J.K. Ullrich's Blog, page 5

Sex, Stories, and Sedition: The Non-Fictional Fallout of Overturning Roe vs. Wade

Cockatoos outside echoed my screams when I woke to news that the U.S. Supreme Court had overturned Roe vs. Wade. More than half of Americans believe abortion should be legal, but the 2016 presidential election proved that popular majority is no guarantee of political outcomes. Once again, well-funded reactionary agendas corrupted the system, this time … More Sex, Stories, and Sedition: The Non-Fictional Fallout of Overturning Roe vs. Wade

Sick of Climate Change: AMA (and Cli-Fi Writers) Declare Public Health Crisis

There’s less fiction than I thought in my upcoming novel about the health impact of climate change: yesterday the American Medical Association (AMA) declared climate change a public health crisis. “The scientific evidence is clear – our patients are already facing adverse health effects associated with climate change, from heat-related injuries, vector-borne diseases and air … More Sick of Climate Change: AMA (and Cli-Fi Writers) Declare Public Health Crisis

The Mystery of the Medical Muse, Solved (With A New Novel)!

This month marks four years since I released the omnibus edition of my Syzygy novella series. Although a book’s birthday makes me smile like a nostalgic parent, this particular milestone is bittersweet, because I haven’t published anything since. What kind of indie author goes that long without a new title on the market?! One with … More The Mystery of the Medical Muse, Solved (With A New Novel)!

The Tasmanian Tiger’s Trail, Part IV: Resilience

Last March I visited Tasmania, a long-awaited voyage to the home of my favorite childhood animal, the thylacine. Since the trip occurred before I rebooted this blog, I didn’t post about it in real-time. This month I’ll take you on an anniversary tour, posting a highlight from my ecological adventure every Sunday. Catch up on … More The Tasmanian Tiger’s Trail, Part IV: Resilience

The Tasmanian Tiger’s Trail, Pt III: Equality

Last March I visited Tasmania, a long-awaited voyage to the home of my favorite childhood animal, the thylacine. Since the trip occurred before I rebooted this blog, I didn’t post about it in real-time. This month I’ll take you on an anniversary tour, posting a highlight from my ecological adventure every Sunday. Catch up on … More The Tasmanian Tiger’s Trail, Pt III: Equality

The Tasmanian Tiger’s Trail, Pt II: Fragility

Last March I visited Tasmania, a long-awaited voyage to the home of my favorite childhood animal, the thylacine. Since the trip occurred before I rebooted this blog, I didn’t post about it in real-time. This month I’ll take you on an anniversary tour, posting a highlight from my ecological adventure every Sunday. Catch up on … More The Tasmanian Tiger’s Trail, Pt II: Fragility

The Tasmanian Tiger’s Trail, Pt I: Recreation

Last March I visited Tasmania, a long-awaited voyage to the home of my favorite childhood animal, the thylacine. Since the trip occurred before I rebooted this blog, I didn’t post about it in real-time. This month I’ll take you on an anniversary tour, posting a highlight from my ecological adventure every Sunday. Hit that follow … More The Tasmanian Tiger’s Trail, Pt I: Recreation

Peek-a-Boobook: Encountering Australia’s Smallest Owl

I am solar-powered. Dawn’s first glow draws me out of bed. I’ll run tirelessly while our central star traverses the sky, but my energy lowers with the light. Once darkness falls, my body goes into rest mode. It’s a physiological response I’ve never been able to reprogram (a brief stint on nightshift made me so physically … More Peek-a-Boobook: Encountering Australia’s Smallest Owl

The Stormbird’s Warning: Where Cuckoos and Climate Collide

Ko-wellll! Distinctive notes shimmer through the sleepy summer trees. Grabbing my hat and camera, I call to my laddie: “I’m going on koel patrol!” Despite my regular surveillance, I still haven’t managed a good picture of the pacific koel, an oceanic member of the cuckoo family. Their calls lead me on fruitless expeditions through the … More The Stormbird’s Warning: Where Cuckoos and Climate Collide

New Year’s Review: Wrapping Up 2021 & Spinning Stories in 2022

January 1, 2022: we woke to find a mildly venomous spider scuttling around the living room floor. Not the most auspicious omen for New Year’s Day, even in Australia! We were hoping for a break following the unexpected trials of 2021.  The year didn’t start off badly. After months of suitcase living in 2020, we … More New Year’s Review: Wrapping Up 2021 & Spinning Stories in 2022