Back in the innocent days of December of 2019, I wrote a story set on December 21, the longest night of the year. In fact, the holiday I discovered is called Longest Night, and it's a wonderful observance that's growing in popularity.
I say observance rather than celebration because in my story and in reality, Longest Night is a time of reflection. About the year passing, about losses and endings.
And about the joys of the past year, new beginnings, and the necessity of hope.
While writing Finding Sanctuary, I knew the focus would be bittersweet, and I hoped the resulting tale would feel hopeful and uplifting in the end. I was delighted when Kristine Kathryn Rusch, award-winning editor and curator of the 2023 Good Cheer StoryBundle, bought the story for the WMG Holiday Spectacular calendar of stories!
As we all remember, the next year played out differently than any of us could have imagined, even those of us who've been known to write post-apocalyptic fiction. As it turned out, Kris published Finding Sanctuary on the Winter Solstice in 2020. I'll let her tell you how it landed:
I read “Finding Sanctuary” pre-pandemic, and while I wished for a place like The Sanctuary, knowing it would have been useful at many times in my life, I did not think I would need it in 2020.
That we would all need a place like this in 2020.
Kari sets the story on the longest night of the year, which is tonight. She imagines this night as a night of healing, a night of forgiveness, a night for warmth even amidst the cold.
Sure, The Sanctuary is imaginary, but its power is real. I hope this story’s gentleness helps you transition out of this very hard year, and move back towards the light.
Right now, the best way to pick up your own copy of Finding Sanctuary is in the 2023 Good Cheer StoryBundle, where it's part of my anthology with my Sweetie Jason A. Adams, Uncommon Holidays: A Different Side of the Season.
For as little as $20, you'll get an exclusive edition of Uncommon Holidays along with nine other short story books from some of my favorite writers.
In our anthology alone, you'll find tales of the lovely Japanese November celebration of 7-5-3, American Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve Eve, Christmas Eve itself, and Boxing Day. And our two stories included in the Holiday Spectacular volume Winter Holidays add in Verum Familia and Old Christmas Eve.
Throw in dozens more short stories included in the bundle from amazing writers like Kristine Kathryn Rusch, Annie Reed, T. Thorn Coyle, Robert Jeschonek, Dean Wesley Smith, Rebecca Cantrell, Ron Collins, and an anthology full of even more fantastic storytellers from Lyn Worthen, and you'll find an abundance of holiday interpretations you'll want to return to year after year!
If you're facing holiday-shopping crunch time, StoryBundles make perfect gifts. No shipping worries when you can send so many of hits of holiday joy directly to your loved one's inbox!
Or to your own for much-needed escapes during a busy season.
Head over to https://storybundle.com/holiday to grab your copies soon, because this wonderful bundle will disappear in one week!
May your Longest Night reflections be joyful, and Happy Holiday Reading to you and yours!