The Land is Starving

Happy 2026! 2026 is… interesting… so far, but it’s starting off well for my writing. I’ve learned that my short story “The Land is Starving” will be appearing in the Spring 2026 issue of Tales from the Crosstimbers. This is a speculative fiction magazine with a particular but not exclusive focus on the Crosstimbers Forest region of the United States. I grew up in the North Texas part of this region, so I’m happy to represent.

This story started as an attempt to write a story about the titular main character of the song “Cowboy Dan” by Modest Mouse. It’s one of those songs that’s always stuck with me as a writer as it evokes such a clear and specific character. It’s an archetype that grows more and more relevant to understanding the soul of America and what has brought us to the current state of everything. The story, of course, went off the rails a bit. It’s about an aging Vietnam veteran in small town Texas who encounters a young newcomer to the town who ends up leading him on a journey to face the cosmic horror of buried grief and buried queerness.

Otherwise, like many Texans, I’m facing some triggering of my Snowmageddon PTSD as we are gearing up for our yearly big icy weather event. My local H-E-B put toilet paper on sale this week, which is a choice they may regret, as it seems the mere suggestion of icy weather is enough to turn a significant number of people into Cornholio. I have plans to engage in a lot of stew-making, baking of various sorts, movie-watching, and of course, writing.

I’m hoping to have more good writing news to share soon! Thanks as always for your support!

xo, Max