New book award for Drink Wine, 2023 Shelf Unbound Best Indie Book Competition

What can I say? I’m thrilled that my short story collection, Drink Wine and Be Beautiful, has claimed its third literary award.

So excited this Italian-themed collection has been named a Notable Indie for the Shelf Unbound 2023 Best Indie Book prize.

While I’m always thrilled to receive book awards, it means even more with my short story collection. It is thanks to this collection that  became an indie author. When shopping this collection around to agents and traditional publishers, I tìred of hearing “Give up on short story collections. No one wants to read them. They don’t sell.”

Being a bit stubborn, I thought, “Who says they don’t sell?” and I began my indie author career.

Not only has this collection sold, it’s garnered impressive reveiews and three litarary awards.

So thrilled I bucked “traditional knowledge” on this one and put this collection out on my own. I’ve had the chance to hear from readers, reviewers and award judges, and I learned … that readers DO appreciate short story collections!

Here’s the blurb:

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.

Thank you to the judges for your much appreciated selection. And thank you to readers for taking a chance on my collection!

Viva short stories!