Update July 22, 2025

PUBLICATIONS

I had four poems appear in Bards of a Feather: Wings of Golden Syllables, Volume 2, including, "Imping," "Anting," "Plastic Flamingos," and "Blackbird Trapped."

"Imping" also appeared in The Woodside Review.

I had four poems appear in Five Fleas Itchy Poetry: "Segmentation," "Supernova," "Southside," and "Snapdragon." (The alliteration was not intentional!)

I also had an essay published. "Growing Pains" is about our experience with growing marijuana while my husband was in renal failure. It is in the latest issue of Home Planet News.

Update July 1, 2025

PUBLICATION

My poem, “Hades and Persephone’s Pillow Talk,” is in the latest issue of Gyroscope Review.


UPCOMING APPEARANCES

On July 22, 6 pm PDT, I will be the featured reader at the Time to Arrive Poetry Reading and Open Mic. Hope to see some of you there!

**Update 7/17/25 - A Facebook event has been created for this reading. 

I have recorded my segment on the Plague Remedy Podcast. I will share when the episode goes live! Thank you to Stephen Sacco for being such an excellent host. 

Update June 9, 2025

PUBLICATIONS

My poem, "The Sleep Study," appeared in Voices Unbound: An Anthology of International Poetry by Fresh Words Literary Magazine. Thank you to editor Som for including my work. 

Three poems appeared in the latest issue of the New Croton Review, "4:30 a.m. poem," "Ardor," and "Blackbird Trapped."  

Many thanks to the Lilomul Journal team for publishing three of my poems, "Semantics," "Expulusion," and "Ozark Mountain Christmas."

UPCOMING APPEARANCE

I recorded an interview last week with the lovely Stephen Sacco, host of the Plague Remedy podcast. We talked poetry, fiction, and Kansas City. I will share when the episode goes live!

 

May 1, 2025 Update

Hello, all. For the foreseeable future, I will no longer be doing monthly updates - I will just wait until I have some news to share. Due to health issues, I haven't been writing much these past two years. In the last month, I started seeing a new neurologist and have a new treatment plan, which seems to be giving me some relief. Let's hope I continue to see improvement. 

I am trying to get back in the habit of writing every day, which is has been proving harder than I expected. Fortunately, I am very stubborn. I have started on a new fantasy novel. I have been sending work out to magazines again and have a few publications lined up, as well as a spot on a podcast that will be recorded in June. 

Thank you, as always, to all my lovely, supportive readers and to all the kind folks who have sent donations to help me cover my medical bills and some living expenses. It is deeply appreciated. 

PUBLICATION

My poem, “And Pain and I Resume,” is in the inaugural issue of Life in Limbo. Thank you to editor Victoria Desmond for including my work.

Happy Mayday to all!

February News

AWARD

I received this earlier this month. Thank you to the SFPA for this honor. Here is the winning poem, "Little Brown Changeling."

PUBLICATIONS

My poem, “At Culver’s Drive-Thru,” is in the latest issue of Locust Shells Journal. Many thanks to the editors for including my work. 

“Father” is in the New Feathers 2024 Anthology (print). Thank you to editor Wade Fox.

IN THE KING’S POWER

In the King’s Power is now complete – books 1-6 are now available as ebooks on Amazon/Kindle Unlimited. Thank you to my readers for following this series. Ratings and reviews are welcome, and I am always happy to supply reviewer copies. 

January News

PUBLICATION

My poem, “Mono no Aware,” appeared in the Chilean magazine, Ultramarine Literary Review.

This is a special milestone for me, as it means I have now been published on all seven continents! Many, many thanks to editor Catalina Bonati.

IN THE KING'S POWER

Part 5 of In the King's Power was released on January 1 as an Amazon ebook. Read a bonus excerpt here.

Part 6, which is the final installment of the series, will go live on Saturday, February 1, also as an ebook, $3.99 to purchase, or free to read with Kindle Unlimited. Read an excerpt here. 

OTHER NEWS

In an effort to disentangle myself from the Metaverse, I have deleted my Instagram profiles. I will not delete Facebook at this time, as there are far too many people and communities there that I don't want to lose touch with, but I will not be spending much time on it, and I don't plan on posting any more writing-related announcements there-- I don't want to contribute to its engagement or Zuck's bottom line anymore than I have to. I am hoping to start separating my work from Amazon as well, as I am able. 

In the meantime, you can find me on BlueSky @laurenscharhag.bsky.social. And, if you are so inclined, I am still on LinkedIn, and can be reached by email. 

