Like my first collection, my latest chapbook seems to be in bridesmaid land…. she gets really close, runner ups and final rounds, but just not quite getting there. It’s okay. Two or three years ago, I would have been an emotional wreck, spiraling down into the dark depths. I think it says a lot about my growth as a writer that I am able to shake off these rejections and move on.

I plan to submit the hell out of the pieces in there… I left a few free so that the chap had a mix and I think I will write more… maybe… there’s another full length collection in there… maybe… even a novel. Why not, right?

I have been commuting to work on my new bike! And it’s been surreal but also kind of freeing… I haven’t owned a vehicle since Vegas and haven’t been an active driver since then either, so yeah… I have my own transportation that’s not a bicycle. Hilariously, the motorcycle shaves about 3-5 minutes of my normal bicycle commute so there really isn’t that much difference. We are going on our first camping trip this weekend and I’m really excited about it!

Finally, Andrew Gifford of Santa Fe Writers Project announced the lineup for 2025 and your girl’s book was on there:

The year ends with Melissa Llanes Brownlee's BITTER OVER SWEET, where Hawaiian native Tita works to escape a vicious cycle of poverty and abuse, only to realize along the way that life can not only be better, it can be whatever she wants it to be…

There'll be a sneak peek at all of the 2025 covers over at our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/sfwp

So excited you guys!! Maybe that’s why I am not so disappointed in my latest chap not winning any of the contests I entered.

I think that about wraps up my week! I hope that you are all staying safe! Sending light, love and creativity to you all.