It’s been a looong time since I posted here. So much has happened. (For the tldr version, head over to my fiction page. I’ve been busy!) But in the spirit of moving on, I’ll catch up on things later in future posts as time goes on.

My big news is that I’ve published my first chapbook! My first book of any kind, actually. It’s a collection of 12 microfictions and flash pieces called “Ghost in the Rain,” from indie publisher Bottlecap Press. It went on sale in late spring. I’m thrilled! I never thought I’d debut after 50, with a story collection, no less. But it’s a relief and a joy to see this book out in the world.

I’ve been very fortunate since its publication to have the book reviewed at Your Impossible Voice by Kelsey Squire. It’s a thoughtful, beautifully written (and glowing) piece of criticism. I’m honored.

I was also honored to be invited by Steve Himmer, one of the founders of Necessary Fiction, to write a short essay about how I assembled the collection. It’s a personal essay discussing pieces of my past that influenced and shaped these stories.  

Many thanks to everyone who’s bought the book, shared photos of it online, and been supportive in so many ways since it was released. I had no idea this was going to happen this year. The timeline from when I submitted the manuscript to Bottlecap Press to publication was so fast.  

I’ll share more details soon about a series of launch events I have brewing in the fall and into next year. Online events and in-person in Philadelphia. And in other cities, I hope – if you need readers or authors for your event or book group, let’s get in touch!

While I’m hyping my own book (and hopping around excitedly, but pretending to play it cool), I wanted to mention a couple books I’ve read lately that I loved. I got to hear Cara Benson read at Head House Books in Philly on her current tour. What a phenomenal reader and person. Her memoir, “An Armsfull of Birds,” is stunning, full of grief, hope, and wisdom about love. Here’s a link to an interview she did about the book with Cheryl Strayed.

I also got to meet flash writer Elizabeth Rosen this summer at the Barrelhouse Writers Camp (more on this later, I think). I picked up her chapbook, “Survival Skills” and later heard her read online with several other phenomenal flash writers, like Sumitra Singam, Travis Flatt, and Dawn Tasaka Steffler. All I can say is that Liz’s story collection is one of the best books (not just chapbooks) I’ve read in years. Her work was completely new to me and I read this collection in one sitting. From the very first pages it had me and just kept delivering. It’s a phenomenal book.