not writing, Cait’s editing manuscripts and running The Spoonie Authors Network, a blog whose contributors manage disabilities and/or chronic conditions. She’s also teamed up with co-editor Talia C. Johnson on the Nothing Without Us anthology (Fall of 2019.)

ID: A stitched heart against a black stitched background. Title: We Shall Be Monsters, Edited By Derek Newman-Stille. (With stories by Day Al-Mohomed, Lena NG, Ashley Caranto Morford, Cait Gordon, JF Gerrard, Andrew Wilmot, Evelyn Deshane, Simon Turner, Kaitlin Tremblay, Lisa Carreiro, Eric Choi & Joseph McGuinty, Jennifer Lee Rossman, Randall Arnold, Alex Acks, K.C. Griffant, Halli Lilburn, Kev Harrison, Corey Redekop, Ariana Verbree, Max D. Staton, Victoria Martin, Priya Sridhar, Liam Hogan, Joshua Bartolome

We Shall Be Monsters is now available!

Squee! I’ve been waiting for this Frankenthology all year and it’s aliiiiive! We Shall Be Monsters, edited by Derek Newman-Stille and published by Renaissance, is a collection of short fiction inspired by Mary Shelley’s 1818 version of Frankenstein.

ID, book cover: A stitched heart against a black stitched background. Title: We Shall Be Monsters, Edited By Derek Newman-Stille. (With stories by Day Al-Mohomed, Lena NG, Ashley Caranto Morford, Cait Gordon, JF Gerrard, Andrew Wilmot, Evelyn Deshane, Simon Turner, Kaitlin Tremblay, Lisa Carreiro, Eric Choi & Joseph McGuinty, Jennifer Lee Rossman, Randall Arnold, Alex Acks, K.C. Griffant, Halli Lilburn, Kev Harrison, Corey Redekop, Ariana Verbree, Max D. Staton, Victoria Martin, Priya Sridhar, Liam Hogan, Joshua Bartolome
ID, book cover: A stitched heart against a black stitched background. Title: We Shall Be Monsters, Edited By Derek Newman-Stille. (With stories by Day Al-Mohomed, Lena NG, Ashley Caranto Morford, Cait Gordon, JF Gerrard, Andrew Wilmot, Evelyn Deshane, Simon Turner, Kaitlin Tremblay, Lisa Carreiro, Eric Choi & Joseph McGuinty, Jennifer Lee Rossman, Randall Arnold, Alex Acks, K.C. Griffant, Halli Lilburn, Kev Harrison, Corey Redekop, Ariana Verbree, Max D. Staton, Victoria Martin, Priya Sridhar, Liam Hogan, Joshua Bartolome

My short story, The Hilltop Gathering, appears in this anthology. I’m so thrilled it got accepted because it’s my first published piece starring a person (or monster) who is disabled. It was great to respond to the call for marginalized voices. I can’t wait to read all the other stories, which come from authors around the world!

We Shall Be Monsters is now available on Amazon or the Renaissance website! Please consider supporting this really cool anthology and elevating our monstery tales!


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Cait Gordon

Cait Gordon is the author of Life in the ’Cosm (Renaissance) and The Stealth Lovers (Renaissance 2019). When she’s not writing, Cait’s editing manuscripts and running The Spoonie Authors Network, a blog whose contributors manage disabilities and/or chronic conditions. She’s also teamed up with co-editor Talia C. Johnson on the Nothing Without Us anthology (call for submissions are ongoing until January 31, 2019.)