P.A. Cornell (She/Her) (@cornellwriter)

P.A. Cornell (She/Her)@cornellwriter· 29d

Find out more about my books SHOESHINE BOY & CIGARETTE GIRL and THE ASTRONAUT AMONG THE FLOWERS on my website’s Books page: www.pacornell.com/books.html (Find order links too!) @starsandsabers.bsky.social

P.A. Cornell (She/Her)@cornellwriter· 29d

Now that the cover has been revealed, I'd like to take a moment to thank @jonathanmaberry.bsky.social for writing an introduction to my collection that made me tear up. I can't tell you what this means to me. Read Jonathan's introduction here: www.pacornell.com/astronaut-in...

P.A. Cornell (She/Her)@cornellwriter· Jul 12

Disappointing to see fellow authors & other long-established people in the arts embrace AI. I’ve had this on my website for a long time now and I stand by it. I think of it as a pledge to my readers, to my fellow creatives, and to myself. People here probably know where I stand but just in case:

Statement on Generative Al:
While the tech industry is currently touting Al as the greatest
advancement in recent years, I'd like to make my position clear. I feel that
generative Al, in its current form, is detrimental on multiple levels. It has
been particularly harmful for the arts, as it has been trained on stolen
intellectual property (including mine) and disrupts the proper functioning
of various art industries. It has also already cost many human creators (as well as tangential professions) their livelihoods. Not to mention the fact that its use is exceedingly damaging to the environment. I would like to give readers my personal guarantee that I have never (and will never
knowingly) use Al as part of my writing process in any capacity. Nor will I
ever use it in the promotion of my work, or other writing-related tasks. In
fact, I don't use it at all, for any reason. Furthermore, I support my fellow
creatives in that, to the best of my ability, I have worked to ensure that
my stories aren't accompanied by Al-generated art, or read by non-
human audio narrators. Please join me in supporting human creatives.

P.A. Cornell (She/Her)@cornellwriter· Jul 11

If you missed my cover reveal yesterday, here it is again with some words I had about the artist. Pre-orders are now open for this book. Some links provided on the linked page but you can get it wherever you buy your books. www.starsandsabers.com/books/the-as...

Cover art for P.A. Cornell's collection, THE ASTRONAUT AMONG THE FLOWERS AND OTHER STORIES. Shows a pink and purple sky over which is the title in white font with the subtitle in purple. Under this an astronaut in a white space suit lies in a field of purple flowers. At the bottom is the author's name in white, under which it says: Nebula, World Fantasy, and Aurora Award Finalist.

White words on purple background:
This stunning cover was created by award-winning Chilean illustrator, and president of ADIPChile (The Chilean Association for Professional Illustrators), Loreto Salinas Retamal. Known for her vivid and distinctive nature-inspired works, many of which have been published in her own books, including ANIMALES CHILENOS, REINO FUNGI, and ANIMALES AMERICANOS, among others, it is my honor to have her art grace the cover of my debut short fiction collection, THE ASTRONAUT AMONG THE FLOWERS AND OTHER STORIES.

Loreto and I have known each other for many years, and I’ve long dreamed of having her illustrate one of my book covers. It’s a thrill to finally see that dream become reality. I hope you love this work of art as much as I do.

P.A. Cornell (She/Her)@cornellwriter· Jul 10

Now that SHOESHINE BOY & CIGARETTE GIRL is out in the world, I thought I'd share some of the things readers have been saying. Get your copy: www.starsandsabers.com/books/shoesh... @starsandsabers.bsky.social

Image shows a retro-style background of rockets launching next to the cover of SHOESHINE BOY & CIGARETTE GIRL. Under the words "What readers are saying..." there's a quote that reads: "Cornell has included a lengthy afterword about her process in writing the story, which I found fascinating."

P.A. Cornell (She/Her)@cornellwriter· Jul 10

Hey, I was just there!

P.A. Cornell standing in front of Georges Seurat‘s “A Sunday on La Grande Jatte” at The Art Institute of Chicago.

P.A. Cornell (She/Her)@cornellwriter· Jul 9

Now that SHOESHINE BOY & CIGARETTE GIRL is out in the world, I thought I'd share some of the things readers have been saying. Get your copy: www.starsandsabers.com/books/shoesh... @starsandsabers.bsky.social

P.A. Cornell (She/Her)@cornellwriter· Jul 2

Here’s what’s next from me! In the mean time you can find everything I’ve published so far here: www.pacornell.com/short-fictio.... Plus all my 2026 free reads (so far) threaded below.

