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Melissa Ostrom Author

Melissa Ostrom is the author of The Beloved Wild and other writing

Events/News

Melissa Ostrom author at Union CollegeEarlier this month, it was my pleasure to zoom with Union College Professor Bunkong Tuon’s group of first-year honor students who’d been assigned to read and study my historical novel THE BELOVED WILD. If you’re a teacher or professor thinking about assigning one of my novels, please feel free to contact me, if you’d like to set up a zoom meeting.

Melissa Ostrom author featured in X Ray Literary MagazineX-R-A-Y Magazine nominated my story “Passion” for Best Small Fictions 2022, and I couldn’t be happier! Here’s the piece, if you’d like to read it.

Melissa Ostrom author featured in The Forge Literary MagazineI’m very happy to have a new story in the wonderful literary journal, The Forge. You can read it here: forgelitmag.com

Melissa Ostrom author featured in Constance Malloy Literary MagazineI’m delighted the wonderful writer and editor Constance Malloy asked to interview me. You can check out our conversation here: constancemalloy.com

Melissa Ostrom author featured in Bodega Literary MagazineThe awesome literary journal Bodega recently published my story, “A Future.” You can read it here: bodegamag.com

Melissa Ostrom author featured in Bureau Dispatch Literary MagazineI’m so excited to have a new story called “Three Funerals” in The Bureau Dispatch, a terrific literary journal. Here it is, if you’d like to check it out!

Melissa Ostrom author featured in Cease Cows Literary MagazineThe literary journal Cease, Cows has nominated my prose poem “Exercised Loss” for Best of the Net 2022, and I’m so excited! Here’s a link to the announcement!

Melissa Ostrom in WigleafI am delighted to share the marvelous news that my story “The Brick Place,” originally published in the literary journal trampset, was selected for the Wigleaf Top 50 2022. This is a huge honor, and I’m so excited! Here’s the list of selections, if you’d like to check it out.

Melissa Ostrom in Mom Egg ReviewThe twentieth issue of Mom Egg Review is out, and I’m delighted it includes my story, “Banked for Winter Travel.” MER is an amazing journal. Here’s some information about it, if you’re interested in learning more.

Brockport Central School District author visit with Melissa OstromI had so much fun visiting the Brockport Central School District this April to discuss my contemporary YA novel UNLEAVING with students at the high school and my historical YA novel THE BELOVED WILD with the kids at the middle school. If you’re a librarian, teacher, book club member, or organization leader interested in reading and sharing one of my books and would like me to talk to your students or readers, please feel free to contact me here through my website. I have a few upcoming library and historical society events on my calendar but plenty of free days to schedule more.

Melissa Ostrom short story featured in Fiction Inc. MagazineI’m excited to share that my short story “Acquaintance” found a home in the latest issue of the dream journal Fiction Magazine. You can find out more about this wonderful literary journal here.

Melissa Ostrom author featured in Cease Cows Literary MagazineI have a new prose poem called “Exercised Loss” in the fun and fabulous journal Cease, Cows. Here it is, if you’d like to check it out!

Melissa Ostrom author featured in X-Ray Literary MagazineX-R-A-Y Literary Magazine is such a terrific journal, and I’m so happy to have a story in it. It’s called “Passion,” and you can read it here, if you’d like.

Melissa Ostrom author featured in Cultural DailyThe wonderful poet and professor Bunkong Tuon recently interviewed me for Cultural Daily, and I was so happy to have the opportunity to discuss my novel The Beloved Wild and my writing life. Here’s our conversation, if you’d like to read it.

Melissa Ostrom author featured in Red FezThe January issue of the wonderful magazine Red Fez is out, and one of my photos serves as its cover! Check it out!

Melissa Ostrom author featured in Vishy's BlogFor his impressive book blog, Vishy the Knight wrote a review of my YA historical novel The Beloved Wild, and I’m so grateful for his thoughtful comments and generous praise. Here’s the review, if you’d like to read it.

Melissa Ostrom author featured in Spry LitI have a new CNF flash in the beautiful latest issue of Spry Literary Journal. My piece is called “Borderlands.” Here it is, if you’d like to read it.

