P.A. Cornell (She/Her)

@cornellwriter.bsky.social

13520 Followers 5627 Following

2x Nebula finalist. Aurora, and World Fantasy-finalist. Chilean-Canadian writer. Winner Short Works Prize. SFWA, CSFFA, ALCiFF Chile. Odyssey ’02. Codex. Stories in Apex, Fantasy, Lightspeed, and others. Linktree: http://linktr.ee/pacornell

Cover for THE ASTRONAUT AMONG THE FLOWERS AND OTHER STORIES by P.A. Cornell. Image shows an astronaut in a white spacesuit lying in purple flowers under and pink and purple sky. The title appears at the top in white text. At the bottom, also in white text, is the author’s name under which it reads: Nebula, World Fantasy, and Aurora Award Finalist.
Weather forecast for Hamilton showing 33 degrees celsius - feels like 44.
Dark background with white text that reads: The Worlds of P.A. Cornell. Below this are the covers for Cornell’s books SHOESHINE BOY & CIGARETTE GIRL and THE ASTRONAUT AMONG THE FLOWERS. Under this is the Stars and Sabers Publishing logo.
Image shows the cover of P.A. Cornell's THE ASTRONAUT AMONG THE FLOWERS AND OTHER STORIES (an astronaut in a white spacesuit lying among purple flowers under a purple and pink sky) and next to this the back cover blurb for the book which reads: This debut collection by Nebula-nominated author P.A. Cornell brings together twenty-one tales of fantasy and science fiction that run the gamut from lighthearted to dark. The stories examine our connections to each other, to technology, to the world that surrounds us, and even to ourselves. Journey through circumstances that defy explanation, and explore events yet to come, that have come before, or that exist outside of time altogether. Included are Cornell’s acclaimed story “Once Upon a Time at The Oakmont,” as well as the award-winning “Splits,” and two brand new works published here for the first time. *With an introduction by New York Times Bestselling Author, Jonathan Maberry.
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.
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.
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 standing in front of Georges Seurat‘s “A Sunday on La Grande Jatte” at The Art Institute of Chicago.
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: "Entertaining, very cool vibes, and really sweet characters with a good villain in a novelette you can read in a sitting. And CanLit to boot."
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.
34 degrees celsius. Mainly sunny. Feels like 47 degrees celsius.
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: "A mischievous, big-hearted sci-fi love story that gleams like a retro-futuristic rocketship."
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: "It was an enjoyable read; reminded me a little of cyberpunk but with a happier ending."
Image shows weather forecast as 32°C, mainly sunny, feels like 44°C.
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: "This quaint little story had me falling in love with everything about the world, especially the love story between our two main characters."
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: "Shoeshine Boy & Cigarette Girl will leave you smiling and wishing for more happy endings."
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.
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: "A fun and ultimately uplifting story for anyone looking for a sweet romantic fable."
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: "The story is simple but the narration is mind-blowing. Packed with romance, action, and plenty of drama."
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.
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: "A heartwarming tale of two young dreamers. I found myself rooting for gullible but well-intentioned Shoeshine Boy and worldly, good-hearted Cigarette Girl."
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 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.
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.™
Copies of SHOESHINE BOY & CIGARETTE GIRL by P.A. Cornell at the Book Depot.
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.
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.
Image of SHOESHINE BOY & CIGARETTE GIRL SWAG includING: postcards, bookplates, 2 kinds of rocket stickers, bookmarks, 2 kinds of cover stickers, and cover magnets.
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: "A retrofuture fable that endears and inspires in equal measure, highlighted by its detailed prose and heartfelt characters."
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.
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: Tells a straightforward story in a delightful way. I enjoyed the fairy-tale feel."
Nebula Conference Banner image below which is a purple background with white text that reads: *All times in local, Chicago, time. June 5 • 6 pm - Nebula finalist reception • 8 pm - Nebula finalists and VIP autographing session June 6 • 1 pm - Panel: Worldbuilding in General Short Fiction and Middle Grade Fiction: How Is It Different? • 2 pm - Panelist Meet & Greet • 6 pm - Nebula Awards Reception • 7 pm - Nebula Awards Banquet Dinner • 8 pm - Nebula Awards Ceremony
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: "I really enjoyed this mashup of retro and futuristic. What a cool atmosphere!"
A green polka dot background with a large polar bear in the foreground. A cartoon-style talk bubble has the bear saying: “You can sign up for a reminder and we’ll send you an email when the event starts!” Text to the left of the bear says: “Do you love reading Canadian fiction? Our all-Canadian showcase event starts on June 21st!”
