Work samples

  • Fairies, Magic, and Monsters - an Essay by Vonnie Winslow Crist.doc
    "Fairies, Magic, and Monsters" is an essay I wrote that was published in "The Little Patuxent Review," which addresses what I see as the need for fantastical stories.
  • A Selection of Poems by Vonnie Winslow Crist.doc
    A selection of 6 poems by Vonnie Winslow Crist from her award-winning books, "The Greener Forest" and "Owl Light." Also, a brief discussion of poetry by Vonnie.
  • An Excerpt from The Enchanted Dagger by Vonnie Winslow Crist.doc
    This is a brief excerpt from "The Enchanted Dagger," which should give readers an idea of the storytelling technique I used to build the fantasy world, Lifthrasir. In my comments at the beginning, I've included a link to a free 3-Chapter excerpt for those who would like to read more of this epic fantasy novel.
  • Henkies Fiddle a Fantasy Story by Vonnie Winslow Crist
    "Henkie's Fiddle" is an example of my folklore-based dark fantasy stories. It was first published in the anthology, "Potter's Field 4." I have included a link to a wonderful free podcast of the story from "Cast of Wonders."

About Vonnie

Harford County

​     Vonnie Winslow Crist (Masters in Professional Writing, Towson University), is author of Shivers, Scares, and Goosebumps (2023 Imadjinn Award); The Enchanted Dagger (Maryland Writers Association Book Award, Compton Crook Award Finalist)Dragon Rain; Beneath Raven's Wing (International Edgar Allan Poe Visiter Award); The Greener Forest (eFestival of Words 2017 Story Collection Award); ​Owl Light (eFestival of Words 2018 Story Collection Award);… more

Story Collections

Believing stories help us to learn from the past, embrace the complexities of the present, and prepare for future, I write lots of stories. Believing myths, legends, folklore, and fairy tales are important in understanding people and their fears, familiar networks, societal structure, and core values. I use them as inspiration. This is the beginning place for all my fiction and most of my poems. I've found common threads run through my short fiction. When enough tales have been written and published, I gather them according to theme, add a few new stories, then look for a publisher.

Dragon Rain is the title of my fourth story collection (Mocha Memoirs Press). Dragons and their kin are present in almost all mythologies. Whether they're portrayed as good, evil, or an ambiguous symbol for nature, dragons usually represent power, wisdom, and strength. Among the cultures celebrated in Dragon Rain are: Japanese, Chinese, Norse, Appalachian, Southern USA Bayou, Alternate Middle Eastern History, Ancient Greek, Medieval European, contemporary USA, British, and Native American. (My 7th great-grandmother was Shinnecock). I hope the collection demonstrates though people are different, we share common challenges, emotions, aspirations, and desires. "A delightful set of dragon tales" says Debbie Mumford, bestselling author. "Sure to please every dracophile" writes award winning author G. Scott Huggins. "Author Steven R. Southard says "Immerse yourself in Dragon Rain, eighteen fantasy stories penned by a master weaver of magical tales." And author James Dorr writes, "Dragon Rain is a rich mix of stories."

Beneath Raven's Wing is my third collection of short stories (Fae Corps Publishing). Ravens appear in these tales as either a character or as a watchful presence. When it came time for a title, I used a line from my poem, "Raven," included in my Maryland State Arts Council Individual Artist Award-winning collection, River of Stars. And I began the collection with an excerpt from the poem: "Raven holds the secrets of night/ beneath her wings,/ guards that knowledge/ with claws and blood." In Beneath Raven's Wing, mystery, magic, and miracles weave through 16 raven-filled stories. Whether set in Edgar Allan Poe's Baltimore, the forests of Scandinavia, a long ago battlefield, the mountains of Appalachia, or a suburban neighborhood, the tales take readers on a dark-winged journey. But be warned, more than an unkindness of ravens haunts these stories. Richard Chizmar, New York Times Bestselling Author calls Beneath Raven's Wing "top-notch storytelling." Claire Davon, USA Today Bestselling Author says the book is "spooky and fantastic." H. R. Boldwood, author of the Corpse Whisperer series and Imadjinn Award Finalist calls the book "an epic journey spanning time and tide." Gustavo Bondoni, author of Off the Beaten Path, Ice Station Death, Siege, Outside, Love & Death, and other books calls the collection "dark, intelligent, and sinister."

