From the Missouri Writers Guild’s 2021 President’s Writers Contest—So excited to be awarded a first place in Best Short Story with “Skin Dowdy” from Black Cranes (yes, the same Black Cranes that is a Shirley Jackson Awards finalist!)

I was awarded a first place for my nonfiction interview “Potter Magic: Guiding Libraries in Pandemic Times” in Space and Time #137 Summer 2020 and a second place for my poem “Riding the Exhale” in HWA Poetry Showcase Volume VII and a current Rhysling nomination).

On top of that, my husband Ryan Aussie Smith got a finalist for Shadow’s Lament. As his first book, a finalist is more impressive than a placing. For a first book to get any recognition at all is phenomenal. I am proudest of his accomplishment… and that’s a win for that amazing editor he worked with as well 😉

Congratulations to all the entrants this year. If you are writing and publishing, you are a winner. I’m proud to see all the fine work coming out of Missouri and look forward to seeing even more next year. You can see a list of all the Missouri Writers Guild’s 2021 President’s Writers Contest winners and finalists here.