Announcements

Hello Friends,

No in-depth blog this week (random or intended) as I’m currently working through a lot of material. I’m a one-woman blogger and writer so these sort of non-blog weeks are unavoidable but know that part of mind is always here in this wonderful community of writers and poets. Speaking of which…

1. THANK YOU ALL for the overwhelming support for my latest poem, “She Left.” I was taken aback by the private responses. I felt simultaneously supported and saddened. To know this kind of pain resonates with so many…well…in a way it prods my wound but also reaffirms the release of my work. It brings to mind a quote from Hemingway, “There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.”

2. I surprised myself earlier in the month when I submitted my first ever poetry package (including the mighty “The Kiss,” which continues to receive a lot of attention, so another THANK YOU to the poetry community) to a publishing house I’ve worked with before. I’ve stated this fact several times, I do not identify as a poet. I appreciate the medium, adore it really, and even dared a few constructs, but I make no claim to being a poet.

I’m glad I stepped out of my comfort zone and took the risk (something I’ve discussed at length in this blog, Regret) as I’m gaining experience in the field regardless of the decision. I should know around my birthday in November, so it’s either going to be HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISTINA or…meh, better luck next year.

If you’re reading this, thanks again G.O. 

3. My next blog will be a book review for the novel Good Girl, Bad Girl, by Michael Robotham. I’m currently devouring the book, licking my fingers as I go, not wanting to miss a crumb. Robotham is a favorite and I all but salivated when he dropped this one in July – that’s how behind I am in my reading list – now I’m back on track, ready to rip into it. I expect that blog to be out Sunday or Tuesday of next week.

“When I grow-up” (as a writer) I want to be Michael Robotham. I enjoy using psychological elements in my work, my reading preferences are no different. Robotham makes the atypical mind look downright normal. Complex characters are presented so smoothly I’m often knocked out of the story in disbelief. Here was a recent thought I had while reading Good Girl, Bad Girl: How the fuck did he just lay that out!? What!? How!? HOW DOES HE WRITE LIKE THAT!? *smacks head* 

4. Just an answer to those folks who’ve expressed curiosity about my Twitter handle. The muggle bit is straightforward but people ask what the GNR stands for. In the 90s, I was all about Guns N’ Roses and continued to be even after the music stopped. Harry Potter and online handles seemed to explode at the same time. I just crammed together two of my favorite things. It may seem silly but I never have to worry about originality. No string of numbers attached to my online handles, thank you very much.

Alright y’all, that’s me updated. Keep your fingers crossed on my latest submission. I’ll let you know the decision regardless as these endeavors are not just meant to express the positive outcomes. Take care out there.

Cheers,
Christina Schmidt, MA
www.ArmedWithCoffee.com
@gnrmuggle

Apologies for the silence.

At the start of every fall semester there are three critical weeks on any given university campus. I am currently in the final stretch.

No joke, I’ve completed four punch-cards for free coffee at my local campus shop, Jo’s Coffee (shoutout to Jo’s). Armed-with-coffee, indeed.

Believe me, I look forward to resuming my regular blogging schedule.

If you’re reading this, send coffee. And no, I don’t think I have a “problem.”

Cheers,
Christina Schmidt, MA
www.ArmedWithCoffee.com
@gnrmuggle

PS – I Got a Job

My goal has been to consistently publish a blog once a week, usually a Tuesday. That goal wasn’t always met but I managed it for the most part. I will need to find a new blogging rhythm because…

I’m thrilled to announce, after more than a year of searching, I was hired as a part-time manager to the Bookstore at St. Edward’s University, also my alma mater.

It was my privilege to counsel students for nearly a decade. I got to be apart of hundreds of developing stories as students worked out what they were doing and why.

When I took time away from counseling to raise my family, I explored writing professionally and now there’s no going back.

The only drawback to writing full-time was my increasing sense of restlessness. I have a lot of energy and experience. Prior to my work as a counselor, I put myself through college at the same Bookstore I now find myself employed with.

What can I say, I know books.

It’s a thrill and an honor to be back. I have time for a career in books and in writing. It’s so perfect it borders the fantastic.

