Back in April of 2020—soon to be known as That Year We Don’t Talk About—my debut short story collection was published by Trepidatio Publishing, an imprint of JournalStone. Because everyone wants to achieve a bucket list item in the middle of a global pandemic, right?

On January 22nd of 2021—already known as The Year We Hope Will be Better—I slept late. When I woke up, rolled over, and grabbed my phone, the first thing I saw was a text from Michelle Renee Lane telling me The Cuckoo Girls made the Bram Stoker Award Preliminary Ballot in the Fiction Collection category. To say I was shocked is an understatement. What a way to wake up.

It’s been two weeks since I got the news, and I’m still surprised and inordinately happy every time I think about it.

This is not a nomination (for those familiar with other awards, it’s a bit like a long list), but I’m thrilled (another understatement) to see it get this far. Active and Lifetime members of the Horror Writers Association are currently voting on the Preliminary Ballot, with the results—the actual nominees—to be announced later this month.

I’m awestruck to be in such great company. As always, I’m pleased to see some of my favorites make the list and sad to see others overlooked, but congratulations to all with work on the preliminary list. I’m doing the happy dance for all of you.

You can see the complete Preliminary Ballot list at the HWA website and visit the links below to learn more about The Cuckoo Girls or buy a copy.

“Lillie makes the unreal feel all too possible…. This grim, witchy collection will grab anyone looking for a subtle fright.” —from the Publishers Weekly starred review.

Find The Cuckoo Girls at:

• Journalstone (Publishers website. Print, Kindle, epub, and pdf available. Order the paperback and get an immediate download of a free electronic copy!)
• Bookstore.org
• Amazon: Print or Kindle
• Barnes & Noble (Print or digital. eBook works with Apple Books and other ebook readers.)

How about that great cover? Every time I look at it, I fall in love with it all over again. It’s by the wonderfully talented Don Noble at Rooster Republic Press, where they also publish amazing books.