Image of a beach with an umbrella with text overlayed that reads:
Book:
• The Astronaut Among the Flowers and Other Stories (SFF) - Stars and Sabers Publishing.
Original Short Fiction:
"A Vessel to Be Filled; A Fire to Be Kindled"
(SF) in Tome & Space.
"A Game of Go" (SF) in Adventitious.
"The Devil in the Desert" (H) in Folklore Horror
Flame Tree Publishing.
Reprint Short Fiction:
"A World Unto Myself" (SF) in Wired Hearts.
"After the Suns Go Down" (SF/H) in Penumbric.
"Through the Machine" (SF) in Year's Best Canadian Fantasy & Science Fiction, Vol. 4-Ansible Press.

P.A. Cornell (She/Her)@cornellwriter· Jul 1

Ah summer. At least today I get to swim in my in-laws’ pool.

34 degrees celsius. Mainly sunny. Feels like 47 degrees celsius.

P.A. Cornell (She/Her)@cornellwriter· Jul 1

Now that SHOESHINE BOY & CIGARETTE GIRL is out in the world, I thought I'd share some of the things readers have been saying. Get your copy: www.starsandsabers.com/books/shoesh... @starsandsabers.bsky.social

P.A. Cornell (She/Her)@cornellwriter· Jun 30

Now that SHOESHINE BOY & CIGARETTE GIRL is out in the world, I thought I'd share some of the things readers have been saying. Get your copy: www.starsandsabers.com/books/shoesh... @starsandsabers.bsky.social

P.A. Cornell (She/Her)@cornellwriter· Jun 30

Days like this I wish I had a pool. (For the USians that’s 89.6 F - feels like 111.2 F)

Image shows weather forecast as 32°C, mainly sunny, feels like 44°C.

P.A. Cornell (She/Her)@cornellwriter· Jun 24

Now that SHOESHINE BOY & CIGARETTE GIRL is out in the world, I thought I'd share some of the things readers have been saying. Get your copy: www.starsandsabers.com/books/shoesh... @starsandsabers.bsky.social

P.A. Cornell (She/Her)@cornellwriter· Jun 23

Now that SHOESHINE BOY & CIGARETTE GIRL is out in the world, I thought I'd share some of the things readers have been saying. Get your copy: www.starsandsabers.com/books/shoesh... @starsandsabers.bsky.social

P.A. Cornell (She/Her)@cornellwriter· Jun 21

#FictionFest was created because the world needs more #Canadian books! Today is DAY 1 of our two-week event & we have *so many* FREE livestreams for book lovers. Find our full schedule at FictionFest.ca/events & tune in to our author readings, panel discussions, & genre conversations on YouTube! 💙📚

Blue background with a moose on the right saying “Fiction Fest has so many awesome Canadian books and authors! Check it out today!” On the right is the cover for P.A. Cornell’s SHOESHINE BOY & CIGARETTE GIRL.

Top half of image shows that on June 22 at 1:30 pm EST P.A. Cornell will be reading an excerpt from her novelette SHOESHINE BOY & CIGARETTE GIRL. Bottom half shows that she will be participating in a panel called EXPLORING THE UNKNOWN IN SCIENCE FICTION June 22 at 7:30 pm EST.

P.A. Cornell (She/Her)@cornellwriter· Jun 15

Now that SHOESHINE BOY & CIGARETTE GIRL is out in the world, I thought I'd share some of the things readers have been saying. Get your copy: www.starsandsabers.com/books/shoesh... @starsandsabers.bsky.social

P.A. Cornell (She/Her)@cornellwriter· Jun 11

Now that SHOESHINE BOY & CIGARETTE GIRL is out in the world, I thought I'd share some of the things readers have been saying. Get your copy: www.starsandsabers.com/books/shoesh... @starsandsabers.bsky.social

P.A. Cornell (She/Her)@cornellwriter· Jun 10

While the poets had us outnumbered, short fiction was not without proper representation. (Pic courtesy of @jrdawson.bsky.social) Also massive congrats to Jen on being a Sturgeon finalist with “Six People to Revise You.”

J.R. Dawson and P.A. Cornell looking fabulous for the Nebula Awards. J.R. wears a beautiful ombre dress in purple hues with matching converse sneakers that have rainbow laces. P.A. wears a floor-length red gown in a rose pattern and is wearing black doc marten boots that also have roses on them.

P.A. Cornell (She/Her)@cornellwriter· Jun 9

Now that SHOESHINE BOY & CIGARETTE GIRL is out in the world, I thought I'd share some of the things readers have been saying. Get your copy: www.starsandsabers.com/books/shoesh... @starsandsabers.bsky.social

P.A. Cornell (She/Her)@cornellwriter· Jun 9

All the fiction and it’s all #Canadian! Check out this virtual #BookFair featuring authors from all across the country at FictionFest.ca (I’m in it!) 🍁🦫📚

A yellow polka dot background with a red fox looking out at the reader in the foreground. Black text lists the dates for Fiction Fest: June 21 to July 4, and a cartoon-style talk bubble has the fox saying: “Mystery, fantasy, sci-fi, horror and more! Check out our all-Canadian online fiction festival!”

