Author. Editor. Geek.

Karen Menzel (née Bovenmyer) is a speculative fiction author and poet. Her original work has appeared in Heroic Fantasy Quarterly, Strange Horizons, Abyss & Apex, Pseudopod, Gamut and more than 40 other publications. Her game writing credits include Mythmakers (Ed Greenwood presents Realmsbound), Alderac Entertainment (Ascent of Dragons), Onyx Path Publishing (Pugmire), and the video game Meta!Blast. Her editing credits include Pseudopod and Mothership Zeta magazines, John Joseph Adams Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy anthologies, and Goodberry Press (Aaron Miller’s Primal Encounters).

Internet Speculative Fiction Database: Karen Menzel (Bovenmyer). https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?220907

Publications: Fiction

Novel

Bovenmyer, Karen. Swift for the Sun. Tallahassee: Dreamspinner Press, 2017. https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/swift-for-the-sun-by-karen-m-bovenmyer-8308-b.

Short Stories and Novellas

2024

Menzel (née Bovenmyer), Karen. “Who We Were in the Mirror,” (original) in Interdimensions: GenCon Writers Symposium Anthology, ed. Toiya Kristen Finley. (Atthis Arts LTD: August 2024), 26-39.

Menzel (née Bovenmyer), Karen. “Paint It Black,” (original) in Maine Character Energy, ed. Sarah Parke. (Rogue Owl Press: January 2024), 61-65.

2023

Menzel (née Bovenmyer), Karen. “Invasive Species,” (original) in Horrors of the Deep: Startling Sea Stories, ed. Franklin Ard. (Rogue Owl Press: July 2023), 110-111.

2022

Menzel, Karen Marie. “Whitey and the Kid,” (original) in After the Burn, eds. Franklin Ard and Joseph Carro. (Rogue Owl Press: November 2022), 59-65.

Pre-2022 publications are as Bovenmyer, Karen:

2020

“Nightmare Spinner,” (original) in Way of the Laser: Future Crime Stories, eds. Eric Bosarge and Joe McDermott. (Vernacular Books: June 2020), 257-268.

“Snow as White as Skin as White as Snow,” (reprint) in Weird Dream Society: An anthology of the possible and unsubstantiated in support of RAICES, eds. Carina Bissett, Julie Day, Chip Houser, Steve Toase and The Post-Apocalyptic Writers Society. (Reckoning Press: April 2020), 153-155.

2019

“Cadaver Feet,” (reprint) in The Binge-Watching Cure II: An Anthology of Horror Stories, ed. Bill Adler Jr and Sarah Doebereiner. (Claren Books, October 2019).

“The Book of Answers,” in Monarchies of Mau: Tales of Excellent Cats, ed. Melanie Meadors. (Onyx Path Publishing, June 2019).

2018

“From Now Until Infinity,” (original) in Factor Four Magazine, March 27, 2018. http://factorfourmag.com/from-now-until-infinity-by-karen-bovenmyer/

“Eyes That See Everything,” (reprint) in Event Horizon 2018: An Anthology of Authors Eligible for the John W. Campbell Award For Best New Writer, ed. Jake Kerr. (Quanta Shirtsleeve Press: January 2018)

2017

“The Scarlet Cloak,” (reprint) in Like a Woman: Speculative Fiction Anthology Inspired by Women, ed. Mirren Hogan, Jeanette O’Hagan and Christina Aitken. December 25, 2017. https://www.amazon.com/Like-Woman-Mirren-Hogan/dp/1976722675

“Snow as White as Skin as White as Snow,” (original) GamutMagazine, December 2017. http://gamut.online/node/337.

“The Dance of Shadow and Light,” [Marilynn Puddleby, pseud.] (original) in Rorschach’s Ink Anthology, eds. Madeline Beiwel and Mariah McGuire. (CreateSpace, November 2017). https://www.amazon.com/Rorschachs-Ink-Writers-Guild-ISU/dp/1978046367/.

“The Things Between Us,” (original) in Quick Shivers in the Midwest, eds. James Frederick Leach and Janice Leach (Ann Arbor, MI: Cosmonomic Multimedia, October 2017). https://www.amazon.com/Quick-Shivers-Midwest-Janice-Leach/dp/1940719038/.

“Failsafe,” (reprint) in Starward Tales II Anthology, ed. C B Droege (Munich: Manawaker Studio, September 2017). http://www.manawaker.com/starward-submissions/.