Melissa Ostrom author featured in FracturedI’m thrilled and honored the wonderful journal Fractured Literary has nominated my flash “On the Day Meryl Stopped Being Pregnant” for the Best Microfiction 2022 anthology. Here’s the flash, if you missed it!

Melissa Ostrom in Ghost ParachuteI have a new story called “Maggie June” in the terrific literary magazine Ghost Parachute. Here it is, if you’d like to check it out!

I had a wonderful time chatting with blogger Diane Gottlieb for her author interview series. Here’s a link to our conversation, if you want to check it out. Diane’s a talented writer and editor and a generous supporter of other writers. You can find her on Twitter.

Melissa Ostrom author featured in West MatchbookI’m thrilled Matchbook Literary has nominated “Red” for the Best of the Net anthology. Heartfelt thanks to editors Brian Mihok and R. B. Pillay for showing this little tale so much love. Here’s my flash if you’d like to read it!

Melissa Ostrom author featured in TrampsetThe marvelous literary journal Trampset recently published my flash, “The Brick Place.” If you’d like, you can read it here.

Melissa Ostrom author featured in The Madison ReviewThe latest issue of The Madison Review is out, and it includes my short story “The Mary Garden.” If you’d like to learn more about this beautiful journal, here’s a link.

Melissa Ostrom author featured in Gone LawnI love the quirky literary magazine Gone Lawn and am thrilled it has published my stories “Dragon” and “Four Women Named Hope.” You can read my pieces here.

Melissa Ostrom author featured on YouTubeI took part in a Zoom book launch reading to celebrate the publication of the two anthologies Best Microfiction 2021 and Best Small Fictions 2021. You can check it out on YouTube here.

Melissa Ostrom author featured in New Flash FictionI’ve admired the New Flash Fiction Review for a very long time, and I’m thrilled it recently published my piece, “The Flammable Fabric of a Flash.” You can read it here.

Melissa Ostrom author featured in The Denver QuarterlyThe latest issue of the Denver Quarterly is out, and I’m delighted it includes my flash, “The Window.” Here’s a link, if you want to learn more about this awesome journal.

Melissa Ostrom author featured in Sonder PressI’m thrilled to share the news that my story “Red” was chosen to be included in The Best Small Fictions 2021. Here’s a link, if you’d like to check out all of the anthology selections.

Melissa Ostrom author featured in Janus LiteraryI’m thrilled to have a poem in the lovely journal Janus Literary. It’s
called “The Vagaries of Her Plot” and was inspired by the Little Red Riding Hood fairy tale. Here’s a link, if you’d like to check it out…

Melissa Ostrom author featured in FracturedI have a new story “On the Day Meryl Stopped Being Pregnant” in the excellent journal Fractured Lit. Here’s a link, if you’d like to check it out…

Melissa Ostrom author featured in Best Microfiction 2021I’m delighted to share the news that my story “Red” was selected to be included in the Best Microfiction 2021!

Melissa Ostrom author featured in West Virginia University Humanities CenterI had the pleasure of chatting with West Virginia University Humanities Center Director Renée Nicholson about writing. I’m so happy to be part of the university’s Short Talk author series. Here’s a link to our conversation, if you want to watch it…

Melissa Ostrom interview at Advent with AuthorsI’m so happy writer and blogger Sarah Forestwood invited me to take part in this year’s Advent with Authors series. Here’s a link, if you’d like to check out the interview.

Melissa Ostrom Best Small Fictions 2021 for Porcupine LiteraryPorcupine Literary, a journal by and for teachers, recently published my story “Hamlet Who?” I’m thrilled to share the news that this journal’s wonderful editors have now also nominated this story for the anthology, Best Small Fictions 2021.

Melissa Ostrom featured in MonkeybicycleI have a new story out, in the terrific literary journal Monkeybicycle. It’s a quirky superhero tale called, “Super-Absorbent Stella,” and if you’d like, you can read it here.

Melissa Ostrom author featured in West MatchbookI am delighted and grateful that Matchbook Literary, the marvelous journal that published my story “Red,” has now nominated this story for three awards: The Pushcart Prize 2021, Best Small Fictions 2021, and Best Microfiction 2021. Yay! You can read the story here, if you’d like.

