February News

I have a lot of great news to share for February. First, I have two upcoming shows—if you can’t tune in live, they will both be posted to watch later. 

Monday, March 7, at 7 pm CST, I will be the featured poet on the Jojo Show, a new poetry series hosted by poet John Compton. Watch my social media channels for further info as I have it.  

Tuesday, April 5, at 6 pm CST, SpoFest featured reader, in which I will be talking fiction. I plan to read excerpts from the Order of the Four Sons series and from some of my more recent short stories. I will also be doing an interview in advance of the show. I will share that when it is available as well.

Second, I am over the moon to share that two of my poems have been nominated for the 2022 Rhysling Award. “Priestess,” and “Extremophile.” The nomination means the poems will be included in the Science Fiction and Fantasy Poetry Association’s upcoming Rhysling anthology. Many thanks to the SFPA and to the editors who nominated my work, and congratulations to all the nominees.

The nominated poems are still available to read on the original publication sites: “Priestess,” on Lothlorien Poetry Journal, and “Extremophile” at Anvil Tongue Books.

My short horror story, “Merchandise,” will be published in an upcoming Bag of Bones anthology, and has been shortlisted for their story competition. Sales profits from the anthology will go to children’s charities in the UK. Many thanks to editor SJ Townend and the rest of the Bag of Bones folks. Looking forward to seeing the publication when it goes live.

I submitted a full-length poetry manuscript for the Harbor Editions 2022 Laureate Prize, and while I did not win, I was longlisted, which is still an honor. Many thanks to editor Allison Blevins for her kind encouragement.

In publication news, I am pleased to share that my short horror story, “Insatiable,” appears in the latest issue of Schlock! Webzine. It chronicles the friendship of two girls as they navigate growing up and body image. The horror is both real and fantastic. Many thanks to editor Gavin Chappell, who was good enough to pass on this word of praise from Michael Dority, “Insatiable actually made me feel sick. Which is good for horror, while having a more measured effect that wasn’t as nauseous.”

Thank you, Michael! I never thought I’d be so flattered to know my work is nausea-inducing. So consider yourself warned: don’t read if you have a sensitive stomach. Also, I’d like to issue a content warning for this story: eating disorder.

Other publications this month include my story microfiction piece, “Sinew,” which appeared on 50-Word Stories. Many thanks to editor Tim Sevenhuysen, it’s an honor to be selected.

My poem, “Comfort Food,” appeared on the Dope Fiend Daily. I am endlessly grateful to editor Scott Simmons for giving my work a home.

Got my copy of New Feathers Anthology for 2021. It includes my poem, "Innocence." Thank you to editor Wade Fox for compiling all of this wonderful work. 

This month, I also received word that two of my new short stories have been shortlisted for publication, one in an anthology and the other in a magazine. I’m hoping to hear definitively on at least one of them in March. Wish me luck!

Also, I’d like to give a shout-out to my dear friend and fellow writer, Tina Marie Johnson, who is hosting regular poetry workshops and book discussions through Blue Mountain Poetry Salon. I attended a poetry workshop last month—there was lively discussion in the workshop itself, and then, we shared our responses to Tina’s writing exercises in a Facebook group. We are still posting and reviewing each other’s work in the group, and I made some great new writing friends. Tina’s workshops are reasonably priced and open to writers of all experience levels. She will also be hosting workshops specifically for younger children and teenagers. If you are interested in writing poetry or joining a reading group discussion, I recommend checking out Blue Mountain Poetry Salon.