With 2026 wrapping up soon, I wanted to share a few updates. If for no other reason than this year has been a professional whirlwind for me. Here’s what’s up.
I graduated from West Virginia University with an MFA in creative writing. My dissertation, War All the Time, is uploaded and done—but no, unfortunately, you can’t read it just yet.
But on that note, War All the Time is being considered for a Conference of Southern Graduate Schools Thesis Award. I’ll let you know how that shakes out.
I was a runner-up for the 2026 Veteran Writers Award, awarded every year during the Lighthouse Writers Workshop. The piece, Birding, is a hybrid flash (<1000 words) set in North Dakota. It’ll be published in the next few months.
An essay I wrote, Whatever It Is, It’s Already Gone, will be published by The Wrath-Bearing Tree before the end of the year.
I’m putting a popular essay I wrote some time ago, Binge, in the Kindle store. The piece was considered for the 2026 Best American Essays—I’m very proud of it. I’ll share the link in a new blog post when it’s available.
Finally, another military-themed short story I wrote, Cover, will also be released in the next few months. And with that, I can move on to the big update.
I’m not writing military fiction ever again.
Lots of reasons. Mainly, I never wanted to be a military writer in the first place. I’ve always been drawn to horror, and when I was accepted to WVU, that was my plan. Didn’t play out that way for a few reasons. But either way, I’m incredibly happy and grateful for the experience; it truly made me a better writer.
There’s also a pretty big selection of military-themed writing I have that isn’t published yet. Chances are I’ll get those in the Kindle store over the next few months.
And with that, I’m officially a horror writer. Feels good.
I’ve already finished a psychological horror novella—it’s currently sitting in the inbox of a few literary agents. I also sent the manuscript directly to an indie publisher. So, we’ll see what happens. I’ll keep you posted. Additionally, I’ve got another novella in the works and a massive novel that, quite frankly, I can’t wait to show you guys.
That’s all for now. As always, thank you for your continued support. Keep your eyes peeled for future updates, because while 2026 proved to be an incredible year for my writing career, 2027 is going to be even bigger. I guarantee it. Not because I’m the most talented writer, or because I have some sort of “in” with the industry—but because, plain and simple, my stubborn ass will never, ever stop.
People don’t fail, they quit.
Thanks all. Talk soon.