“Like a Soul,” (reprint) in Descansos, ed. Susannah Carlson (Niles, CA: Darkhouse Books, July 3, 2017). https://www.amazon.com/Descansos-Words-Wayside-Susannah-Carlson/dp/1945467002/.

“The Scarlet Cloak,” (reprint) in The Evil Within: A Fairytale Villains Anthology, ed. Madeline L. Stout (Charleston, SC: Fantasia Divinity, June 28, 2017).

“What the Dollhouse Said,” (reprint) in Mrs. Rochester’s Attic, ed. Matthew Pegg (Leicestershire, UK: Mantle Lane Press, May 9, 2017), 39-42. https://www.amazon.com/Mrs-Rochesters-Attic-Madness-Secrets/dp/0993264832/.

“The Red Red Rose,” (reprint) in 9 Tales Told in the Dark #21 (Bride of Chaos, March 9, 2017). https://www.amazon.com/9Tales-Told-Dark-21-ebook/dp/B06XMQDF27/.

“Samuel Alexander’s Storm Angel,” (original) in Roane Publishing Flash Fiction Fridays, March 3, 2017, http://roanepublishing.blogspot.com/2017/03/flashfictionfriday-samuel-alexanders.html.

“Like a Soul,” (reprint) in Creepy Campfire Quarterly #5: Science Fiction Edition, ed. Jennifer Word (Atchison, KS: EMP Publishing, February 24, 2017). https://www.amazon.com/Creepy-Campfire-Quarterly-Science-Fiction-ebook/dp/B06X9KL8MT/.

“The Beaded Slipper,” (original) in Maidens and Magic, ed. Allison Reker (Charleston, SC: Crimson Edge Press, February 14, 2017), 7-56. https://www.amazon.com/Maidens-Magic-Karen-Bovenmyer-ebook/dp/B01MYBKF6A/.

“What the Dollhouse Said,” (reprint) in Episode 524: Flash on The Borderlands XXXV: The Kids Are All Wrong, Pseudopod, Escape Artists, Inc., podcast audio, January 6, 2017. http://pseudopod.org/2017/01/06/pseudopod-524-flash-on-the-borderlands-xxxv-the-kids-are-all-wrong/.

2016

“We Are Still Feeling,” (reprint), Sockdolager’s Women of WarSpecialIssue, Winter 2016, http://www.sockdolager.net/we-are-still-feeling.

“On Rising One Snowy Evening,” (reprint), Cosmic Roots and Eldritch Shores, December 29, 2016, http://cosmicrootsandeldritchshores.com/.

“The Scarlet Cloak,” (reprint) in Crossroads in the Dark II: Urban Legends, ed. Edd Sowder (Spartanburg, SC: Burning Willow Press, December 16, 2016). https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MXZDRLP/.

“Failsafe,” (reprint) in Onyx Neon Shorts Horror Collection 2016: Tales of the Bizarre, ed. Jeffrey P. Martin, (Charleston, SC: Onyx Neon Press, October 2016), 56-123.

“We Are Still Feeling,” (original) in Boundaries Without: The Calumet Editions 2017 Anthology of Speculative Fiction, eds. Cynthia Kraack and Steve McEllistrem (Minneapolis, MN: Calumet Editions, October 29, 2016), 43-47.

·      Charles Payseur highlighted “We Are Still Feeling” in “A Taster’s Guide to Speculative Short Fiction, 02/2017” on March 17, 2017. http://www.nerds-feather.com/2017/03/the-monthly-round-tasters-guide-to.html.

·      “We Are Still Feeling” was reviewed by Charles Payseur in Quick Sip Reviews on February 27, 2017. http://quicksipreviews.blogspot.com/2017/02/quick-sips-sockdolager-8-women-of-war.html.

·      “We Are Still Feeling” earned a Finalist ranking in the 2016 4th Quarter Writers of the Future Contest.

“So Normal and Unwritten,” (reprint), Iron Soap’s 200 CCs, October 7, 2016, http://ironsoap.com/2016/10/so-normal-and-unwritten/.

            Reviewed by Maria Haskins: This story of a haunted life and a haunted house is beautifully rich and evocative, and it’s the kind of story that worms its way deep inside you. Bovenmyer manages to tell the story, convey a mood, and create a place, with few words but a lot of skill. Terrific soul-piercing horror in one paragraph.”