Melissa Ostrom author featured in West WigleafI love the literary magazine Matchbook and am delighted to have my Little Red Riding Hood-inspired story “Red” in its latest issue. Here’s a link, if you’d like to check it out…Here’s a link, if you’d like to check it out…

It is a thrill and an honor to have a new piece published in the excellent literary magazine Wigleaf. The story is called “Sam Tree.” Here’s a link, if you’d like to check it out…

My story “Shay’s Lot” has been published in the wonderful literary journal Bending Genres. Here it is, if you’d like to check it out…

Porcupine Literary is a terrific journal for and by teachers, and I’m grateful its excellent editors published my story “Hamlet Who?” in its latest issue. Here’s my piece, if you’d like to read it.

Thanks to Akashic Books for including my flash “Replaced” in their fun “Terrible Twosdays” series. You can read it here.

The beautiful Zizzle Literary Magazine, a publication for young readers, has a new anthology out called Zizzle Selects, and I’m delighted it includes one of my stories. Here’s a link, if you’d like to check out this wonderful anthology.

I’m thrilled my flash “Brass” was selected to be included in The Best Microfiction 2020. And I’m grateful the editors of the excellent journal CHEAP POP nominated it in the first place.

Melissa Ostrom at the Hoad LibraryI had so much fun leading a book talk at Albion’s Hoag Library this November and would like to thank the excellent librarian Michael Magnuson for coordinating this event.

I’m thrilled to see that UNLEAVING is an editors’ pick in the latest issue of Middlebury Magazine. Thanks, editors!

I had fun taking part in this Apparel for Authors interview series. Thanks to Marcelle Heath for inviting me to share my thoughts! Here’s a link if you want to check out the interview…

I’m grateful for the generous book-loving bloggers out there who do so much to promote books and reading. Here’s a nice review of UNLEAVING over at TeenReads…

Thanks to Taylor Nelson for her glowing review of UNLEAVING in Children’s Book & Media Review.

UNLEAVING is receiving some wonderful attention and praise. A heartfelt thanks to professor and writer Bunkong Tuon for his generous review of UNLEAVING in Cultural Weekly.

My essay “Difficult Desire” was published in the wonderful online magazine Women Writers, Women’s Books. In this piece, I reflect on my experience of writing UNLEAVING. If you’re interested in reading this essay, here’s a link…

Zizzle Literary, the journal that recently published my story “Dead Mudge,” received a glowing Kirkus Review, and I’m so glad because I think Zizzle is awesome! Here is the review…

The fabulous literary journal Cheap Pop nominated my flash “Brass” for THE BEST MICROFICTION 2020, and I’m thrilled! Thank you, Cheap Pop!

The Orleans County Heritage Festival was a delight, and I’m grateful that the town of Lyndonville made THE BELOVED WILD their community read. It was an honor to share a day of writing workshops with the Lyndonville High School students. And I loved meeting so many avid readers during my evening book talk at the Yates Community Library. A big, warm thank-you to librarian extraordinaire Emily Cebula for masterminding the fun and making everything happen so smoothly and wonderfully. Emily, you’re the best! Thanks, too, to The Daily News for covering the book talk!

I’m delighted THE BELOVED WILD has been selected as a community-wide read and grateful for Tom Rivers who spread the word about that distinction in this lovely article.

