This spring has been a CRAZY one in terms of events, news, and pubs.  I usually do 1-2 blog posts a month, but there has been a ton of stuff going on, so I want to make sure my updates are timely.  Here's the latest news:

Publications:

It's been a while since the acceptance, but my story "Afterlife" has been published at On Spec!  I'm especially thrilled by this publication, since not only is On Spec a fabulous publication, but it's a double issue and my story is the first full-length one in the magazine.  It's a ghost story and a love story, but neither part of these themes are what you'd call "traditional" in the story.

And, in keeping with April poetry month, I had two poems published in The Mark Literary Review: "Two-Cat Town" and "Lucky Number Seven."  You can read them for free online HERE.

Acceptances:

They keep rolling in!  I am thrilled that my story "The Prototype" was picked up at Exoplanet Magazine, and should be published soon.  And my flash fiction story "Liquid" will be published at Quail Bell Magazine, a really beautiful online and print magazine.

Interviews:

I had a very fun interview at Rachel Michelle's website Free the Writer, which is a great site featuring writing tips, news, and other writerly-themed posts.

News:

I'm thrilled that the art for my book cover of science fiction short stories (coming out in 2020) has been finished!  The creator is Richard Ong, the same fabulous artist who did the cover for my latest book release, Enchantress of Books and other stories.  It's taken from a scene from my short story "The Prototype," which will be one of the stories featured in the collection.  The title of the painting is "Skyward Bound," which I love so much that I'm making it the title of the book: SKYWARD BOUND: SF SHORTS.  There will be more info about that later in the year, but for now, here's a sneak preview of Rich's amazing retro-SciFi-inspired artwork!

There is more news on the horizon, including local events in Connecticut where I'll be doing readings and workshops in the next couple months, plus more of my books coming out this summer and fall - so stay tuned!

And... my new fantasy book is out in print and eBook!!!

Enchantress of Books and other stories - over 200 pages and 19 great fantasy short stories to tide readers over until The Rose Queen sequel comes out later this year...
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The eBook is free on Kindle Unlimited - hope you enjoy reading it!

Perhaps I should write on my blog more often - or perhaps this has just been an eventful month - but LOTS of stuff has been going on lately, and I'm so excited to share all of it.

First off, in celebration of poetry month, the wonderful folks of the Poets' Salon (including me!) will be doing a poetry workshop/reading this upcoming Saturday, April 13th, from 1:30pm to about 4pm at our local Fairfield Library.  We'll read a bit of our poetry, have an open mic period, and also chat about what it takes to write and get your own poems published.  We will have great snacks and drinks to keep you fueled, too - so be sure to drop in for a nosh and a rhyme.  More info can be found HERE.  Hope to see you there!

Next, I've had a slew of writing acceptances and publications recently. I had two drabbles (100-word stories) accepted for the Dark Drabbles # 1 Anthology, coming out June 25th.  Speaking of coming out, my poem "lemures" was published at Plum Tree Tavern, and I also had my flash story "Ceasefire" published at The Ekphrastic Review. I actually read "Ceasefire" live down at KGB Bar in NYC this past Friday night.  (Thanks to everyone who braved the nasty weather to come out and read/listen to our stories!)

My friend and fellow writer Barbara Russell interviewed me and reviewed my novel The Rose Queen on her website - you can find her fabulous post HERE.  Another review came out today at Life of a Writer: Turn Another Page, and The Rose Queen got a glowing 4.5 out of 5 stars.  I'm so thrilled that my book is getting such rave reviews!

Speaking about feedback on writerly projects, When to Now: A Time Travel Anthology is raking in the awards and nominations.  The anthology overall won 1st place in the 2019 Connecticut Press Club Communications Contest in the editing category, and Gabi Coatsworth's story "Misconception" took first place in the same contest for the short story category. Leslie Burton-López's story "Baggage" made the Editors' Choice Fourth Quarterly Review at Bewildering Stories, and Elizabeth Chatsworth's story "Ten Minutes Past Teatime" is a finalist for the 2019 New England Readers' Choice Contest.

​Whew!  Some truly amazing stories and authors in the anthology and I am so happy that their stories are getting such good press.  I hope everyone gives the anthology a read - you won't be disappointed, since there's something for every reader.

Speaking of awards, the anthology AFTERMATH: Explorations of Loss and Grief, containing my poem "Assimilation," is a 2019 Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Award Finalist.  Congrats to the amazing publishers, Lantz Arroyo, Nicholas Hurd, and Sarah Lopez, who are getting such wonderful recognition for their debut publishing project!  They have a lot more exciting projects that have come out since then or are on the horizon, so be sure to check them out.

More exciting news coming soon!

The literary and humor writer Paul Beckman runs a monthly reading series the first Friday of every month in the Red Room (3rd floor) at KGB Bar in New York City.  I'll be returning on April 5th to take part in "F Bomb NY: Flash Fiction Reading Series," along with several other fabulous flash fiction writers.

​So stop by to hear some great stories and have a drink or two.  KGB Bar is located at 85 E 4th Street, and the event will take place from 7-9pm.  Hope to see you there!