We Pennies are very excited about the Brave New Girls anthology because one of our own, Halli Gomez, contributed a short story to this year’s edition. Halli’s here to talk about the anthology and her story today!

Publisher’s Description

Welcome to the sci-fi worlds of brainy teen heroines who hack not just computers, but whatever puzzles come their way. A scrappy mechanic on an oppressed planet builds a device she hopes will be her ticket to a better future. A fledgling chemist uses her skills to catch a murderer. A teen inventor creates a weapon to battle the mysterious beasts attacking her city. A superhero-in-training puts her skills to the test when attackers strike her compound. A self-styled detective hacks an augmented reality game to solve a dastardly crime. Girls who code, explore, fix robots, pilot starships, invent gadgets, build high-tech treehouses, and more. With tales ranging from space adventures to steampunk to cyberpunk and more this 23-story collection will delight, thrill, and enthrall.

Proceeds from sales of this anthology will be donated to a scholarship fund through the Society of Women Engineers. Let’s show today’s girls that they, too, can be tomorrow’s inventors, programmers, scientists, and more.

Halli, thanks for talking to us about Brave New Girls! My first question is about short stories versus novels – do you think of a short story as a miniature version of a novel, or as something completely different? Do you take a different approach to writing short stories?

That’s a great question. All stories, long and short, have the same characteristics – character development, plot, conflict, setting, and emotion. Just to name a few. The difference is for a short story, everything is on a smaller (shorter) scale. For example, the setting is not as detailed as it is in a novel. It’s also a give and take. If you have more internal dialogue, you will have to shorten something else.

When you’re picking a new project, how do short stories fit into your writing portfolio?

I like short stories as a transition from the months, years, spent on a novel. They keep me productive and deep into the craft without committing myself to something long term.

What was the spark that inspired the story you wrote for this anthology?

Bravery? I had recently completed and submitted an #ownvoices young adult novel about Tourette syndrome. After – ahem – 40 years, I finally felt comfortable putting my disorder out there for everyone to see. I was feeling brave and wanted it to keep going.

That was brave! We had been exchanging critiques for years before I knew you suffered from TS. Did you write the story specifically for this anthology or did you have one that fit their theme?

I wrote the story for this anthology. I’d read the previous anthologies and loved them. 

What made you excited about writing for this anthology?

There are so many wonderful things about these anthologies. First, they include some amazing and creative writers and illustrators and I wanted to be a part of that. Second, all the main characters are girls who use their brains to solve problems. My two careers, before becoming a writer, were in male-dominated fields. Try being five-foot-tall woman demanding to be heard in a sea of men. Stories like these show girls they can accomplish anything. And last, the Brave New Girls anthologies support the Society of Women Engineers scholarship fund, helping girls accomplish anything.

Great reasons to contribute to the anthology! Now, tell us about your story.

It’s all about Tourette’s, tech, and teens. Sixteen-year-old Gemma Jones has a passion for science and inventing. She also has Tourette syndrome. It’s her desire to control her Tourette’s tics that leads to her to create the greatest invention ever. But it’s the experiment she’s subjected to that gives her a new perspective on life.

Interesting! I can’t wait to read! Tell us about some of your other favorite stories from the anthology.

I haven’t read any from this anthology yet, but three of my favorite stories are from the second anthology. The Case of the Missing Sherlock by Mary Fan, a futuristic take on Sherlock Holmes. Chasing the Copper Dragon by Karissa Laurel, a mystery of theft and murder solved using science and engineering. In a Whole New Light by our very own Michelle Leonard, a story about racism and a biracial teen who uses her brain and science to change the thoughts of others.

Thanks, Halli!

Brave New Girls: Tales of Heroines Who Hack will be released on July 5th. Add it to your Goodreads TBR ! Call your local bookstore to purchase a copy or purchase it from online retailers Barnes & Noble or Amazon.

Halli Gomez teaches martial arts and writes for children and young adults because those voices flow through her brain. She enjoys family, outdoors, reading, and is addicted to superhero movies. She’s represented by Deborah Warren of East West Literary Agency. You can find Halli on Twitter.