It was my pleasure to join the talented authors Caroline Hagood and James Tate Hill for a Lip Balm Reading Series event. Here’s a link to the video, if you’re interested!
This story was originally published in the awesome X-R-A-Y Literary Magazine, and you can read it here.
There’s no finer yearly compilation of flashes than the Wigleaf Top 50, and I’m so excited my piece “Passion” was included on this year’s longlist!
I’ve admired the literary journal Frigg for a long time, and I’m thrilled they recently accepted and published three flashes of mine. Here’s a link, if you’d like to check them out, along with the rest of the latest issue! friggmagazine.com
Earlier 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.
X-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.
I’m very happy to have a new story in the wonderful literary journal, The Forge. You can read it here: forgelitmag.com
I’m delighted the wonderful writer and editor Constance Malloy asked to interview me. You can check out our conversation here: constancemalloy.com
The awesome literary journal Bodega recently published my story, “A Future.” You can read it here: bodegamag.com
I’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!
The 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!
I 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.
The 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.
I 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.
I’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.
I 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!
X-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.
The 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.
The January issue of the wonderful magazine Red Fez is out, and one of my photos serves as its cover! Check it out!
For 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.
I 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.
I’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!
I 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.
I’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!
The marvelous literary journal Trampset recently published my flash, “The Brick Place.” If you’d like, you can read it here.
The 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.
I 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.
I 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.
I’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.
The 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.
I’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.
I’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…
I 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…
I’m delighted to share the news that my story “Red” was selected to be included in the Best Microfiction 2021!
I 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…
I’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.
Porcupine 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.
I 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.
I 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.
I 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.
I 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.
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 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


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.


The wonderful writer and generous blogger, Deborah Kalb, asked me some questions about UNLEAVING. You can read the interview here…












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.


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!


- “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



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…
The 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…
The 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…
Thanks, 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…
How 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…
Kester, the bright and wonderful creator of LILbooKlovers, interviewed me. I love the questions he asked! Here’s our conversation…
Deborah 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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
“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.
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.
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.
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.
On 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!
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.
In 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.
2018 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.