A Musical and Bookish Start to Autumn – September 2024 Wrap

Autumn has arrived, and wow, September was incredible. From music awards news to anthology highlights and more, this month shimmered with wins and moments to remember.

This Butterfly Is Your ISSA Country Pop Artist of the Month

This month, my Butterflies voted me as the ISSA Country Pop Artist of the Month. I seriously can’t believe this. There were over 200 artists and thousands of votes cast. When I found out I won, I definitely squealed.

I’ll be receiving a gold record from the International Singer Songwriters Association for being crowned the Country Pop Artist of the Month. Once I receive it in October, I’ll for sure share a picture.

Thank you so much to my Butterflies for showing up this month and voting for me. I’m so grateful. My gold record is going to look perfect beside my crystal from the awards last year.

My Nominations for the 3rd Annual Holiday Music and Film Awards

Christmas came early because I received two nominations for the 3rd Annual Holiday Music and Film Awards being held in Jacksonville this December. “Winter Cold” is up for Best Christmas Jazz Song, and “Tinsel Heart” is up for Best Christmas Pop Song.

My Christmas music is close to my heart, so these nominations mean the world to me. I wrote all about them in this blog post.

Thank you so much to the HMFAs for this recognition. No matter what happens in December, receiving two nominations my first time submitting to the awards is a dream come true.

My Video Tie-Dyeing My Shirt for the Hear Me Out Album Cover

Since Hear Me Out turned a month old, I shared the video of me tie-dyeing the shirt I’m wearing in the album cover. I had so much fun filming this.

If you haven’t heard the album yet, please give it a listen on your favorite platform. I promise you’ll love it.

Closing the Murrysville Farmers Market

This month, I closed the Murrysville Farmers Market. I had so much fun playing again this year. Here’s a set highlights video.

I can’t thank the Murrysville Farmers Market enough for a summer of fun and live music. I hope to play again in 2025.

The September Music Interviews

I’m super excited to share my interviews from September. Doing interviews is literally one of my favorite things ever.

First, Phil Kranz invited me onto the Blackdog Indie Country Radio Show. After he saw me perform at the ISSA Awards after party last month, he asked for me to send him some of my music. The interview opportunity was the cherry on top. I loved chatting with Phil, and he also aired my cover of “Homecoming Queen” and “I’m Introverted, So What?” You can listen to the show here.

Next, I appeared on Paul Mash TV. I can’t thank Paul enough for having me on to chat about my music career and spotlight “Kind Heart.” You can watch my interview here.

I’m delighted my interview with Crazy Women Country dropped this month. I filmed this earlier in the year, and it was so fun catching up with Donna and Paula, sharing what I’ve been up to, and answering fun questions. You can watch my interview here.

Lastly, my Heart of Indie Radio interview for Hear Me Out aired on multiple shows throughout the month. I loved chatting with Eddie about the album, and I can’t thank the whole team enough for giving my interview extra exposure to celebrate Hear Me Out.

Thank you so much to everyone who gave my music and me a platform in September. I’m so thankful.

My Editorial Interview

Shifting into the publishing industry, my good friend, Amy Nielsen, called me one night to chat about my work as a freelance editor. She asked me what my Amethyst Ink clients are struggling with the most and what they’re doing well. Being an editor is a dream job, and I’m honored Amy wanted to spotlight my insights on her website. You can read the post here.

This Butterfly Is a New #RevPit Editor

Speaking of being an editor, I’m still freaking out over the fact that I joined the Revise & Resub team as a new #RevPit editor. I participated in the annual contest in 2023 and thought the editors were the elite. If you would have told me then that I would become one a year later, I would have laughed in your face. This is wild. I’m looking forward to all the fun to come on this new adventure.

My Second Anthology Publication

Last month, I submitted a young adult gothic horror short story that I love so much to an anthology. Well, friends, it got accepted, and that’s not all. It’s already published!

My haunting tale, “Revenge At Ravenwood,” is featured in GORE 4 (Demons): A Halloween Anthology by Poe Boy Publishing. The fact that the story got accepted and published in the same month is the wildest thing ever.

Here’s the video of me opening my author copy.

And here is a photo of me holding the book.

If you want to read all about this story’s journey to publication, check out this blog post.

Thank you to the Poe Boy Publishing team for giving “Revenge At Ravenwood” a home. It’s not even Halloween yet, and my spooky season is already complete.

More Anthology Updates Because Of Course

Yes, my anthology obsession is still going strong. Glad you asked.

In September, I submitted three short stories. One is a young adult horror, another is a new adult romantasy, and the last one is a young adult romantasy I co-authored with my best friend. I’m manifesting acceptances for these stories.

I’m also preparing to submit to more anthologies in October. I really do have a problem. Someone stop me.

Anyway, that’s a wrap on my fabulous September. This month was packed with amazing moments and highlights. I’m looking forward to what October has in store for me.