P.A. Cornell (She/Her)@cornellwriter· Jun 7

Pre-Nebulas chilling in my Docs. Thank you @drmartens-official.bsky.social for a comfy and stylish evening.

P.A. Cornell and her Nebula fit: red floor length ball gown with rose pattern. Black Dr. Martens boots with roses on them. The author is relaxing on her hotel room couch.

P.A. Cornell (She/Her)@cornellwriter· Jun 7

The tables at the Nebs were adorned with quotes from all the finalist works. Here’s the one from “Through the Machine.” Many thanks to everyone who nominated and voted for my story.

Wooden plaque with quotes from “Through the Machine” by P.A. Cornell. It reads:

“You start out this average person. just trying to make it as an actor. then as your success grows, more and more people come into your life to turn you into something else. A movie star. A fairy tale ideal of celebrity perfection.™

P.A. Cornell (She/Her)@cornellwriter· Jun 5

If you’re at the Nebs I just signed a bunch of copies of SHOESHINE BOY & CIGARETTE GIRL. If you already bought one I’ll still be happy to sign it at the finalist signing tonight. Or just come by to say hi.

Copies of SHOESHINE BOY & CIGARETTE GIRL by P.A. Cornell at the Book Depot.

Signed copy of SHOESHINE BOY & CIGARETTE GIRL by P.A. Cornell.

P.A. Cornell (She/Her)@cornellwriter· Jun 5

Relevant to this, super proud of my city today. We fought the datacenter and won! Maybe @mark-carney.bsky.social should pay attention to what Canadian actually want.

Image shows a protest in Hamilton, Ontario over the caption: Hamilton committee denies Slate request after anti-data-centre protest erupts
Hundreds packed city hall and thousands weighed in before a vote on
Steelport lands. Source: Hamilton Spectator.

P.A. Cornell (She/Her)@cornellwriter· Jun 1

New review from the great Maria Haskins in this month’s Locus. Read my story “Time Management” at Lightspeed Magazine. www.lightspeedmagazine.com/fiction/time...

Cover of Locus Magazine’s June issue next to a review that reads:
Recommended Stories
"Time Management", P.A. Cornell (Lightspeed 4/26)
-Maria Haskins
For a delightful pick-me-up, Lightspeed brings "Time Management" by P.A. Cornell, where Gwen wakes up one morning with the ability to manipulate time. She realizes that she has this new power during a morning conversation with her brother Kyle, who she talks to using ASL, and the "ASL for 'story' was so similar to the pulling motion necessary to stretch time." Gwen aims to use her ability to make good moments last and bad moments pass more quickly, and the story has a gentle, life-affirming warmth to it that feels wonderfully healing.

P.A. Cornell (She/Her)@cornellwriter· Jun 1

There will be #swag! If you’re going to the Nebulas this week, I’ll have some SWAG with me to give away during my post-panel meet & greet and the finalist signing. My book will also be sold at the conference. First come, first served while quantities last. @starsandsabers.bsky.social

Image of SHOESHINE BOY & CIGARETTE GIRL SWAG includING: postcards, bookplates, 2 kinds of rocket stickers, bookmarks, 2 kinds of cover stickers, and cover magnets.

P.A. Cornell (She/Her)@cornellwriter· Jun 1

Now that SHOESHINE BOY & CIGARETTE GIRL is out in the world, I thought I'd share some of the things readers have been saying. Get your copy: www.starsandsabers.com/books/shoesh... @starsandsabers.bsky.social

P.A. Cornell (She/Her)@cornellwriter· Jun 1

Thank you @cjtavares.bsky.social for shouting out “Expendable Me” in your newsletter this month. If you missed this story you can red it (and even comment) at @gavagai.com. gavagai.com/posts/5141

Image shows two identical female faces one eyes closed, the other open. Under this it reads “Expendable Me” by P.A. Cornell. And under the title Tavares writes: P.A., if you keep hitting me in the feels like this, I am going to have to send you the bill for my cardiologist. Phenomenal work by Cornell, as per usual. I love Cornell’s sci-fi so much because she uses tech and science to wrestle with questions pertaining to the body and soul. Her stories remain firmly rooted in the core of humanity, the existence we all share. This story, “A World Unto Myself”, “Decorative”, “The Procedure”—so much of Cornell’s work blurs the line between the organic and inorganic, science and self, and it is truly spectacular to sit with her stories and let them make you think.

P.A. Cornell (She/Her)@cornellwriter· May 26

Now that SHOESHINE BOY & CIGARETTE GIRL is out in the world, I thought I'd share some of the things readers have been saying. Get your copy: www.starsandsabers.com/books/shoesh... @starsandsabers.bsky.social

P.A. Cornell (She/Her)@cornellwriter· May 25

For those who'll be at the Nebula Conference this year, here's where you'll find me: