Woke up to the news that I am on the Wigleaf Top 50 Longlist for my flash in Newfound, Relax Said the Nightman! While I didn’t make the top 50 like I did last year, I am grateful to have even one of my publications make the longlist.

These lists can be very stressful and lead to a lot of negative feelings, and I will be honest, I wallowed a little in not making the top 50.

It can be very frustrating to feel like you are working so hard and writing the things that matter to you and not having that effort recognized. I am so grateful to the community for celebrating this with me and for making me shift my perspective to a more positive one.

So yes! I am celebrating making that damn longlist! It’s damn good story and I deserve to celebrate.

June 21st is Hard Skin’s first birthday!! I am hoping to do a little kaitenzushi photo shoot (I’m treating myself to some sushi at Hamazushi for lunch that day) with it. Yay to one year!!

Finally, I just found out that Kahi and Lua will be the featured novella in flash for the NIFTY Book Club in August! This makes me so very happy, and, again, grateful for this wonderful and supportive community. I am hoping to attend one of the meetings - time zones allowing.

Finally, for those who did not make the top 50 or the longlist, hugs. It’s hard out there, but all we can do is keep creating, keep writing, keep being true to ourselves. Sending light, love and creativity.