Cheers to Summer – June 2025 Wrap

June was truly such a fabulous month. From Josie Music Awards nominations and anthology acceptances to a very fun afternoon at the Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy, I’m super excited to share the highlights.

My Four Nominations for the 11th Annual Josie Music Awards

I’m over the moon to share that I received four nominations for the 11th Annual Josie Music Awards!

Only 2.8 percent of around 86,000 submissions got nominations. Also, for the Songwriter Achievement category specifically, there were over 10,000 songs submitted, and two of mine made the list of only 188 unreleased songs that got nominated. This is so wild to me. To celebrate becoming an official nominee, I wrote this blog post, where I share what my categories mean to me. I’m so honored to be recognized at the JMAs again this year. Fingers crossed I’ll win an award in the fall.

Another Summer at the Murrysville Farmers Market

I’m super excited to be spending another summer playing at the Murrysville Farmers Market. My first two-hour set this month went amazing.

I’m looking forward to performing again in July.

Anthology Updates

The Anthology Queen is so back!

First, I’m excited to share that my young adult magical realism story, “Fae D’Angelo’s Notes of Wisdom,” found a home in Tread Lightly, Speak Gently by Wild Ink Publishing. This is one of my favorite short stories I’ve wrriten, and I can’t wait to see it in print when the anthology gets published in 2026.

Second, my young adult gothic horror heist adventure, “The Amber Opal,” got accepted for GORE 5 (Curses): A Halloween Anthology by Poe Boy Publishing. This is the story I drafted in May, and I was surprised the acceptance came so quickly, since I submitted to the anthology earlier this month. I had a blast writing “The Amber Opal,” and I’m super excited to be included in another Poe Boy Publishing anthology. The book will be published in September.

Also, I submitted two other stories this month, a young adult locked room mystery with light speculative elements and a literary fiction piece. These are both older ones that I’m still trying to place. I’m manifesting acceptances for them.

In July, I’m going to write a young adult holiday romance, along with making final tweaks to a young adult quiet horror. I’ll submit both of them to anthologies next month.

I’m so happy to be writing short stories again. More anthologies are on my list for the rest of the year, so I’ll be busy.

Kaleidoscopic Quill Updates

Speaking of anthologies, I have to highlight mine, Kaleidoscopic Quill: An Inspiring Butterfly Anthology.

During the submission window from March to June, the anthology received eighty-two poems and stories. This blows my mind. Reading all the submissions was such a gift, and making decisions was extremely hard. Andie and I did a first round, where we narrowed the submissions down to a shortlist. Then, we made our final choices. Early July, I’ll put together the contract and send out the emails.

Also, the anthology officially has a cover. I’m bursting to share it with everyone. We’ll be doing a cover reveal in July after the acceptances are sent out.

Kaleidoscopic Quill is the anthology is my heart, and I’m beyond happy with the accepted poems and stories. I’m looking forward to working with the authors and poets to polish their pieces the rest of the year. The anthology is set to be published next spring.

The End of My First #RevPit as an Editor

My first #RevPit experience as an editor came to a close this month. After the showcase, I read my winner’s revision, and she did a fabulous job. I can’t wait until she lands an agent with her fantastic thriller.

The past few months reminded me how much I love editing and mentoring other writers. I’m so grateful to be a #RevPit editor, and I’m already looking forward to next year’s annual contest.

The Literary Auction for Change

This month, I donated a first twenty pages critique of a young adult novel plus a call to the Literary Auction for Change, run by the Literary Agents of Change.

Giving back is very important to me, so I couldn’t pass up the chance to support such a wonderful organization working hard to diversify the publishing landscape and open doors for aspiring literary agents.

The Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy

I’m going to end my June wrap by talking about the Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy, which was hands down one of the coolest events I have ever attended in my life.

First, the timing of this was so ironic because last month, I started plotting a young adult gothic thriller inspired by one of Poe’s stories. Are you curious which one? Well, I’ll leave you wondering because I’m not ready to share details about this book yet.

Anyway, my mom and I went to the event on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, and it was incredible. The four stories were “The Tell-Tale Heart,” “The Black Cat,” “The Raven,” and “The Masque of the Red Death.” I loved them all, but “The Raven” and “The Masque of the Red Death” are tied for my favorite.

Also, I totally nailed my gothic look.

Then, there were the cocktails. Now, I don’t drink, like, ever, but I tried them all. The Pale Blue Eye, the one for “The Tell-Tale Heart,” was subjectively the best. I know the ingredients, so I can have it whenever I want. I may or may not have ordered a Pale Blue Eye when I was out to dinner a couple weekends ago.

Cheers!

So, all in all, this event was perfect. If it ever comes to Pittsburgh again, there is a very high chance I’ll go for round two.

So, that’s a wrap on my amazing June. I can’t believe 2025 is already halfway over. This year is flying by. I’m grateful for the memories I’ve made so far, and I’m ready to see what’s waiting for me in July.