“Like a Soul,” (reprint) in One Hundred Voices, ed. Destiny Rose (Centum Press Allegiant Publishing Group, October 1, 2016), 43-46. https://www.amazon.com/One-Hundred-Voices-Centum-Press/dp/1945737034/.

“What the Dollhouse Said,” (reprint) in Mocha’s Dark Brew: 10 Tales of Horror, ed. A. C. Thompson (Greensboro, NC: Mocha Memoirs Press, July 3, 2016), 33-36. https://www.createspace.com/6384605.

“On Rising One Snowy Evening,” (original) in Triangulation: Beneath the Surface, ed. Jamie Lackey (Pittsburgh, PA: Parsec Ink, July 19, 2016), 88-90. https://www.amazon.com/Triangulation-Beneath-Surface-Jamie-Lackey/dp/0982860684.

“Like a Soul,” (reprint), Wizards in Space Magazine, June 2016, http://wizardsinspacemag.bigcartel.com/product/wizards-in-space-literary-magazine-issue-01.

“The Scarlet Cloak,” (audio reprint), Gallery of Curiosities Podcast, May 14, 2016, https://gallerycurious.com/2016/05/14/ep-23-the-scarlet-cloak-by-karen-bovenmyer/.

2015

“The Scarlet Cloak,” (reprint) in Luna Station Quarterly 24, no.  (December 2015): 114-134 http://lunastationquarterly.com/story/the-scarlet-cloak/.

“So Normal and Unwritten,” (reprint) in Bosley Gravel’s Cavalcade of Terror, November 14, 2015, http://dreadfullittlepress.com/cavalcade/?p=1660.

“What the Dollhouse Said,” (reprint) in Evil Girlfriend Media Shorts, November 5, 2015, http://www.evilgirlfriendmedia.com/1143/news/what-the-dollhouse-said-by-karen-bovenmyer/.

“Scavengers,” (original) in Queer Science Fiction Discovery Anthology, ed. Angel Martinez, (Charleston, SC: Mischief Corner Books, July 2015), 190-191. http://www.mischiefcornerbooks.com/discovery-qsfs-second-annual-flash-ficiton-contest.html.

“The Scarlet Cloak,” (reprint) in Life After Ashes: A Charity Anthology. ed. Steven Saus (Dayton, OH: Alliteration Ink, March 1, 2015).

2014

“Something So Normal and Unwritten,” (original) in Festival Writer, August, 2014, http://www.festivalwriter.org/bovenmyer.

“What We’ve Lost, Sometimes,” (original) in CrossedGenres #19, July 2014, http://crossedgenres.com/magazine/019-what-weve-lost-sometimes/.

“The Red Red Rose,” (original) in RedRoseReview, July 1, 2014, http://roseredreview.org/2014- summer-karen-bovenmyer/.

“What the Dollhouse Said,” (original) in DevilfishReview, June 28, 2014, https://devilfishreview.com/issues/issue-ten/what-the-dollhouse-said-by-karen-bovenmyer/.

2013

“Like a Soul,” (original), StonecoastReview 1, no. 1 (Winter 2013): 37-41. https://issuu.com/stonecoastreview/docs/stonecoastreviewissue1/37.

“Failsafe,” (original) in The Crimson Pact Volume 5, ed. Paul Genesse (South Jordan, UT: Iron Dragon Press, August 2013), 359-413. https://www.amazon.com/The-Crimson-Pact-Volume-5/dp/0985003847.

·         “Failsafe” received 33 votes toward a Hugo Award nomination for Best Short Story (http://loncon3.org/hugos/2014%20Hugo%20awards%20full%20details.pdf) and was listed as an honorable mention by Ellen Datlow for 2013’s Best Horror of the Year (http://ellendatlow.com/honorable-mentions-from-2013-best-horror-6-including-those-not-in-the-print-book/).

·         Failsafe is reviewed by Assistant Professor Sara L. Uckelman (Durham University) at https://sffreviews.com/2018/02/21/review-failsafe-by-karen-bovenmyer/

2012

“The Scarlet Cloak,” (original) in The Crimson Pact Volume 3, ed. Paul Genesse. (Dayton, OH: Alliteration Ink, March 20, 2012), 387-412. https://alliterationink.com/tcp3?search=crimson%20pact.