 

December News and 2024 Roundup

Happy New Years, friends! This year was not my most productive year. If you weren't already aware, my ever-present health issues have become more debilitating. I am no longer able to work. Over the Thanksgiving holiday, I spent a week in the hospital and am still slowly, slowly convalesceing. Right now, I pretty much spend all my time either sleeping or zoned out on the couch. I am trying to be patient with myself, and hope that I may do a bit more writing in 2025. 

I hate to rattle my little tin cup, but my hospital bills are starting to come in. So far, they are about $2,000. Please consider donating to help us pay them. Any little bit helps. 

DECEMBER NEWS

In December, I released Part 4 of my new dark fantasy romance series, In the King's Power. It's free to read on Kindle Unlimited, $1.99 to purchase. 

Part 5 will drop tomorrow, January 1. An excerpt is available to read here. It will be free to read on Kindle Unlimited as well, and $3.99 to purchase. 

2024 ROUNDUP

Honors

I had four poems nominated for a Rhysling Award: "Below the Bible Belt," "Little Brown Changeling," "The Two of Coins," and "When the Honeymoon is Over." "Little Brown Changeling," was awarded first place. 

My poetry collection, Moonlight and Monsters, was nominated for an Elgin Award.

And finally, my short story, "Feather and Scale," made the Top 50 in the Roadmap Writers Short Story Competition. 

Publications

I had 11 pieces published across six literary venues. I blurbed 500 Hidden Teeth, a new poetry collection by Scott Ferry. I did a book signing at the AWP Conference, which was in my hometown this year, and was a featured author on the Muse's Mic literary series. Additionally, I published three books:

• Ain't These Sorrows Sweet, Roadside Press, June 2024
• Screaming Intensifies, Whiskey City Press, September 2024
• In the King's Power series, self-published, to be released September 2024-February 2025

Thank you so much to my readers and supporters - wishing you all a safe and happy 2025!

October News

AWARD

You guys! My poem, "Little Brown Changeling," won first place for this year's Rhysling Awards - long form category. I am especially moved because this poem is about our little brown changeling, Otter, now dearly departed. (I am a crazy cat lady from way back.) She's been gone four years now, and is still bringing magic into our lives. BIG, BIG thanks to the judges and to the person who nominated this poem. To celebrate, I am going to go hug all my resident fur babies. Please go hug yours. It was originally published in Aphelion.

The little brown changeling in question

 
PUBLICATION

The SFPA has an annual Halloween reading - this year, my poem, "The Ghost Forest" was included. All poems are audio recorded, so please have a listen and Happy Halloween to all who celebrate!

 
APPEARANCE

If you missed my interview on Muse's Mic, here is the recording. Thanks again to James and Sandy for being such excellent hosts. 

COMING SOON

 

In the King’s Power - Part 3 will be dropping on November 1. 

Parts 1 and 2 are already live on Amazon. For bonus excerpts, check out the series overview here on this blog.   

OTHER STUFF

Halloween season isn't quite over yet! Don't forget my short horror story collection, Screaming Intensifies from Whiskey City Press. I still have a few copies, so if you'd like yours autographed, hit me up. 

I also still have copies of most of my poetry books, so please feel free to order those from me as well.

 

September News

NOMINATION

I got my contributor copy of the 2024 Rhysling Anthology. I had four poems nominated for Rhysling Awards this year, and my poem, "Little Brown Changeling," is a finalist. It was originally published in Aphelion Magazine. Thank you so much to the judges and congrats to my fellow poets.

APPEARANCE

On September 25, I was the featured author on the Muse's Mic, a new literary series by SpoFest, sponsored by Sheila-na-Gig Magazine. It was a great interview - I will share the recording as soon as it is available. Thank you to James Bryant and Sandra Feen for being excellent hosts. 

SCREAMING INTENSIFIES 

The first review for Screaming Intensifies is in! Thank you so much, Richard - so pleased to hear you liked the book! 

I got my author copies of Screaming Intensifies, so if you'd like an autographed copy, hit me up. It's $16 + shipping. I can take PayPal or Venmo. It's the perfect Halloween read!

As always, I will do two books for $20 if you'd like a poetry collection as well.

IN THE KING'S POWER 

Part 1 of In the King's Power dropped on September 1. Read an excerpt here. 

Part 2 will go live on October 1. The excerpt for it is here. 

Thank you so much to everyone who has purchased a copy of Part 1 or read it on Kindle Unlimited. The series was a lot of fun to write, and I am going to miss these characters so much. Knowing that some readers are out there enjoying their company brings me such joy.

Thanks, as always, for stopping by this old site! 

June News

NOW AVAILABLE

My poetry collection, Ain’t These Sorrows Sweet, is now available to purchase from Amazon and Roadside Press.