Cheers,
Christina Schmidt, MA
ArmedWithCoffee.com
@gnrmuggle

America’s Emerging Literary Fiction Writers: The Plains States (Available for Purchase)

I am so pleased to announce my new short story, “Integrated Product,” was published as part of the 2019 Emerging series by Z Publishing.

22 authors and their short stories were selected to represent the Plains States.

From Z Publishing’s website:

In America’s Emerging Literary Fiction Writers: The Plains States, 22 up-and-coming writers representing five states across the Great Plains (KS, MO, NE, OK, and TX) share their short fiction stories. Covering a wide array of themes ranging from love and heartbreak, family and friendship, the inherent beauty of nature, and so much more, these young talents will amaze you. Containing one short story per author, this anthology is a compelling introduction to the great wordsmiths of tomorrow.

To purchase America’s Emerging Literary Fiction Writers: The Plains States, click here.
[Featuring my short story, “Integrated Product,” 2019]

To purchase America’s Emerging Writers: An Anthology of Fiction, Vol. II, click here.
[Featuring my short story, “Snowbound,” 2018]

To purchase Texas’s Emerging Writers: An Anthology of Fiction, click here.
[Featuring my short story, “Snowbound,” 2018]

Additionally, all collections are available (Plains States coming soon) on Amazon.com!

Thank you for ongoing support!

Cheers,
Christina Schmidt
ArmedWithCoffee.com
@gnrmuggle

America’s Emerging Writers

I am ridiculously pleased to announce my short-story, “Snowbound,” received a second publication! I only learned about the surprise selection a few weeks ago, on my birthday of all days. Happy birthday indeed!

Originally published under the short-story collective, Texas’s Emerging Writers: An Anthology of Fiction, by Z Publishing, “Snowbound,” alongside a shortlist of other up-and-coming authors (also from the original series), were selected to appear in the new collective, America’s Emerging Writers: An Anthology of Fiction. “Snowbound” is published in Volume II.

Thank you all for your ongoing support! I dare say it, I may actually have a shot at getting the attention of a literary agent or publisher for my novel, Ruth Rises (originally titled as, Ruth).

From Z Publishing’s Website:

“There is a troubling catch-22 that exists in the world of publishing: in order to be published—at least by any of the major houses—you must already have been published. Inevitably, this cycle leaves the aspiring writer with the pressing question of where to begin. This is why, in the winter of 2017, we started our Emerging Writers series—to showcase the work of talented writers and poets across the nation who may otherwise not have had the opportunity.

Nearly two years later, those efforts have culminated in perhaps our most ambitious project to date. In America’s Emerging Writers: An Anthology of Fiction, 127 of our favorite up-and-coming writers (representing all 50 states) join together to share their words. Covering a wide array of genres ranging from satire, mystery, comedy, literary fiction and more, these young talents will amaze you. Containing one story per writer, this anthology is a compelling introduction to the great wordsmiths of tomorrow.”

Purchase America’s Emerging Writers, Volume II, on Z Publishing’s Website

Purchase America’s Emerging Authors, Volume II, on Amazon

Texas’s Emerging Writers is Now Available on Amazon

You can now order Texas’s Emerging Writers: An Anthology of Fiction on Amazon! I’m thrilled to be part of this effort by Z Publishing whose aim in highlighting burgeoning authors across the nation is inspiring.

To my readers, family, and friends, thank you all for your ongoing support.

Order on Amazon

Order from Z Publishing

Pre-Orders for Texas’s Emerging Writers: An Anthology of Fiction

YOU GUYS!

You’ll have noticed *ahem* an absence of blog activities from ArmedWithCoffee but for good reasons, many of which I’ll address in an upcoming blog. For now though, know that I’ve been hard at work.

And on the to the good…no…great news! My short story “Snowbound” will be published in the upcoming anthology – Texas’s Emerging Writers: An Anthology of Fiction! I’m thrilled, I’m excited, I’m dumbfounded. It’s been a real pleasure to see the works of so many new and upcoming authors from my state. I’ve enjoyed their stories and I hope you will too.

You can pre-order your copy of the book via Z Publishing’s website here:
http://bit.ly/2AKfKmq

Cheers,
ArmedWithCoffee.com
Austin, Texas
@gnrmuggle