2011

“Qin and Snake,” (original) in Pop Fic Review, eds. Erin M Underwood and Hannah Strom-Martin (Marblehead, MA: Underwords, December 7, 2011), 127-133. https://www.amazon.com/Pop-Fic-Review-Erin-Underwood/dp/0615543820.

2010

“Latte,” (original) in Bits & Pieces: A Collection of Short Stories and Poems from Central Iowa Authors. Ed. Shane Goodman, Cityview. (Des Moines: Big Green Umbrella Media, Inc. 2010), 23–25.

Publications: Poetry

2024

Menzel, Karen. “Little Bone Robot Boy,” (reprint). Giant Robot Poems: On Mecha-Human Science, Culture & War. Middle West Press LLC: July 2024.

Menzel, Karen. “The Blind Elephants of Io,” (reprint). Science Fiction and Fantasy Poetry Association Valentine’s Day Showcase. February 14, 2024.

2022

Menzel, Karen. “Kindness,” (original) Arcana: Knight of Swords. https://arcanamuc.art/story-2022

Pre-2022 publications are as Bovenmyer, Karen:

2021

“Death.” (original) Arcana: 13 Death. https://arcanamuc.art/story-2021

“When Change Comes,” (reprint) in The 2021 Rhysling Anthology: The best science-fiction, fantasy, and horror poetry of 2020 selected by the Science Fiction & Fantasy Poetry Association, ed. Alessandro Manzetti, (SFPA: April 2021), 12.

2020

“Degradable Mermaid,” (original) Space and Time Magazine, Winter 2020

“When Change Comes,” (original) Arcana: 12 The Hanged Man. https://arcanamuc.art/story2020

2019

“Dream Weaver,” (reprint) in The Skinny Poetry Anthology, ed. Truth Thomas, (Columbia, Maryland: Cherry Castle Publishing, 2019), 12.

“Filling a Kettle,” (original) Horror Writers AssociationStokerCon 2019 Anthology, May 2019.

2018

“Fire Lover,” (original) in Heroic Fantasy Quarterly, February 2018, http://ww.heroicfantasyquarterly.com/?p=2415.

·      “Fire Lover” was reviewed by Fletcher Vredenburgh in Black Gatehttps://www.blackgate.com/2018/03/27/march-short-story-roundup-part-1/

2017

“Save Our Souls,” (original) in Silver Blade Magazine 33, Winter 2017, http://www2.silverblade.net/2017/02/save-our-souls/.

·      “Save Our Souls” was nominated for a 2018 Rhysling award by members of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Poetry Association. http://www.sfpoetry.com/ra/rhyscand.html.

“Essential Elements for a Tea Party,” (original) in Dreams and Nightmares Magazine 107, September 2017, http://dreamsandnightmaresmagazine.com/.

“Pseudopod,” (reprint) in WereTraveler’s Mythos Planet issue, July 2017, https://theweretraveler.wordpress.com/2017/07/30/issue-20-the-mythos-planet/.

“The Blind Elephants of Io,” (reprint) in The 2017 Rhysling Award Anthology, ed. David C. Kopaska-Merkel (Lexington, KY: Science Fiction Poetry Association, March 3, 2017), 88-89.

“Syncing Minefields,” (original) in Strange Horizons, February 20, 2017, http://strangehorizons.com/poetry/syncing-minefields/.

·      “Syncing Minefields” was nominated for a 2018 Rhysling award by members of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Poetry Association. http://www.sfpoetry.com/ra/rhyscand.html.

·      “Syncing Minefields” was reviewed by Charles Payseur at Quick Sip Reviews on March 3, 2017. http://quicksipreviews.blogspot.com/2017/03/quick-sips-strange-horizons-02202017.html.

2016

“The Blind Elephants of Io,” (original) in Shortest Day, Longest Night: Stories and Poems from Solstice Shorts Festival, ed. Cherry Potts (London: Arachne Press, December 21, 2016), 55-57. https://arachnepress.com/books/shortest-day-longest-night/.

·      “The Blind Elephants of Io” was nominated for a Science Fiction Poetry Association 2017 Rhysling Award.https://specpo.wordpress.com/2017/04/09/2017-rhysling-poets-showcase-5/

·      British actress Patsy Prince read “The Blind Elephants of Io” aloud to the music that inspired it (Two Blind Elephants by Zac Gvirtzman) with sign language interpretations by Martin Fox-Roberts at the Solstice Shorts Festival in Greenwich, England on December 21, 2016. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9vHYXxNYNs&.

