I found out today that my novella, The Laws of Drowning and Rhetoric, is a finalist in Curbside Splendor's Second-Annual Wild Onion Novella Contest, which is fucking amazing and wonderful (though I won't let myself get too excited because the other three finalists are all talented and worthy).  For those of you not familiar with Curbside Splendor, it's one of the best indie presses in the whole goddamn world (it's true).  And what's even more awesome, Curbside Splendor is a Chicago joint, which makes me happy and proud to be part of this contest since Chicago is and will always be my hometown.  The winner will be announced in the beginning of December, but I'm not gonna lie, it would be fucking incredible to win this contest.  It would be a dream come true.  It would help build my career.  It would help me stay connected to my city forever.  It would be incredibly encouraging too.  And considering that I've been working on this novella for ten years since I started my MFA, it would be life-changing for all the work I put into this manuscript.  But for now, we'll have just have to wait and see.  Fingers crossed, man.  Fingers crossed.