And for Toby’s birthday, two posts in one day!
I am also a writer, mostly of poetry and nonfiction, but occasionally of fiction. I am an avid reader of science fiction and fantasy, but have not written much in this much beloved genre. A few years ago, though a story came to me, and I was lucky enough to get it published. So here is my first published fantasy story, which, of course, features Nihon Ken. It’s a long story, a novella, so is not a quick read, but I hope is an enjoyable one. While the story is fantasy, it is clearly based on the native dogs of Japan.
And while it is not illustrated, I thought I’d include a couple of photos of the dogs that inspired by story. The Kai Ken:
The Akitas:
And of course, the Shibas:
And here is my story, with a huge thank you to the editors at Black Denim Literary Review who published it: “Dogs of the Snow Country.”
From the House of the Fox Dogs 
Feb 18, 2017 @ 06:21:11
Hello! Fellow writer here (and dog appreciator). I originally read “Dogs of the Snow Country” in Black Denim Lit about a year ago, and I just wanted to tell you how much I love it. It’s so vivid and fully-realized, so real and magical at the same time. Periodically, my brain remembers some image, some moment from it, and I go looking for more of your work — which is how I got to this post today. And of course I’m loving the photos of the dogs who inspirted it! The story felt part of a bigger world, possible a bigger narrative — if there’s more, I would read the heck out of it.
Feb 18, 2017 @ 12:34:58
Thank you! I so appreciate it! It came to me rather fully formed, and I’m not sure there is more to it, but I do hope to do more work in the genre! And I’m glad you got to see the dogs that inspired it!