May 2017-2018: In the last year, my writing life and career has taken off incredibly. Why? It all started when I moved across country to start my MFA in Writing and Publishing at Vermont College of Fine Arts.

I thought I’d list the changes here. This isn’t for bragging rights but to say thank you for all who support me, encourage me, and all that good stuff. You know who you are. So, thank you.

• MFA writing program began in Vermont and from there…
• Met so many inspiring writers, building a sense of community, peers and friends.
• My own writing has opened up in new ways and forms.
• Discovered a joy in writing short-shorts/ micro-memoirs.
• Short stories published.
• Book reviews pubished.
• Director’s Award (MFAWP).
• Vermont Book Award Fellowship.
• AWP Mentorship.
• PGWC partial scholarship.
• Merit scholarship (MFAW).
• Honorable mention – Glimmer Train – short story.
• Top 25 finalist – Glimmer Train – flash fiction.
• Top 5 finalist – Writing by Writer’s contest.
• “Headhunted” by the top US Land Rover magazine, Rovers North.
• Started Wanderlust-Journal, learning how to run an online journal, using Submittable, marketing, growing an audience, and with over 19,800 views in six months.
• Editorial work with Upstreet and Hunger Mountain Reviews.
• Developed a stronger social media presence to create a larger community of writers, especially via Twitter.
• Learned how to develop a teaching philosophy/ lessons for workshops and lectures.
• Written professional CVs and resumes, a media kit, updating regularly.
• Created a professional submissions letter which has rewarded me with many a rejection (68 to be exact) plus all the new accolades and scholarships.
• Connected with various indie presses and publishers, and I plan to stay in touch with a few of them.
• Written artist statement/ letter of intentions for applications which serves to focus my goals as a writer.
• I’ve had some encouraging conversations with literary agents who decided not to take me on saying the writing was intruiging and solid but my aesthetic/ voice wasn’t their style.
• Two new novels written and are being revised alone and in workshops.
• Over 100 short stories written and currently being collected/ revised/ played with.
• Joined the South West Writers Association and have a profile on their website.
• Reached out to the Sante Fe Writer’s Project/ Quarterly, they’re going to publish a book review in July.
• Set up a writer’s retreat at my place in NM via Wanderlust journal website and submittable.
• Pubishing on Medium.com with travel essays.

In other words, for me, the MFA has been more than worth it and I’m only just finishing the first year. I’m switching to a low-residency program so that I can live and study from home for the second year. I’ll be able to continue working freelance, writing, and putting into practice much of these new skills. My only concern is losing that sense of a writers’ community when I’m back in New Mexico and so a large focus will be for me to reach out and maintain connections and conversations with other writers and creatives.

I feel like I’m about to take off and fly. Thank you my friends. For all you have done for me, for believing in me, for wanting me to succeed.

Sleam