Preparing my next publication – a short story collection

I’ve been super busy as 2022 comes to a close.

After my first three novels, I decided to break with routine and to publish a short story collection.

I have loved writing short stories – and some of the stories in this collection have won prizes or been included in anthologies and magazines. Others were newly written the past two years.

I sent my collection through my editor and proofreader, and now I’m going through the last review before we start formatting and cover deisgn. No one tells you when you start to write that you’ll read you own work (seemingly) hundreds of times during the publishing process.

Here’s a bit about the collection.

Italian Tales of love, betrayal, longing, desire – and hope

Italy serves as the backdrop for stories of Italian women and expatriate women living in Italy.

A freak snowstorm in Rome changes the travel plans of two women, touching their lives in ways they could never have imagined. An ambitious Italian professional working in Brussels rails inwardly at her privileged boss, until fate presents her with a rare opportunity. A long desired trip to Bali, Indonesia serves as a needed chance for introspection. A cautious housewife in Rome thinks back to a fateful missed connection in Florence. A first-time mother feels debilitating guilt for not bonding with her newborn, until an elderly neighbor provides her with a new perspective.

The twenty-one stories in this collection follow women’s lives as they confront betrayal and love, alienation and community, despair and-ultimately-hope.

I’m hoping to get this out for early editorial reviews in February, and to also get this short story collection up on NetGalley for early reader reviews. Hoping those of you who love short stories will consider requesting!

The plan now is to publish in May 2023.

Excited to get Drink Wine and Be Beautiful out into the world next year!