We Can't Help it if We're From Florida Release Party

Hi, all!  I don't want to get to cliche, but I had the most magical time at the release party for We Can't Help it if We're from Florida. You might recall that I had the honor of reading my essay from the anthology earlier this month at The Miami Book Fair! The turnout was incredible. (Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate with me, especially my dear friends, Rita and Arielle!)

After my reading, I got to sign several copies of the anthology and also meet one of my writing idols, Lindsay Hunter! I cannot begin to thank Burrow Press and Shane Hinton, enough for including me. It was one of my proudest moments.

If you have a chance please check out We Can't Help it if We're From Florida--we Floridians are more than just Disney World.

Here are a couple more photos from the event. (Me with Lindsay and my dear friends!) Above is a photo of me signing!

Reading at the Miami Book Fair!

Hi, all! Words cannot even begin to express how honored I was to read at the Miami Book Fair! I haven't really posted about it because life has been too crazy as usual, but I had a short essay published in the anthology, We Can't Help it if We're From Florida. I am alongside some of my favorite writers such as Lindsay Hunter, Sarah Gerard, and Lydia Yuknavitch! Even cooler: my creative writing professor John Henry Fleming is also in the anthology. It's a wonderful feeling to know that my work was included in the same book as the professor who helped to mold the beginning stages of my writing. Last, the anthology got the official stamp of approval from National Book Award finalist, Lauren Groff! 

Now that I've gushed about the anthology, it's time to gush about the Miami Book Fair! I was lucky enough to be invited by Burrow Press to read from the anthology. In case you haven't heard of the Miami Book Fair, it is the largest book fair in the United States. So many awesome authors attend each year. This year, one of my favorites, Edwidge Danticat, sat in the audience while I read. Talk about a lot of pressure. The reading went well, and even though my time was short, I'm glad that I had the opportunity. I will forever be grateful. 

Here I am pictured with my dear friend, Letisia Cruz, who came out to hear me read! 

More photos from the festival:

New YA Short Story in The Thrill of the Hunt: Welcome to Whitebridge Anthology

Hi, all! I am so pleased to announce that I have a new YA short story in the latest Thrill of the Hunt Anthology! If you're not familiar with the Thrill of the Hunt anthologies from Palmas Press, the mastermind behind it is LE Perez. My short story, The Heart is a Strong Muscle is in the third book in the series. The story follows Isabelle, a teenager who just lost her parents in a tragic plane crash. When she is sent to live with her estranged grandparents in the mysterious town of Whitebridge, she notices immediately that something isn't quite right. She discovers the bone-chilling truth about why her parents stayed clear of Whitebridge.

If you know me at all, then you know that I find it difficult to write short stories of more than 1,000 words. I tend to be short-winded in general. It was a challenge to write a short story that was not only outside of my genre, but outside of my ideal word count. It came in at a little over 4,000 words. Nevertheless, I'm happy to say that I am quite pleased with the result and I'm really glad that the editor pushed me.

You can read my story by purchasing a print copy or eBook (which I highly recommend! So many talented authors alongside me!). My story will also be available as a standalone from Palmas Press starting next month!

https://www.amazon.com/Hunted-Thrill-Hunt-Anthology/dp/099810227X/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

New Short Story Publication!

Artwork by Katiana Robles

Hi, all! I am thrilled to share that I have a new story out this month with Ghost Parachute Literary Magazine! It's called Saved and you can read it via the Ghost Parachute website. This is my second time publishing with this particular literary magazine and I am so very honored to be included again. (You can find my other story, In the Dark, here.) I'm beyond thankful to the Editor-in-Chief, Brett Pribble, for championing my work. If you have a few spare moments it takes about five minutes to read! I'd also love to hear your thoughts. While you're there be sure to read some of the other wonderful authors I'm alongside, such as John King, J. Bradley, and more!

P.S. How amazing is this artist? Thank you Katiana Robles for creating this artwork to accompany my story!

New Publication in Reaching Beyond the Saguaros

Hi, all! I'm thrilled to announce that I have a short prose piece in the anthology, Reaching Beyond the Saguaros: A Collaborative Prosimetric Travelogue. The anthology is edited by Heather Lang (I can't thank her enough for including me) and it's out now from Serving House Books! If you'd like to support my work, the work of other phenomenal writers, and a fantastic indie press, then please consider buying a copy! You can go directly to the Serving House Books site or to the Amazon link. Thanks for reading!

Here's a little about the anthology: "In Reaching Beyond the Saguaros, a book titled for its beginning roots in the Southwest, contributors write themselves around the globe, connecting pieces of their individual hometowns. Inspired by the seventeenth-century haibun's concision, imagistic tendencies, and subtle interplay between poetry and prose, this contemporary travelogue features writing by Renée Ashley, Carol Fragale Brill, Letisia Cruz, Walter Cummins, Nina Foxx, R. G. Evans, Racquel Henry, H. L. Hix, Thomas E. Kennedy, Minna Zallman Proctor, and others."

New Publication - Past Ten

I have a new short essay out over at Past Ten! Past Ten was created by Donald Quist and involves writers reflecting on the differences between who they were and who they are.

My assigned date was March 15th 2007. It was interesting to see how different things in my life were at that point. If you have a second, check out the site and check out my essay. I'm grateful to be included among so many talented writers. My thanks to Donald for publishing my work.

Loose Lips Reading - March Edition

Loose Lips is a monthly reading series hosted by Tod Caviness in the Orlando area. Readers read prose or poetry and the only requirement is that the piece has to be inspired by the given month's news headlines. I had a fantastic time reading at the March show along with Josh Dull, Darlyn Finch Kuhn, and John King! If you couldn't attend the reading, or if you're not local, you can listen to the live recording on Episode 250 of The Drunken Odyssey with John King Podcast. I'm the second reader.

Many thanks to The Drunken Odyssey with John King Podcast and Shawn McKee for recording the reading and providing us with a fancy link!