A black square image with contrasting red and white text. In the bottom right hand corner is the maple leaf and open book logo for Fiction Fest. Stacked text in the top right reads: “This. Is. BIG. June 21-July 4. FictionFest.ca” Below that is a 3-item bulleted list describing the Fiction Fest events that says: “1. book showcase with all the fiction sub-genres and a range of target ages; 2. author gallery you can filter by province; 3. register for FREE author readings and discussion panels.” In the top right corner, above the logo, white text reads: “Join authors from all across the country in celebrating CanLit with an online book fair!”
A black square image with contrasting red text and an image of a open book, taken end-on, with the pages splayed open so it looks as though someone is flipping through them. Red maple leaf images are arranged to look like they are spilling out of the book. Text in the top left corner reads: “Something BIG is happening! FictionFest.ca”
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: "Shoeshine Boy & Cigarette Girl was a really pleasant surprise and an easy, cozy read. The pacing is pretty spot-on for a novelette."
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: "There's an awful lot to like about this novelette. The mix of throwback with future was a delicious blend."
Image shows that the author reading that includes P.A. Cornell will take place June 22 at 1:30 pm EDT. The panel she will be on is also June 22, but at 7:30 pm EDT.
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: "This was a cozy, warming little read. Would definitely recommend."
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: "This was really punchy, cozy and atmospheric. I love the Toronto-but-not-quite setting and the fairytalesque writing."
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: "The author creates palpable tension in just a few pages and I was stressing hard!! It was really technically fantastic and riveting."
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: "Cute, fast, and dripping in retro-futuristic noir vibes, this novelette felt like stylish book junk food--fun and romantic."
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: "A hard-won romance that means it; the hope and commitment we need right now."
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: "A nice mix of 40's true crime and retro-futurism. Made me smile repeatedly. A good beach read for SF and F fans."
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: "Like a fairy tale told around a campfire. Watching Cigarette Girl sort out the mess Shoeshine Boy gets them into is so much fun!"
Image shows a copy of P.A. Cornell’s SHOESHINE BOY & CIGARETTE GIRL with the author’s two cats: Rebel and Jax. Jax, at top right, is a tuxedo cat. Rebel, bottom left, is white with a greyish-black striped pattern.
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: "A disarming retrofuture romance full of moxie, gumption, and well-deserved comeuppances."
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: "So many things about this book just worked so well. I loved how the story broke down almost like comic issues. Had me pulled in from start to finish."
Light grey hoodie featuring Lowly Worm from the Busy Town books. Lowly is riding a skateboard in front of a fire hydrant.
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: "In this zingy and charming story, you can't help but fall in love with Cigarette Girl and Shoeshine Boy."
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: "The ending was satisfying and sweet. Rooting for the main characters really had a great payoff."
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: "A charming story full of atmosphere. It combines retro charm with a splash of sci-fi."
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: "Feels like a 30s film with a dash of sci fi vibe to it. I liked the behind the scenes the author included."
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: "The writing is filled with vivid descriptions that make the story pop right off the page."
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.
Cover of Shoeshine Boy & Cigarette Girl by P.A. Cornell with a blurred background.
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: "Set in a retro-futuristic Toronto that had me begging for more of the world."
andyparkart Marvel Studios Visual Development: 2010-2026 It's the end of an era. I was there at the beginning of a unique team that broke the mold of Hollywood and helped a studio gross over $30 billion. I've been here for over 16 years, spanning over 40 films and shows, 15 of which I led as Director of Visual Development/ Visual Development Supervisor. I got to lead, work with, and hire the best artists in the entertainment business. It has been the honor of a lifetime to be part of the team that helped create the visual language of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. I couldn't be prouder to have been part of the entire history of this department. As I wrap up my final months here, I'm looking forward to the creative freedom of a fresh start. I'm eager to bring my perspective and leadership to new challenges. To those I've worked with before, and those I've yet to meet: I'm looking forward to the conversations ahead. Andy Park
Purple background with stars and the Chicago skyline over which is the SFWA logo. Text reads: See you in Chicago to celebrate all our lates stars! 61st Nebula Awards Conference June 3-7 Crowne Plaza Chicago O’Hare Hotel & Conference Center. sfwa.org/nebula-conference.