The Orleans County Heritage Festival is coming up next month. If you live in my neck of the western-NY woods, I hope you’ll consider joining in on some of the fun, including my own part in the festivities: a book talk at Yates Community Library (15 N. Main Street, Lyndonville, New York) on Thursday, September 12, at 7:00. I’ll also be signing books that evening. Join us! You can check out all of the week’s special events here: Click here for more info.
I’m thrilled my story “The Rule of the Dead Mother” will appear in the Fall 2019 issue of The Chattahoochee Review. You can learn more about this wonderful magazine here: chattahoocheereview.gsu.edu. I’m also excited to have a flash, entitled “Brass,” forthcoming in October in Cheap Pop. Check out this awesome journal: cheappoplit.com
I’m delighted THE BELOVED WILD has been selected as this year’s “Lyndonville Reads!” community novel, and I am also looking forward to working with the Lyndonville High School students and taking part in the Orleans Heritage Festival events. Here’s the flyer with the relevant information, if you’re interested in joining in on the fun.
UNLEAVING is featured in my old grad school’s newsletter. (Thanks for spreading the word about UNLEAVING, Middlebury!) Here’s a link…
I’m excited to take part in Rochester’s wonderful Genesee Reading Series at Writers and Books. The event is at 7:30 on July 9, 2019. I’ll be reading from and talking a little about THE BELOVED WILD and UNLEAVING. The excellent Alex Sanchez will also be reading from his latest work. We’ll wrap up the evening with a reception. If you’re interested in attending, you can learn more about the event here…
I have some fun engagements coming up in my hometown: a day of workshops at Holley High School in October and, even sooner, a teen writing workshop at Holley’s Community Free Library. This library workshop is on Thursday, July 25, 2019, from 1:00 to 2:00, and you’re invited! If you want to register for the event, here’s a link…
I’m excited that my flash “Dead Mudge” will appear in the next issue of the wonderful bookazine Zizzle. If you like short fiction and kid lit, you ought to check out this publication. It’s gorgeous. Here’s a link to the Zizzle website…
My short story “Adam’s Nose” will appear in the next issue of the terrific Chariton Review. Here’s a link if you want to find out more about this literary journal…
A heartfelt thank-you to Tommy Dean, the fabulous writer and blogger, for interviewing me. I had so much fun answering his questions. Here’s a link to the interview, if you want to read it…
I’m thrilled that my flash “Ruinous Finality” was selected for The Best Small Fictions 2019. What an honor! Thank you, Passages North, for nominating my piece in the first place. Here’s the complete list of the upcoming anthology’s selections, if you want to check it out…
It means a lot to me when bloggers celebrate my novels on their websites. (Thank you, awesome book bloggers!) Here are a couple of the most recent: Jen Ryland and Journey into the Shelves
I’m so happy that the wonderful writer and Kenyon Review blogger Caroline Hagood enjoyed UNLEAVING and asked me some questions about it. You can read our conversation here…
Thank you to We Heart Writing for sharing my guest post “Real, Close, True, Best” on their beautiful website. You can read my post here….
My second book UNLEAVING is out! This novel came straight from my heart, and I’m so happy to see it out in the world. If you read and enjoy the book, I hope you’ll tell your friends about it and share your thoughts in a Goodreads review and on Amazon.
Educator and blogger Shaye Miller does an excellent job of spreading the word about terrific books. I’m grateful she decided to read UNLEAVING and so happy she loved it. You can read her review here…
The wonderful writer and generous blogger, Deborah Kalb, asked me some questions about UNLEAVING. You can read the interview here…
The wonderful writer and generous blogger, Deborah Kalb, asked me some questions about UNLEAVING. You can read the interview here…
Thank you, Forever Young Adult, for selecting UNLEAVING as a most-anticipated March read! Check it out…
One of the warmest, funniest people I’ve met on Twitter is the talented kid lit writer Melissa Roske, and I was so happy when she asked if she could interview me. You can read our exchange here…
I’m grateful for the generous, detailed review of UNLEAVING that the eloquent Sahar shared on her fabulous “Journaling Joy on Sahar’s Blog.” You can read the review here…
Jarrett Lerner is a wonderful writer and a kind human being. He also has an excellent blog and author-interview series. I’m thrilled that he asked me a few questions about my writing. You can read the interview here…
Thank you, Sophie Elaina, for choosing UNLEAVING as a most-anticipated March release! Check it out…
I’m so happy that the terrific YA Books Central wanted to ask me some questions about UNLEAVING and my writing life. They’re doing a giveaway of my novel, too! You can enter to win the book and also read the interview here…
Thank you, Avid Reader, for selecting UNLEAVING as a most-anticipated March release! Check it out…
I’m thrilled the blogger Sam of the wonderful “We Live and Breathe Books” read UNLEAVING and enjoyed it. You can read her kind review here…
Stephanie Johnston of Forever Young Adult writes witty, smart, engaging reviews, and she wrote one such review of UNLEAVING. (Thank you, Stephanie!) You can read what she had to say about my novel here…
Booklovers in the Rochester area: I’ll be signing copies of THE BELOVED WILD and UNLEAVING at Barnes & Noble in Greece, NY, on Friday, April 5, from 6:00 to 8:00, at their annual Spring Author Event, and I hope you’ll stop by and say hello!

