Small Talk
sharing an essay, a poem, and two short stories
In lieu of a new reflection…
It has been a busy time. I snuck away to New York to see my parents and eat lots of food, which was such a gift and also means now I must return to reality and play a bit of catchup. With that in mind, instead of writing a new post, I have decided to share four pieces I’ve published in the past month. In some ways, they could not be more different from each other (or in most cases, from this Substack), but I am incredibly proud of all of them and in this Women’s History Month, forever indebted to my grandmother for showing me women could and should be writers.
Available online
An essay: “Small Talk” on the Troublesome Rising companion website published by the Hindman Settlement School (about the flood that got this whole project started)
My first-ever published poem: “November 6, 2024: Not Surprised, Just Heartbroken,” in Political Poems: An Online Anthology published by The Marbled Sigh (about the things people say to interracial adoptive families)
Available for purchase
A short story: “Rerooted” in volume 6 of Northern Appalachia Review (inspired by some of the people who appear in this Substack and my forthcoming book, although, as they say, any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental)
A short story: “Lila and Snake” in Rescuing Curiosity: A WriteHive Anthology (started as a coming-of-age cli-fi story originally submitted to Grist’s Imagine 2200 climate fiction contest)
Welcome Home. I've been catching up as well.