Owl Light​ is my second collection of short stories and poems where early stars flicker, owls wake from slumber, and shadows appear where shadows ought not be (Poel to Pole Publishing). In the prose and poems, Owl Light​ ​dims to darkness, dreams change to nightmares, and dawn in more distant than you know.  Again, while written for adults, these stories are Young Adult friendly.  Guardian Liberty Voice ​says of ​Owl Light: "a spellbinding collection," and January Gray Reviews says: "This book will keep you thinking long after you have read it." Other comments ​include: "a wonderful collection of short stories and poems that transport the reader from the past and into the future...Highly recommended" - speculative author, David Lee Summers; "Fairy tales new and re-imagined, modern myth and ancient ritual. Her stories span galaxies and eons. There is something to resonate with all readers within its pages" - author, Rie Sheridan Rose; "A quiet darkness pervades Crist's stories and poems...If you let the tales lull you to sleep, expect shining eyes to peer into the forest of your dreams"- author Anne E. Johnson; and "...a rich tapestry of magic and ritual. What delights the reader...is the way Crist can apply fresh eyes to a familiar situation and conversely, can present the unfamiliar as if it were an old friend" - award-winning writer, Jonathan Shipley.

The Greener Forest is my first collection of short stories and poems (Pole to Pole Publishing). The title refers to that magical place where Faerie and the everyday world collide. There is dark and light, evil and good, and uncertain dusky gray lurking in the stories and poems that inhabit the book's pages. Readers will discover all is not what it seems at first glance, and wondrous things still happen in The Greener Forest. ​While written for adults, the collection is Young Adult friendly.  The Greener Forest​ has been called:
"A wonderful, imaginative, multifaceted collection" by author EJ Stevens. "Magikal, enchanting, and so enticing" by young adult novelist, TJ Perkins. Speculative author Robert E. Waters wrote: "Read this collection. You won't be disappointed." Award-winning Maryland author, Laura Shovan, says of The Greener Forest:  "For Grimm lovers, a darkly imaginative book of modern fairy tales."




 

Editing for Pole to Pole Publishing

​I began editing science fiction and dark fantasy anthologies for Pole to Pole Publishing, a Maryland-based publisher of speculative fiction in 2015. The initial anthology in the Dark Stories SeriesHides the Dark Tower, ​required me to not only read hundreds of stories, but to select and edit the fiction, then piece together a cohesive book. Thankfully, I co-edit with another Marylander, Kelly A. Harmon, whose editorial skills complement my own.

Since then, we have edited (and Pole to Pole Publishing has published) three more Dark Stories Series anthologies, In a Cat's Eye, ​Dark Luminous Wings, and Not Far From Roswell.​  In addition, Pole to Pole Publishing establised a new reprint anthology series, the Re-Imagine Series. The reprint nature of the Re-Imagine Series means most of the submitted pieces of short fiction are solid stories. This abundant good quality pool presents a new challenge -- to select the best of a well-written group of stories which will piece together to form a collection of work that adheres to the theme, but also expands that theme in unexpected ways. To date, I've edited (with Kelly Harmon) 5 Re-Imagine anthologyies: Re-Launch, Re-Enchant, Re-Quest, Re-Terrify, ​and Re-Haunt.

Editing is a wonderful way to improve my writing! When I read the work of other writers, it is much easier to spot both strengths and weaknesses in other people's fiction, which I might not recognize in my own prose. I find by working with writers (and my co-editor) to make a book as well-written as possible, I improve my own writing skills.


​Collaboration has proven, in my case, to be a wonderful thing, and I hope to continue editing for Pole to Pole Publishing in the years to come.

  • hides the dark tower cover.jpg
    hides the dark tower cover.jpg

    "Hides the Dark Tower" is the 1st Dark Stories series short story anthology edited by Vonnie Winslow Crist and Kelly Harmon for Pole to Pole Publishing.

