Just wanted to share THREE [like the Tootsie Pop Owl) of the best things from September!

(1) THE MANOR: I had the privilege of reconnecting with some old friends! Thom and Eddie now own The [historic] Manor in Greenville, PA and are in the process of a full restoration. It’s a later 1800s Second Empire house, famous for its paranormal activity. (Tragic and fascinating family history, and The Manor was a funeral home for several decades). Please check them out on social. They have a lot of phenomenal things going on there. They are featured on HGTV’s Scariest House in America tomorrow (10/3) at nine, EST.

(2) SCRIBBLE HOUSE: I had a blast with friends reading at Scribble House. They host an open mic with feedback (usually monthly) at Nico’s Recovery Room…AND, they’re hosting a Lit Fest Sunday, November 16th, from 2-8. Definitely keep this great literary organization on your radar:

https://www.scribblehousepgh.com/

(3) WANA Conference: WANA resumed it’s writer’s conference this year. Unfortunately, I couldn’t attend, but, as expected, I heard wonderful things. I’m a proud WANA member, and they do a lot to support Northern Appalachian writers. Please, keep up with WANA’s reading series and upcoming events.

https://writersassociationofnorthernappalachia.org/

https://www.erielitfest.com/

LEAF at Frontier Park, 1501 W 6th St, Erie, PA 16505

Getting Shelf Space in bookstores is quite challenging. Thanks to these generous, independent bookstores who make space for local authors. Keep them in mind when you’re out and about.

A New Chapter, Lewisburg, WV: https://newchapterbookswv.com/

Riverstone Books, Pittsburgh, PA: https://www.riverstonebookstore.com/

Watershed Books, Brookville, PA: https://bookshop.org/shop/twjlg

The Raven’s End, Oil City, PA: https://www.theravensend.com/

See you there, 10AM-2PM, Central Plaza, Oil City Library, Oil City, PA.

https://oilregionlibraries.org/events-programs/fotb/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOytyRpjZ1A&t=1034s

Last Thursday’s reading, hosted by Chatham’s MFA and Chatham’s Womens’ Institute, was really a Cinderella-at-the-ball kind of event! It was truly everything a lowly writer dreams about. Brilliant, engaged students. Beautiful campus. Great turn-out. Generous faculty. Special thanks to David Blackmore and Shelia Squillante for including In the Cut as reading in the Northern Appalachian Writer’s curriculum. And a very special thanks to Kristy Mahoney for the wonderful introduction. And, as always, it was an honor to read with Linda Shafino, my neighborhood girl, again. Now, back to scrubbing floors and sweating over those long-suffering prose!

What a great time at WCoNA’s annual conference! See you all next year!

Big Congratulations to the awesome Laura Jackson, whose book Deep and Wild won Book of the Year!

https://www.autumnhouse.org/books/deep-wild/

Watershed is a phenomenal origination the genuinely supports authors and the advancement of literature in Western PA. Winter 2025 is a particularly beautiful issue, guested-edited by the talented Donna Dzurilla, with featured writer, Daniella Buccilli. A lot of great voices in here.

Keep the Watershed on your radar:

https://thewatershedjournal.org/

WCONA Press Release, Littsburgh:

https://www.littsburgh.com/the-2025-book-of-the-year-shortlist-for-the-wcona-writers-conference-of-northern-appalachia/

Fox 8 TV WCONA Short List Interview with Kimberly McElhatten, Writer’s Conference of Norther Appalachia:

https://www.fox8tv.com/newspost/short-list/

It’s always a homecoming. Carlow’s MFA is a generous community of writers and a program that includes alumni in their residencies. I’m so looking forward! Even comes wit the honor of having introduced some amazing writers: Nick White, John Boyne, & Natanya Ann Pulley. This year, the honor is Rebecca Bernard, author of Our Sister Who Will Not Die. I tell you… I DO! This is a SOLID collection. A god-like mastery of short fiction!

https://rebeccaibernard.com/

Thrilled to be included in this Pushcart list for Appalachian Lit, along with Thaddeus Rutkowski, Paul Hertnecky, Chauna Craig, Jason Irwin, and Torli Bush. CHECK THESE WRITERS OUT!!!!

This is a great to-read list for folks looking for literature that represents our region, Northern Appalachia. (OK. OK. I’m on there too). I’m anxious to read my way through the book list!!

https://www.littsburgh.com/announcing-the-2025-wcona-writers-conference-of-northern-appalachia-book-of-the-year-longlist/

Eventbrite Registration:

https://www.riverstonebookstore.com/events/an-evening-with-linda-schifino-michael-lockett-and-valerie-bacharach

I'm looking forward to FOBA, downtown Ebensburg, PA. Stop by and say hello on Saturday, the 21st. This year's featured author in Jennifer Haigh, author of Back Towers and Heat & Light. Saturday's a family-friendly event with a children's tent. It's a real book nerd's paradise. See you there!

https://festivalofbooks.org/

The Striped Orange Cat In the Turtleneck, Still: The Journal

https://www.stilljournal.net/

“—I will rate this book 5 out of 5 stars because some of the stories in the book bear lessons that can help those battling certain traumas. Also, I believe “Gallows’ Hills” is one with a very deep meaning and lesson for readers.”