 
Check out the latest review:
 
“There is much to live through in these poems, much to survive through, and we feel every pang, every triumph, every release." Thank you to Scott Ferry. Read his complete review at Heavy Feathers.

 
PUBLICATIONS

My review of Fill Me with Birds by Scott Ferry and Daniel McGinn is up at Heavy Feathers.

 
My poem, “Pando,” is in the latest issue of Thimble Magazine. Thank you to editor Nadia Arioli. The above picture is the cover art by Emelly Velasco.

 
FORTHCOMING

My short story collection, Screaming Intensifies, is coming soon from Whiskey City Press. More details to come. In the meantime, enjoy this cool cover art, designed by John Patrick Robbins.

 
 
 
 

May News

FINALIST!

I am thrilled to share that of the four poems that were nominated for a Rhysling Award this year, "Little Brown Changeling" is a finalist! I am deeply grateful to the publisher, to the person who nominated this poem, and to the Rhysling jury for recognizing this piece. The poem is still available to read in Aphelion Webzine. I would also like to wish my fellow finalists my heartiest congratulations. I am honored to be among you!

BOOKS FOR SALE

If you preordered my latest poetry collection, Ain't These Sorrows Sweet, shipments go out this week. I have copies, so you can purchase them for me. I also have some copies of my other books (pictured above). I will sell copies of any book for $15, or two for $20 + shipping. Of course I will autograph them for you. I can accept PayPal or Venmo. Message me!

April News

FORTHCOMING

Cover art by Beth Barnett

Reviews are coming in for my latest poetry collection, Ain’t These Sorrows Sweet, which is available for preorder. I am ever so grateful to these reviewers, all poets themselves, who I respect and admire.
 
“Once again, Lauren Scharhag demonstrates accomplished skill and innate talent for sorting skeins of traditional homespun yarns into contemporary designs. Within the framework of each poem, upon a warp of sorrow grounded in absence and denial, Scharhag threads the grist of immigrant and first-generation relatives sharing and not sharing hard memories. A legacy of uncles serving out lives in prison, darkness and loss surrounding births, the dull drag of loved ones aging toward death, the vibrant energy of childhood in an urban landscape all intertwine to anchor the backbone of a brilliant life tapestry. Through a weft of sweetness where the ground beneath warms and softens, those shining threads of witness and hope a poet shuttles into creative patterns, Scharhag distills memories of light and joy contained in everyday tasks like sorting beans with a grandmother and treasuring objects such as an heirloom swan-shaped soap dish. The complex tangled bonds of history and family weave expertly through this collection casting a rustic mosaic to pass down through generations.”

—Shelly Norris, author of Hyperbola (Impspired Press)
 

“This is a book of pain and life and tiny joys: Aztec warriors, divorce and plastic flamingos, broom guitars, dementia and familial sacrifices, the loss of pets and people to terrible diseases, and family serving long prison sentences 'growing old before their time, fashioning objects that they intend to set loose, like doves at a funeral.' Masterfully written with such a vibrant descriptive language, Lauren Scharhag's Ain't These Sorrows Sweet is everything I love about great writing. When there is pain, you feel it; when there are moments of sweet joy, it is the same. You know the author has truly lived these experiences and is able to transport you to wherever she pleases with both a sincere clarity and levelling eye rooted in such a wonderful wash of language and feeling. Whether it be a failed clock-drawing test for dementia or recovered treasures from a ceramics graveyard, the inevitable cloud of our own mortality hangs over everything. Our lives speckled with sorrow and time like those speckled seed bodies and an old enamel soaker pot in “Sorting the Beans.” Lauren Scharhag's Ain't These Sorrows Sweet is a sincerely unflinching and beautifully courageous reminder of human perseverance and of 'how time cuts us all down to size.'”

—Ryan Quinn Flanagan, author of Kiss the Heathens (Roadside Press)

 

Lori's review can also be read here.

 

Linnet's review can also be read here.
 
 
NOMINATIONS

I am simply thrilled to share that my poetry collection, Moonlight and Monsters, has been nominated for an Elgin Award. BIG THANKS to the Gnashing Teeth Publishing folks for this honor!

Moonlight and Monsters is available for purchase from Gnashing Teeth and Amazon. I also have some copies, so if you’d like yours autographed, please let me know. From me, they’re $15. I can accept PayPal or Venmo.
 
 
PUBLICATIONS

“Father” and “Sorting the Beans” are in the spring issue of New Feathers. Thank you to editor Wade Fox and the rest of the NF team!

 
"Father" was also the magazine’s featured poem on April 26.