  • cats eye cover.jpg
    cats eye cover.jpg

    "In a Cat's Eye" is the 2nd anthology in the Dark Stories series published by Pole to Pole Publishing edited by Vonnie Winslow Crist and Kelly Harmon.

  • dark luminous wings cover.jpg
    dark luminous wings cover.jpg
    "Dark Luminous Wings" is the 3rd story anthology is the Dark Stories series published by Pole to Pole Publishing and edited by Vonnie Winslow Crist and Kelly Harmon.
  • not far from roswell cover.jpg
    not far from roswell cover.jpg
    "Not Far From Roswell" is the 4th Dark Stories story collection from Pole to Pole Publishing edited by Vonnie Winslow Crist and Kelly Harmon.
  • re-launch cover.jpg
    re-launch cover.jpg
    "Re-Launch: Science Fiction Stories of New Beginnings" is a Re-Imagine series anthology edited by Vonnie Winslow Crist and Kelly Harmon for Pole to Pole Publishing.
  • re-enchant cover.jpg
    re-enchant cover.jpg
    "Re-Enchant: Dark Stories of Magic and Fae" is a Re-Imagined Series anthology edited by Vonnie Winslow Crist and Kelly Harmon for Pole to Pole Publishing.
  • re-quest cover.jpg
    re-quest cover.jpg
    "Re-Quest: Dark Fantasy Stories of Quests and Searches" is a Re-Imagined series anthology edited by Vonnie Winslow Crist and Kelly Harmon for Pole to Pole Publishing.
  • re-terrify cover.jpg
    re-terrify cover.jpg
    "Re-Terrify: Horrifying Stories of Monsters and More" is a Re-Imagine series anthology edited by Vonnie Winslow Crist and Kelly Harmon for Pole to Pole Publishing.
  • re-haunt cover.jpg
    re-haunt cover.jpg
    "Re-Haunt: Chilling Stories of Ghosts and Other Haunts" is an anthology in the Re-Imagined series edited by Vonnie Winslow Crist and Kelly Harmon for Pole to Pole Publishing.

The Chronicles of Lifthrasir

Believing stories help us learn from the past, embrace the complexities of the present, and prepare us for the future, I write lots of stories. Believing myths, legends, folklore, and fairy tales are important to understanding people and their fears, fmailiar networks, societal structures, and core values, I use them for inspiration. This is the beginning place for all of my fiction.

The world-building to create Lifthrasir, the setting of The Enchanted Dagger, Beyond the Sheercliffs, and any future books in The chronicles of Lifthrasir, ​was both fun and daunting. Lifthrasir is the name of the woman who survives Ragnarok, and means one who clings to and celebrates life - so it is an apt name for a work where characters must make the right choices or face dire consequences. I've tried to not only incorporate pieces of known mythology, but invent my own to give the book and its universe a rich tapestry of  legends, myths, and lore.

The Enchanted Dagger​ is an epic fantasy novel, that while written for adults, is Young Adult friendly. It is the first book in The Chronicles of Lifthrasir. The protagonist, Beck Conleth, begins the book living a quiet life in a seaside town with his grandmother. She sends him to retrieve his father's bones and a family dagger, and the adventure ensues. In addressing this genre, I've tried to bring my own style and creativity to not only the setting, characters, and conflicts, but to the overall battle between good and evil--which is at the core of every epic fantasy.

​The novel was a Compton Crook Award Finalist and Maryland Writers Association Book Award Winner. It has been called:
"a strong tale set in a world intricately woven through with magic" by award-winning author, Jody Lynn Nye
An absorbing tale...finely crafted" by novelist, Roxanne Bland
"capably-written, energetic, and entertaining" by prolific short story writer, Jim Lee.

A sample of the positive reviews:
"Adventure, magical creatures, enchantment, and evil lurking around every corner...a very enjoyable read" from Getting Your Read On​ (Aimee Brown, reviewer)
"A thrilling story...recommended to all readers of fantasy adventure. Five stars and a thumbs-up to an excellent book" from Books 4 Tomorrow (Ellen Fritz, reviewer).

