I’m happy to announce that my flash fiction story “Freshman” was published by Discretionary Love. Read it here.

I wrote this piece in the first semester of my MFA program, and it was several hundred words beyond the limit for flash. I vividly remember a classmate waiting for me after workshop, saying, “Women only write stories like this because they really happened.”

Yes, he was a white male. Shocker, I know. At the time I’m sure I gave a tense smile in reply, but I wish I had said, “Of COURSE something ‘like this’ happens to every woman!” I don’t think I knew it then. But reading stories lately, especially the amazing “Just a Girl” by Kait Leonard and “Boys” by Jody M. Keene, have helped me see this is true, and maybe I should cut him some slack for realizing it, even if he didn’t broach the subject in the best way. (For one, don’t approach with a cocky sneer.)

That version of the story had less consent and more harsh reality. But when I got back into writing last year, I thought it was strong enough to submit, with some minor edits for word count and clarity. It was longlisted and then shortlisted for a Fractured Lit contest, but didn’t place. I started submitting it elsewhere, and it still couldn’t find a home. I started to doubt the story, but every time I felt like I should retire it, I thought of the contest.

A writing partner offered to look it over, and her fresh eyes and unique point of view were exactly what I needed. She brought things to my attention that I hadn’t noticed on my own, after working on this story off and on for over ten years.

So I revised it and fell in love anew with the resulting story. I sent it to two places, and it was accepted by the first place I sent it. I can’t believe I was so close to letting this one go, and I’m very glad it found a home. I hope you read it!

I’m excited to announce that Mall Rats: An Anthology came into the world on December 7, 2021. Many writers gathered together to celebrate this birth with a reading, as is the custom. Everyone is so talented and it was a treat to hear everyone’s words in their own voices, spotlighting each personality.

Something I’ve come to realize this year is that the writing community is flat-out amazing. If you’re reading grumpy takes on Twitter and trying to figure out who’s subtweeting who, you’re doing it wrong.

Find yourself a group like the writers in this anthology who laughed, clapped, cheered, and left supportive comments in the Zoom chat, making you feel like you were actually all together even though it wasn’t possible. I pictured us in the mall food court, stealing chairs from surrounding tables, huddled together making other patrons nervous.

I never thought I’d miss those days of walking the mall for hours because we had nowhere else to do, but this collection elevates the mall to something meaningful. Don’t miss it – get your copy (or ebook!) from the Daily Drunk.