It seems to me like most good advice on writing boils down to 1) read widely, and 2) write. But I wish more people understood that all published writing is an optical illusion, a magic trick that looks effortless but is in fact the product of endless rehearsal, practice, and revision.

I told myself that I wouldn’t be one of those writers who would move to NYC and then write a short story about moving to NYC. I’ve read too many of those over the years and they start to be repetitive. But then, I discovered I wanted to use all the newness I was experiencing.

If you’re a writer reading this, you’re probably invested in speculative fiction. I suspect you share with me the sense that our world could be—and should be—much better than it is! I believe fiction can make space for imagining better worlds and how we might get to them. And I believe your work—yes, you, personally—matters.

“Diamonds & Toads” was one of my favorite fairy tales when I was young. I think I just liked the visual of roses and snakes falling out of people’s mouths. (Still do, TBH.) When I reread it as an adult, though, I was struck by how sorry I felt for the oldest daughter.

If we are to have any chance at averting a climate disaster, we must do more than just reduce our carbon output—we need to get to carbon zero or better. “Carbon Zero” explores the human cost of what may become humanity’s last chance.