Beyond the Sheercliffs is the next book in ​The Chronicles of Lifthrasir​, of which The Enchanted Skean​ is the first in the series. Rather than a traditionally told novel, ​Beyond the Sheercliffs ​is told via novellas which meet at the end of the narrative. Each of the cast of characters and protagonists in the tales has a role to play in the next novel in the series. While the storytelling technique is new to me, I've found it both challenging and rewarding to write the tale from multiple points of view.

​The novellas did not originally begin as parts of a book-length manuscript, but as episodes I wanted to expand into four separate books. Once I began the writing process, I realized these narratives added together gave a more complete look at the same time in the larger story of Lifthrasir. Once again, while written for adults, ​Beyond the Sheercliffs​ is Young Adult friendly.

Scheduled for publication by Pole to Pole Publishing, ​Beyond the Sheercliffs ​is under contract, and has a cover already available from the publisher. 

Shivers, Scares, and... Series

Shivers, Scares, and Goosebumps is the first book in the Shivers, Scares, and... Series. 

Winner of the 2023 Imadjinn Award for Children's Literature, it's been called "A wonderful collection" by Douglas Draa, editor of Weirdbook Magazine.

Shivers, Scares, and Chills, the second book in the Shivers, Scares, and... Series is due for publication in October 2024.

Murder on Marawa Prime

Believing stories help us learn from the past, embrace the complexities of the present, and prepare for the future, I write lots of stories. Believing myths, legends, folklore, and fairy tales are important in understanding pepole and their fears, familiar networks, societal structures, and core values, I use them for inspiration. This is the beginning place for all of my fiction.

Murder on Marawa Prime ​is a science fiction murder mystery. Murder, romance, and flawed science experiments make for a life and death race across Marawa Prime. Two people end up dead by the end of the journey. But just who are the assassins and who are the victims? 

I had fun writing a murder mystery set on a distant planet. The location may be different than earth, but people are people with motives aplenty to commit murder. The challenge with this book was for the reader to identify with the locale and characters even though they are on a different world. The animal side-kick was especially fun - no cat or dog - instead I chose a singing opossum! Again, though written for adults, ​Murder on Marawa Prime ​is Young Adult friendly.

Reviewed in Analog - Science Fiction And Fact magazine, Don Sakers had this to say: "​Murder on Marawa Prime is a SF story and a noir mystery, set on a fascinating and well-drawn planet, all packed into a novelette that will leave you wanting more...The story's tightly plotted, and author Crist does an excellent job of keeping multiple balls in the air while revealing the unique and deadly secrets that have brought murder to Marawa Prime."

Award-winning Science Fiction author, Charles E. Gannon wrote: "Vonnie Crist serves up some deliciously dangerous interstellar noir in Murder on Marawa Prime. ​One part Raymond Chandler, one part Agatha Christie, and a huge dose of her own exceptionally clean prose and understated worldbuilding, this is a fast-moving nail-biter on a planet at once iconic and alien."
Science Fiction author Gail Z. Martin says about the book: "Inventive and entertaining--a real thrill-ride!"
And award-winning writer, Deborah Walker writes, "A fast-paced story of assassins, genetic engineering, singing opossums and betrayal, Vonnie Winslow Crist writes the future fantastic."

The response to this book has been so positive, I think I will be writing a series of linked stories set on Marawa Prime. I'm just not certain they will ALL involve murder and intrigue.

Magical Horses Short Story Collection

Again, I've found a group of my stories has a theme--magical horses. The horses in my fiction are fleet-footed, winged, horned, web-footed, mechanical, and more. Each equine is wondrous and its connection to a human is at the core of the narrative. While some of the stories are still being written, several have been published.
A publisher has already been found for this collection, though the contract isn't signed yet. I look forward to sharing more information as it becomes available. At this time, the book is scheduled for a summer 2022 publication.
  • hoofbeats flying with magical horses.jpg
    hoofbeats flying with magical horses.jpg
    "Beneath the Summer Moon" by Vonnie Winslow Crist was included in "Hoofbeats: Flying with Magical Horses" and "Best Indie Speculative Fiction: 2018."
  • something wicked this way rides.jpg
    something wicked this way rides.jpg
    "Pony Express" by Vonnie Winslow Crist is included in "Something Wicked This Way Rides," a collection of Weird West tales from Dark Owl Press.
  • New Tales of Old cover.jpg
    New Tales of Old cover.jpg
    "Jimmy Lynan's Horse" by Vonnie Winslow Crist is included in "New Tales of Old," a collection of stories based on old folktales and fairy tales.
  • best of iron faerie 2020.jpg
    best of iron faerie 2020.jpg
    "Biast Na Srognig" by Vonnie Winslow Crist is included in "Mythica" and "The Best of Iron Faerie Publishing 2020."
  • Candy Capers.jpg
    Candy Capers.jpg
    "Fairy Floss" by Vonnie Winslow Crist is included in "Candy Capers," from Raven & Drake Publishing.