·      “The Blind Elephants of Io” earned a Long Form Honorable Mention in the 2016 Science Fiction Poetry Association Poetry Contest. http://sfpoetry.com/contests/16contest.html.

“Dream Weaver,” (original) in The Skinny Poetry Journal, July 4, 2016, https://theskinnypoetryjournal.wordpress.com/2016/07/05/dream-weaver-by-karen-bovenmyer/.

“Broken Tractor Sonnet,” (original) in Off the Coast Maine’s International Poetry Journal 22, no. 4 (2016), 11. http://www.off-the-coast.com/.

“Red State: Blue Heart,” (original) in The Skinny Poetry Journal, November 17, 2016, https://theskinnypoetryjournal.wordpress.com/2016/11/18/red-state-blue-heart-by-k-b/.

“Lady of Gold,” (original) in Remixt Magazine 1, no. 2 (September 12, 2016), https://remixtmag.wordpress.com/2016/09/12/volume-1-issue-2-edited-by-jennifer-stephan-kapral/.

“What Dolls Eat,” (reprint) in Dwarf Stars 2016: The Best Very Short Speculative Poems Published in 2015, eds. Lesley Wheeler and Jeannine Hall Gailey, (Newark, DE: Science Fiction Poetry Association, July 2016), 12. http://sfpoetry.com/ds/16dwarfstars.html.

“Effects of Moonlight,” (original) in Folk Horror Revival: Corpse Roads Horror Poetry Anthology, eds. Andy Paciorek and Katherine Beem, (Durham, United Kingdom: Wyrd Harvest Press, July 2, 2016), 450-451. http://www.lulu.com/shop/http://www.lulu.com/shop/folk-horror-revival/folk-horror-revival-corpse-roads/paperback/product-22788696.html.

“So Normal and Unwritten,” (reprinted as prose poem) in Folk Horror Revival: Corpse Roads Horror Poetry Anthology, eds. Andy Paciorek and Katherine Beem, (Durham, United Kingdom: Wyrd Harvest Press, July 2, 2016), 426. http://www.lulu.com/shop/http://www.lulu.com/shop/folk-horror-revival/folk-horror-revival-corpse-roads/paperback/product-22788696.html.

“NeverNever Holes,” (reprint) in Amore: Love Poems, ed. Johnny M. Tucker Jr., (Baltimore, DE: Imagination Press, June 24, 2016), 31-32. https://www.amazon.com/Amore-Mr-Johnny-Tucker-Jr/dp/1530684374/.

“Keep Hugo Stormed,” (original) in Eye to the Telescope Magazine #20, April 15, 2016, http://eyetothetelescope.com/archives/020issue.html.

2015

“Cadaver Feet,” (original) in My Cruel Invention: A Contemporary Poetry Anthology, ed. Bernadette Geyer, (Atlanta, GA: Meerkat Press, December 1, 2015), 103. http://meerkatpress.com/books/my-cruel-invention-a-contemporary-poetry-anthology/.

“Little Bone Robot Boy” (original) in My Cruel Invention: A Contemporary Poetry Anthology, ed. Bernadette Geyer, (Atlanta, GA: Meerkat Press, December 1, 2015), 35. http://meerkatpress.com/books/my-cruel-invention-a-contemporary-poetry-anthology/.

“What Dolls Eat,” (original), The Were-Traveler, June 2015. https://theweretraveler.wordpress.com/2015/06/28/what-dolls-eat-by-karen-bovenmyer/.

·      “What Dolls Eat” was nominated for a 2015 Dwarf Stars Award.

“Pseudopod,” (original) Abyss & Apex Magazine, June 2015, http://www.abyssapexzine.com/2015/06/pseudopod/.

2014

“NeverNever Holes,” (original), ZingaraPoet.com, April 10, 2014, https://zingarapoet.net/2014/04/10/nevernever-holes-by-karen-bovenmyer/.

Let’s create.

Professional fiction, game, and tie in writing at $.15 a word. Editing services at EFA rates. 3D design and small-batch print on demand at x2 materials cost. Share your project goals, timeline, and budget with me and expect a reply within 24 hours.