My book launch for UNLEAVING is coming up, and you’re all invited! The generous team over at Lift Bridge Book Shop in Brockport, NY will be hosting the event on Saturday, April 6, at 2:00. I’ll be signing books, and we’ll have plenty of cake and cookies. Join us!
If you live in or near Batavia, New York, I’ll be visiting the Richmond Memorial Library there for a book talk on Tuesday, April 9, 2019, at 6:30, in the Gallery Room. Join us! Here’s a link.
It came as a lovely surprise that the warm and wonderful poet Georgia Bellas wanted to feature some of my short fiction on her award-winning radio hour, Mr. Bear’s Violet Hour Saloon. She did such an amazing job reading my stories and weaving in beautiful music. Here’s a link to the podcast, if you’d like to listen.
Paul Brookes invited me on his book blog to discuss my writing. (Thank you, Paul!) Here’s a link, if you want to read the interview.
I’m thrilled the gorgeous literary journal Storm Cellar includes my poem “Conservation” in its latest issue. Here’s a link, if you want to learn about or subscribe to this topnotch magazine.
A heartfelt thanks to those generous bloggers out there like Book Birds and Books at Dawn who are featuring UNLEAVING and helping my book reach readers. I appreciate you from the bottom of my heart!
A big thank-you to Booklist for featuring UNLEAVING in its “Review of the Day” series (and for talking about my book so kindly, too)! Click here!
The New York City Teen Author Festival 2019 is coming up quickly! Click here for more info! If you live in or near NYC, I would love to meet you! These are the three events that I’m taking part in:

  • “Speaking the Truth” panel on Sat., March 30, 1:00 to 3:00, Symposium (42nd St. NYPL, Bartos Forum)
  • “Giving Voice to the Teen Experience” panel on Sat., March 30, 7:00, McNally Jackson
  • Book Signing on Sunday, March 31, 2:30 to 3:00, Books of Wonder
One more heartfelt thank-you to Editor Tom Rivers and Publisher Karen Sawicz of The Orleans Hub for granting me a community service award. The ceremony at the Hoag Library was a moving experience! Here’s a link if you want to read the article about the event.
I love hearing from people who enjoyed THE BELOVED WILD and am grateful when they take the time to share their thoughts about the book on Goodreads or in their blogs. Kiss the Book, a wonderful blog that includes librarians’ reviews of children’s literature, had such nice things to say about my historical YA debut. Reviewer C. Peterson wrote, “I got caught up in the book and totally enjoyed it. Harriet is spunky and although she sometimes makes immature decisions, it’s fun to watch her grow-up and learn from the world around her.” Here’s a link if you want to read the entire review and learn about the other books the reviewers are recommending.
melissa ostrom at amelia bloomer projectEvery year, the Amelia Bloomer Project (part of the American Library Association’s Feminist Task Force) recommends books with significant feminist content, and I’m thrilled and honored that the committee selected THE BELOVED WILD. Here’s the complete 2019 list, if you want to check it out.
I’d like to thank all of the wonderful media groups and book bloggers who are reading and sharing Unleaving, my YA contemporary novel coming out on March 26, 2019. They include…

  • Book Riot
  • YA Books Central</a
  • The Perpetual Page-Turner
  • The Miller Memo
  • Bookish Tiffany
  • We Live and Breathe Books
  • Epeak World News

I’m thrilled and honored that two excellent literary journals recently nominated stories I published last year for the Best Small Fictions 2019 award. Thank you, Passages North, for nominating “Ruinous Finality,” and thanks, New South Journal, for selecting “Strategies for Elegy.”

Unleaving received its first professional review, and I’M SO EXCITED! It’s over on my Novels page, if you want to check it out. (Thank you, Booklist!)

Fierce Reads is doing a Goodreads giveaway of an advanced copy of my forthcoming novel Unleaving. Check it out!

I’m so happy Kendall Jr./Sr. High School invited me to be the guest author for World Read Aloud Day on Friday, February 1. I taught English at Kendall for eleven years, so the school holds a special place in my heart. I’ll be reading from my books and discussing writing with students, and I can’t wait! I have some other high school, college, and library visits coming up in the next few months. The one at Richmond Memorial Library in Batavia, New York, on April 9, 2019, at 6:30, is open to the public, and if you live in the area, I’d love to see you there!