Science Fiction Short Story Collection

Believing stories help us learn from the past, embrace the complexities of the present, and prepare for the future, I write lots of stories. Believing myths, legends, folklore, and fairy tales are important to understanding people and their fears, familiar networks, societal structures, and core values, I use them as inspiration. This is the beginning place for all of my fiction.

Even though I have four story collections at various stages of publication, I continue to write stories. Many of these pieces of writing are science fiction. Science fiction is a summary term for lots of various sub-genres. Many of the stories I have had published fall into the far-future, away from earth category. Even though the narratives take place far from our home planet, the characters face similar choices and consequences to those they would face should the stories be played out on today's Earth. The challenges (and dangers) are just as real as the ones faced by you and me.

Title to be determined later, I've begun to collect and order these tales which occur beneath skies very different from our skies. 
​I have attached a few of the covers of the publications in which the science fiction stories I'm putting in a science fiction story collection and offering to a publisher have already been published.
  • Amazing Stories.jpg
    Amazing Stories.jpg
    My science fiction story, "A Horse and her Boy," is included in "Amazing Stories" Winter 2018. It is told from the point of view of an automaton horse. "A Horse and her Boy" examines what it means to be "real." The story also appears in "The Fifth Di..." June 2020.
  • Chuck Gannon Antho.jpg
    Chuck Gannon Antho.jpg
    My science fiction story, "From the Stars," is included in the anthology, "Lost Signals of the Terran Republic." Faced with the realization that humanity is not only not alone, but seeded elsewhere in the universe when she examines ruins on a faraway planet, the protagonist decides to smuggle the information back to Earth even though the consequences could prove deadly.
  • Of Gods and Globes 2.jpg
    Of Gods and Globes 2.jpg
    My science fiction story, "Asteria," is included in the 2020 anthology, "Of Gods & Globes II." Combining Greek mythology and astronomy while referencing Lovecraft's Cthulhu myth, the story examines if two very different species can develop a friendship.
  • Fantasy Short Stories anthology.jpg
    Fantasy Short Stories anthology.jpg
    My science fiction story, "Travelogue," is included in "Fantasy Short Stories: Anthology Series Book One," published in Australia. The story was also published in "The Fifth Di..." September 2020. Set in the far-future, a group of middle-aged Earthers visit a wilderness planet for site-seeing and adventure. "Travelogue" examines an alien indigenous society and its compassion -- or lack thereof when a woman tumbles into their lives.
  • Breathe.jpg
    Breathe.jpg
    My science fiction story, "The Drowning Pool," is included in the 2020 book, "Breathe: Anthology of Science Fiction," published in India. "The Drowning Pool" is also published in the Japanese anthology, "Insignia Stories: Asian Science Fiction." Set on Mars in the future, it is part ghost story and part a nod to Lovecraft.
  • More Future Earth.jpg
    More Future Earth.jpg
    My science fiction story, "Alone at the End," is included in the 2020 anthology, "Sci-Fi Stories: More Future Earth." The tale is about a survivalist who must decide if compassion is more important than potential exposure to a deadly pandemic.
  • Midnight Masquerade.jpg
    Midnight Masquerade.jpg
    My science fiction story, "Masks," is included in "Midnight Masquerade." The story was also published in the 2020 anthology, "Future Syndicate II." The central character in "Masks" is an assassin who seems to kill without conscience until she's hired by the authorities on Mars to kill a child.
  • Bad-Romance-636x1030.jpg
    Bad-Romance-636x1030.jpg
    My science fiction story, "City of the Hungry Coyote," is included in the 2020 anthology, "Bad Romance," from an Australian publisher. A tale of madness and the consequences of chemical poisoning, it's set on Mars.
  • dogs of war.jpg
    dogs of war.jpg
    "Defending the Future's "Dogs of War" includes my dog story, "Tower Farm." A hard look at war, its consequences, and wounded warriors who still want to remain useful, "Tower Farm" is also part of "Outposts of Beyond" July 2016 and "Re-Launch."
  • Cirsova sum. 2020.jpg
    Cirsova sum. 2020.jpg
    My science fiction story, "Sail Safe," is included in "Cirsova Magazine" Summer 2020. Set in a mining community on the moon, it's about a man hired to acquire the niece of a Martian settler, destructive secrets, and the price of the truth.

