Greetings, friends! Today, my short story “Of a Hawk and a Lighthouse” has been released on the podcast The Voice of Dog by Khaki!

In this story, an abandoned lighthouse on a lonely cliff receives an unexpected visitor. Her new friend helps the lighthouse shine again. But will it last?

You can listen to Khaki’s lovely reading of my story here: https://anchor.fm/the-voice-of-dog/episodes/Of-a-Hawk-and-a-Lighthouse-by-Amy-Clare-Fontaine-egeflv/a-a2l6r9b I hope it adds some light to your day!

On Father’s Day in 2018, we buried Daddy’s ashes, on a hill overlooking the sea. It was a sunny day, and Daddy loved the sun. Even on overcast days, he would hone in on the smallest patch of blue sky. And if he couldn’t find it, he would still express cheerful certainty that the sun would show its face again soon.

As a writer, I am painfully aware of the limits of words. How little they can hope to capture of a relationship that spanned a lifetime. My father’s gentle warmth, the wordless melodies he sang while doing the dishes or gliding about the house…these are not things I can share with you in words. Not really.

I miss my dad more than words could ever say. His love for God and his family, his compassion for the world’s people and creatures, his quiet strength and wise humility continue to inspire and drive me. I take courage in knowing that his love is still with us, like the sun on a rainy day. Though I no longer see him, I feel his embrace, carrying me through the storms of life.

My father’s love made me who I am today. When I wrote new stories, he had me print them out and put them in a binder so he could read and reflect on them. When I got accepted for wildlife jobs, sent to Kenya and Yellowstone and other far-flung places, he was always so happy and proud, delighted to see me chasing my dreams. He showed unending support for my efforts and great interest in my work. His intellectual curiosity, openness to adventure, and his zest for life, along with his patient trust in God and the goodness of the universe, are part of the rich legacy he’s gifted me.

If you are lucky enough to have a loving father figure in your life today, I encourage you to show that person how much they mean to you. If you are grieving today, whether from the death of a loved one or the pain caused by a broken or hurtful relationship, then I send you my deepest condolences and pray that you’ll find healing and consolation. In any case, I hope you’ll reach out today to the people in your life, father figures or otherwise, who’ve shown you support and encouragement and brightened your path. Life is too short to wallow in darkness. Do your best to find the sun.

The beautiful obituary my mother wrote about my father is here: https://lostcoastoutpost.com/2018/jun/24/obituary-norman-richard-fontaine-1924-2018/

Ahoy, friends! Tonight I submitted to my first ever game jam, an itch.io jam hosted by NarraScope 2020. My submission is a short text-based game titled Animal Sighting Simulator.

As a disillusioned urbanite in a world where most animals are extinct,  your only consolation is a gaming system that simulates nature.  But thanks to your artistic vision, that’s about to change. Pick your creatures and your creative medium and make your dreams come true.

You can play Animal Sighting Simulator for free on itch.io here: https://fontainepen.itch.io/animal-sighting-simulator

I hope you will enjoy it!

“Animal Attributes in Furry Writing” has been published in From Paw to Print by Thurston Howl Publications! This essay I wrote discusses zoological topics writers might consider when crafting anthropomorphic animal characters. As both a wildlife biologist and an author, I’m thrilled to share my thoughts about this subject with you! Proceeds for the anthology go to the Furry Writers’ Guild.

Hi, friends! Last year, I entered the Interactive Fiction Competition with a Twine game titled Break Stuff. My game took 29th place, which earned me a cash prize, part of which I donated to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and RAINN, as well as a Steam key for a lovely game called Heaven’s Vault.

It was recently brought to my attention that Break Stuff is no longer playable on the IFComp website, so I have uploaded it to itch.io: https://fontainepen.itch.io/break-stuff

In Break Stuff, you make decisions for a troubled young woman who just broke up with her boyfriend. When your old friend from high school comes over, she invites you to vent your negative feelings by breaking stuff. Who could resist?

Break Stuff is an exploration of depression, lost love, feminism, growing up, and the brokenness that makes us human. Please read the CONTENT WARNINGS on itch.io before deciding whether to play it.

I am grateful to all the people who reached out to tell me this game made a positive difference to them. You’re the reason I create things, even when it’s hard. Thank you.