I am honored and touched that the Orleans Hub named me one of Orleans County’s 2018 Outstanding Citizens. A heartfelt thank-you to that newspaper’s wonderful editor, Tom Rivers. Here’s Tom’s article, if you want to check it out: orleanshub.com Also, if you live in or near Orleans County, New York, please feel free to stop by and say hello on the occasion of the awards ceremony. It will be held at 6:30 PM on Wednesday, February 20, 2019, at the Hoag Library in Albion. Click here…

Melissa Ostrom Unleaving in Pop Goes the ReaderThe wonderful MG and YA lit blog POP! GOES THE READER has up its 150 most-anticipated young adult books of 2019, and I’m thrilled that Unleaving is included. (Thank you, book blogger Jen!) Click here for the list…

Melissa Ostrom author at the 2019 NYC Teen Author FestivalThe 2019 NYC Teen Author Festival is coming up at the end of March, and I’m excited to take part in the events again this year. I will be signing copies of Unleaving and participating in a panel or two on Saturday, March 30, and Sunday, March 31. I’ll share the specific details soon! Here’s the Facebook event page….

If you’re in the Webster, New York, area on Saturday, December 1, please stop by Barnes & Noble and say hello. I will be signing copies of The Beloved Wild there from 3:00 to 5:00 and would love to see you!

On Saturday, December 8, I’ll be signing copies of The Beloved Wild from 11:00 to 1:00 at the Barnes & Noble in Greece, New York. This event supports the Greece Arcadia Library Bookfair fundraiser. Plus, it’s Educator Shopping Day, which means all educator cardholders will receive 25% off their personal purchases and 10% off in the café. It should be a fun day, and I would love to meet you if you happen to live in the area!

I’m so grateful that the wonderful writer Kirby Larson hosted me on her “Friend Friday” blog. I wrote about the boy-disguise trope featured in so many historical novels, including my own, The Beloved Wild. Here’s a link…

It makes me happy to see The Beloved Wild mentioned in my alma mater’s magazine. The news of my publication was included in the college’s online newsletter, too. Here’s a link…

The Beloved Wild in BuzzfeedThanks, BuzzFeed, for recommending The Beloved Wild in “5 Historical Fiction Reads for the Teen in Your Life” (and for giving me four more books to add to my own TBR pile!) Here’s the article…

Melissa Ostrom's The Beloved Wild in The Buffalo NewsHow wonderful to see The Beloved Wild get some local love! Thanks for the great review in The Buffalo News, Jean Westmoore! Here’s what Jean has to say…

melissa ostrom at bookloversKester, the bright and wonderful creator of LILbooKlovers, interviewed me. I love the questions he asked! Here’s our conversation…

melissa ostrom at Book Q&As with Deborah KalbDeborah Kalb, the writer and blogger, interviewed me. She’s a history buff, and that really shows in the great questions she posed. Here is the interview, if you’d like to check it out… Click here.

The Amelia Bloomer Project blog creates an annual booklist of the best feminist novels for young readers, and I’m thrilled to see that The Beloved Wild was nominated for the 2019 list!

On Tuesday, May 29, 2018, from 7:00 to 8:00, I’ll be at the Mendon Public Library to read from and discuss my YA debut, The Beloved Wild. Teens and adults are welcome to attend the evening event, but please call soon to register: 585-624-6067.

I had a nice conversation with the local reporter Matt Krueger, and he wrote a sweet article for The Daily News. Here it is!

Adventures in YA Publishing interviewed me. I love the questions they asked. If you’re interested in checking out this interview, you can read it here.

Writer’s Bone is a terrific platform for authors. It offers especially wonderful audio interviews. I’m so lucky and happy that they invited me to be one of their interviewees. If you’d like to listen to me chat with Caitlin, a smart, kind podcaster, Here’s a link.

Fierce Reads invited me to submit a post for their YA author blog. I wrote about the inspiration for The Beloved Wild. Here’s my piece!