Dark Fantasy Short Story Collection

Believing stories help us learn from the past, embrace the complexities of the present, and prepare for the future, I write lots of stories. Believing myths, legends, folklore, and fairy tales are important to understanding people and their fears, familiar networks, societal structures, and core values, I use them for inspiration. This is the beginning place for all of my fiction.

I have been writing additional dark fantasy stories. Many of them have been published or are scheduled for publication. Again, I've noticed common themes and images weaving through these pieces of fiction. I have begun the process of ordering the stories and discovering where there are gaps in the over-arching narrative -- which a short story collection must have in order for the reader to feel a sense of cohesiveness.

But I've dicovered I have TWO dark fantasy story collections developing! One is for young adult readers (middle school and up), and the other for older readers. When considering which stories would be appropriate for younger readers, I've had to recall what my kids enjoyed reading as well as what students I taught in that age-bracket read. It's proving to be a challenge, but one I feel up to.

​I cannot be certain when I will have tow completed, publishable manuscripts, because of exclusivity clauses with many of the anthologies and magazines. I have a publisher interested in the adult book once it is completed and free from contractual issues. The young adult collection hasn't been submitted to publishers yet. I've attached covers of some of the places where these stories have been published.


  • Ethereal Tales Special Issue.jpg
    Ethereal Tales Special Issue.jpg
    My dark fantasy story, "Black Bear, is included in "Morpheus Tales" (UK) presents "The Ethereal Tales Special Issue." This transformation tale also appears in the 2020 "Lockdown Paranormal Romance #1" anthology (Australia) and "Manawaker's Flash Fiction Podcast" (Germany).
  • Fantasia Divinity Mag Aug 2018.jpg
    Fantasia Divinity Mag Aug 2018.jpg
    Vonnie's story featuring Antietam and other battle sites, "Battlefields" was first published in "Fantasia Divinity Magazine," August 2018. "Battlefields" was reprinted in "Re-Haunt."
  • Faerie.jpg
    Faerie.jpg
    My fantasy story, "Pixie-Led" is included in the 2020 anthology, "Faerie," published in Australia. Inspired by stray-sod pixies and their ability to get people lost, it's set on the Appalachian trail.
  • Ghostlight 2020.jpg
    Ghostlight 2020.jpg
    My dark fantasy story, "The Wondercade," is included in "Ghostlight: The Magazine of Terror" Fall 2020. Set in a roadside circus and amusement part, the story is told from the point of view of The Wondercade's owner.
  • Mythica.jpg
    Mythica.jpg
    My fantasy story, "Biast Na Srognig" is included in the 2020 Australian anthology, "Mythica." Set on the Isle of Skye, it features a mythic creature more easily described as a water unicorn.
  • devolution z jan 2017.jpg
    devolution z jan 2017.jpg
    My dark fantasy story, "Justice," is included in the Canadian magazine, "Devolution Z Horror Magazine" January 2017. Also published in "Re-Enchant," this tale is based on an obscure vengeful fairy who protects children.
  • Haunted Hallows.jpg
    Haunted Hallows.jpg
    My dark fantasy story, "Death and Thyme," is included in "Haunted Hallows: Fright Fest." Set in the Southern USA, the story features a woman who doesn't want to leave with Death when he shows up in her kitchen.