A Golden Start to the Summer – June 2026 Wrap

Summer is here, and the sun isn’t the only thing that’s shining. My June was absolutely golden. Lots happened on my publishing and music journeys, so I’m excited to share the highlights.

A Glowing Kirkus Review for Kaleidoscopic Quill

In June, the butterfly anthology of my heart, Kaleidoscopic Quill, received a glowing review from Kirkus. I’ll never stop flipping out about this. Absolutely unreal.

You can read the full review here.

I also put together a special blog post to celebrate this incredible accomplishment, and you can check that out here.

If you would like to purchase a copy of the anthology, it’s available as an ebook and paperback here.

Thank you so much to Kirkus Reviews and everyone who made this anthology possible. I seriously love you all so much.

My Five Butterflies

Speaking of butterflies, I got five caterpillars for my birthday last month, and in June, they transformed into their beautiful winged forms and got set free.

While the butterflies were emerging from their cocoons, I was on a mission to capture one on video. Despite the obstacles of my iPad constantly losing battery and running out of storage, I was able to catch the fourth butterfly coming out of its cocoon.

I let the butterflies go on June 25, and they weren’t in the mood for a photo shoot. Still, I managed to get two pictures.

Here’s me holding one of my painted ladies.

I tried to get a picture with Kaleidoscopic Quill, which was dysfunctional, but here’s that one.

I hope my little butterflies are having fun in the great outdoors!

Returning to Seton Hill University for In Your Write Mind

On June 27, I returned to Seton Hill University for In Your Write Mind, a conference organized by the alumni from the MFA in Writing Popular Fiction program.

First, I presented about balancing art and market while pursuing traditional publishing. After that, I spoke on a panel about writing for the middle grade and young adult audiences.

I loved seeing everyone on the Hill again. In Your Write Mind is always a fun time.

A Progress Update for My Young Adult Gothic Thriller

On May 24, I started writing my young adult gothic thriller, and I’m super excited to share that I’ve drafted up to the midpoint. This is sixteen chapters, over 40,000 words. I’m on track to meet my goal of finishing the first draft by August 17, so I can’t wait to keep my momentum going in July.

Celebrating Four Anthology Publications

In June, I celebrated four anthology publications.

First, I received my paperback of Capture This by Linton Press. My literary fiction piece, “Piano Sonata No. 1 in A-Flat Major,” is in this anthology. The book came out on May 12, but getting the book was worth the wait. I wrote all about Capture This in this blog post.

On top of getting my paperback of Capture This, three other anthologies got published this month.

First, I’m thrilled that my young adult supernatural horror, “Crick Crack Crow,” featuring a dark game of Tic-Tac-Toe against the Devil, is out in High Stakes Horror by WATG Press.

Second, I couldn’t be more excited to share that my young adult dark fantasy, “When Petals Fall,” featuring an ancient forest and original flower folklore, got published in Roots & Rivers: A Collection of Myth and Folklore by Lowell & Benson Publishing.

Third, my young adult summer meet-cute, “Shorely Yours,” featuring a photographer protagonist, songwriter love interest, and romantic twist on a message in a bottle, is out in Dream A Little Dream With Me by KissMet Quarterly.

I’m excited to get my copies of these three anthologies soon.

Two New Short Stories

I’m busy drafting my young adult gothic thriller, but I found time to write and submit two new short stories in June.

First, my new adult autumn meet-cute, “Wicks and Wishes,” already got accepted for Shine On Harvest Moon by KissMet Quarterly. I can’t wait for readers to meet Ruby and Blaze as they make candles together at a campground.

Second, I wrote a young adult historical folk horror based on an urban legend from Pittsburgh. This dark tale is a new favorite, so my fingers are crossed for good news soon.

I have more anthologies on my list for the summer, so I’m hoping to write for at least a couple of them in July.

A Secret Poetry Acceptance

I ended the month with a poetry surprise in my inbox.

My music prose poem inspired by Clair de Lune found a home. I can’t share the details yet, but I will as soon as I can.

This is my first prose poem, so it holds a special place in my heart.

Playing Clair de Lune in a Piano Recital

Speaking of Clair de Lune, I played this piece in a piano recital on June 7. It’s one of my all-time favorites by Claude Debussy, so I loved performing it again.

You can watch my performance on YouTube.

I also secured my membership for the upcoming season of the Friday Evening Music Club, so I can’t wait to play in more recitals soon.

Happy Ever After Doesn’t Last Forever Interviews

My fairy-tale inspired EP, Happy Ever After Doesn’t Last Forever, was released on May 29, so that means I have interviews to share.

I had a fun time doing interviews for Music Of The Future, Hometown Country Music, CanvasRebel Magazine, and Fierce & Fabulous Revolution, so I hope you enjoy reading them.

Thank you to everyone who has listened to my musical fairy tale so far. I’m grateful for the love.

So, that’s a wrap on my June. It was definitely a great one. I can’t wait to see what’s around the corner in July.