Award Eligibility 2023
This year my story "There's Magic in Bread", originally published by Fantasy Magazine, is eligible for the Short Story category for the Hugos, Nebulas, World Fantasy, Locus, and other awards.
There's Magic in Bread
Published in Fantasy Magazine
“Everyone’s making bread,” I say, trying to sound casual and not like I’m terrified, because talking about bread is easier than talking about what’s going on. My phone balances on my belly as I lie in bed. “It’s like the pandemic hit, and everyone’s collective delusion went ‘I’ll bake bread, that’ll solve it.’ I just don’t get it.”
“There’s magic in bread,” says my bubbe. Her voice is tired. “A good challah is worth more than its weight in flour, oil, and eggs.”
“Okay, but why baking, of all things? If people want to help they should stay home. Maybe volunteer to deliver food to neighbors if they’re healthy enough to do it.” If I keep my voice light enough she won’t know the fear makes my chest feel like an iron band is shrinking around it.
“Everyone’s making bread,” I say, trying to sound casual and not like I’m terrified, because talking about bread is easier than talking about what’s going on. My phone balances on my belly as I lie in bed. “It’s like the pandemic hit, and everyone’s collective delusion went ‘I’ll bake bread, that’ll solve it.’ I just don’t get it.”
“There’s magic in bread,” says my bubbe. Her voice is tired. “A good challah is worth more than its weight in flour, oil, and eggs.”
“Okay, but why baking, of all things? If people want to help they should stay home. Maybe volunteer to deliver food to neighbors if they’re healthy enough to do it.” If I keep my voice light enough she won’t know the fear makes my chest feel like an iron band is shrinking around it.