Melissa Ostrom at Monkey Bicycle.Monkeybicycle, one of the best online literary journals out there, runs a fabulous series for debut authors called “If My Book.” In each installment, the writer compares his or her new novel to something interesting and (oftentimes) strange. James Tate Hill, the magazine’s wonderful fiction editor, invited me to try my hand at a response. It was a fun exercise! You can read what I came up with here.

Melissa Ostrom at Booklovers.Kester, the smart and fabulous creator of the book blog LILbooKlovers, writes lovely reviews and conducts interesting, nicely detailed author interviews. And this week, he kindly wrote a beautiful review of The Beloved Wild. Here’s a link if you would like to check it out.

Melissa Ostrom at Orleans County Genealogical Society.On April 8, 2018, at 7:00, I’m looking forward to being the Orleans County Genealogical Society’s guest speaker! Author of her newly released historical adventure set in rural 1807 New Hampshire, Melissa Ostrom will be the guest speaker for the April 8th, 2018 OCGS meeting. Event details.

Melissa Ostrom at Genesee Community College.GCC News issues a press release regarding The Beloved Wild… Melissa Ostrom, known to many as an extraordinarily gifted teacher of English Composition at the Albion Campus Center of Genesee Community College and also known as a widely published short story writer, is now being recognized as an accomplished young adult fiction author. Here’s a link to read more.

Review of Melissa Ostrom's The Beloved Wild in The Batavian “The Beloved Wild: GCC Professor Pens First Novel, Inspired by Genesee Valley History,” The Batavian article by Maria Pericozzi Melissa Ostrom, an English literature professor at Genesee Community College, describes the Genesee Valley as having a big sky and rich soil. Read it here.

Interview of Melissa Ostrom in The Passed Note.The latest issue of The Passed Note is out! This is a wonderful online teen lit magazine, led by the incomparable editor Stephanie Johnson. And the newest issue includes an interview with me! Here’s a link if you’d like to read it.

Melissa Ostrom at the 2018 NYC Teen Author Festival.I was invited to take part in the 2018 NYC Teen Author Festival, and I am SO EXCITED! On Saturday, March 24, at McNally Jackson, 7:00 PM, I’ll be participating in an “Into the Wilds” panel discussion. And on Sunday, March 25, at Books of Wonder, from 2:30 to 3:00, I will be signing books. If you live in or near the NYC area and love YA fiction, you should attend! You’ll meet dozens of terrific writers. And it’s free and open to the public! Here’s a link to all the details.

Melissa Ostrom Launch Party at the Life Bridge Bookstore.My book launch party for The Beloved Wild will be at Lift Bridge Bookstore (45 Main Street, Brockport, New York 14420) on April 14, 2018, and you are invited to attend! I will be signing books and reading a bit from the novel. If you’re interested in purchasing my book from Lift Bridge (and I hope you are because it’s an AWESOME indie bookstore; check them out at liftbridgebooks.com), just give them a call (585-637-2260) to reserve a copy. This book launch is going to be fun. Will there be cake? Yes. A really BIG cake.

Melissa Ostrom at the Hoag LibraryOn Thursday, April 26, in the Curtis Room of the Hoag Library in Albion, New York, 7:00 PM, we’re celebrating our local pioneer past! I will be reading from The Beloved Wild, discussing how the history of the Orleans County settlers inspired me to write my novel, and also signing books. This event (sponsored by the Cobblestone Society and Museum, Hoag Library, the Orleans Chapter DAR, and the Orleans County Historical Association) is free and open to the public. Join us!

The Beloved Wild is a Spring 2018 Junior Library Guild selection.Junior Libary Guild Selection
I am delighted to share the news that The Beloved Wild is a Junior Library Guild Selection for Spring 2018, and very grateful to the JLG for the honor.

Melissa Ostrom 2018 Pushcart Prize nominee for short storiesIn its next issue, New South will be publishing my short story, “Strategies for Elegy,” but the journal is featuring one of my micro flashes on its website right now. “Five Minutes Past Noon”: my nod to Little Red Riding Hood. Click here to read.

Melissa Ostrom 2018 Pushcart Prize nominee for short stories2018 Pushcart Prize short fiction nominee for “Safety Measures”
I’d like to thank YARN, the fabulous literary journal for young adult readers, for nominating my short story “Safety Measures” for the 2018 Pushcart Prize. I’m thrilled! Click here to read.