Sheri Yutzy - Speculative Fiction Author

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F O U N D – #flashfictionmagic

July 2, 2020 by Sheri

“Orland found her in the Outback Rocks.”

The words always burrowed under Annie’s skin like poisoned roots.

Tanner Village spread below her, a handful of humped houses and a blacksmith’s forge. What origin could they boast?

Her thoughts sank the closer she came. Her produce basket cut into her elbow. If she and Orland could live without the villagers’ business, they would. But a garden couldn’t produce oil or clothes for winter, which already chilled the air.

“Gone.” Lee Smith stormed from the forge, hammer clenched. “Someone’s taken my silver.” His voice rose to a shout. Murmuring villagers stepped out of doorways.

“Settle down there, Lee.” Timmons Ard held out his hands. “Could be lost.”

“I counted it not an hour ago.” He gestured back with his hammer. “Went into the back to get more wood, left the front open. When I looked again, my chest was empty.”

“Did you lock it?” Missus Allen called.

“Lock it every time.” He spun to take in the whole crowd. “Now which of you was it?”

Annie shrank back, but his gaze landed on her. “You. You’re from the Outback, you know your way around silver.”

“I just arrived.” She shook her basket. “I had no time for stealing.”

“Likely.” He studied her basket. “Let’s see that emptied out.”

Annie took a slow breath. “Before I do, show us your chest.”

He scowled. “I’m not letting anyone—”

“Let’s see it, Lee.” Timmons strode toward the forge. “You’re the one belching about it. We need proof it’s gone.”

Lee sputtered, but stepped inside and opened the chest.

Annie squinted at the base. She kicked it, forgetting the pain at the rattle of coins. She tapped the corner. The false base flipped open, revealing a layer of silver.

“Is this what you’re looking for?”

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About Sheri

Here Goes Something New!

Hi, I'm Sheri Yutzy. I love forests under the night sky, trying new foods, and drinking Irish tea.
I'm married to a musician who looks good in black, mama to two toddlers who love to eat, and happy resident of a Cape Cod cottage in Ohio.
I write YA fantasy and am acquisitions editor at sparkflashfiction.com.
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One thing I love about Ohio yards: no matter where One thing I love about Ohio yards: no matter where I go, I can always find a little patch of whimsical greenery somewhere that whispers spring is here. My yard right now is strewn with little branches and dried plants from the flowerbeds and old, brown leaves. But soon the grass will grow tall and we’ll gather the branches and everything will be lush and green again.
Fairy tales always seem like a spring thing. The curses end in spring, the eggs hatch in spring, the weddings happen in spring. But I love to see the magic woven into each season, each so different, preparing the earth for the next phase.

What whimsically green corners have you found this week?

#whimsicalwednesday #sheriyutzy #whimsicalgreen #whimsicalcottage #whimsicalspring #whimsicalgarden #yafantasyauthor #hanschristianandersen #bestlovedfairytales #fairytales #springfairytale #magicalspring #magicalcottage #booksoutside #slowliving #changingseasons #marchgreens
🌿✨🌿 Enough words in the world Enough bulbs 🌿✨🌿
Enough words in the world
Enough bulbs budding 
And stretching their hearty arms
Like solid poems, fragrant poems
The world outside is living poetry.
🌿✨🌿

#twentywordtuesday #poetsofinstagram #springpoetry #ednastvincentmillay #springinthegarden #poetryoutside #moodycottage #sheriyutzy #shortpoems
Mondays do odd things for me as an introvert. (By Mondays do odd things for me as an introvert. (By introvert I mean I need solitude to recharge.) 
🌿🌿🌿
Here’s what I mean. By the end of every week I’m ready to see my people, engage in my church community. And by the end of Sunday? I’m ready to be alone again. My kids usually are too, so they spend Monday playing pretend together and I lurk around catching up on housework, reading a book, and gazing out the window, enjoying my own inner silence. (It’s not super silent outside of me, but that’s okay.)
Monday is just lovely, because I’m filled up and rich with community, and I have a whole day to be home and ponder that fullness.
Yes, sometimes I want to be with adults after hearing children chatter all day, but most of the time their conversation is refreshing.

How do you find Mondays? Do you like to get started on the week, or would you like to stay in the weekend?
The wisteria is budding, and will soon be spreadin The wisteria is budding, and will soon be spreading its sunshine across the yard. Our bush was here when we moved and I’ve been so grateful for it. It blooms so early, the brightest thing around.
This weekend was a bit crazy. I did some new things, like make meatballs for a crowd, and juggle three Airbnb guests’ requests at once, and change a car key battery while away from home (thank God for the extra battery in the glove box) but here I am at Sunday afternoon, my time to take a look at the week before, and everything worked out.
I know it doesn’t always, but for today, I am grateful.

What made you grateful this weekend?

#wisteria #buddingwisteria #sheriyutzy #gratefulsunday #kingdomofashandbriars #hannahwest #yafantasyauthor #booksoutside #slowliving #gratefulliving #moodycottage #cottagegarden #intentionalliving #gratefulthoughts #springtimeblooms #timeforspring
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