I am delighted to announce that two 2020 publications of Moon Shadow Sanctuary Press have won prizes!

purifying wind, an anthology of poetry for nature lovers, has claimed first place in the editorial category and at the state level in a 2021 contest sponsored by the National Federation of Press Women. NFPW represents professionals and students working across the communications spectrum in the United States. The title advanced to the national level, winning an Honorable Mention there.

I am grateful to contest judges for choosing the work and to the many contributors whose writing made the book possible. Congratulations to you All and Thank You for trusting Moon Shadow Sanctuary Press with your work!

I learned of this contest through a purifying wind contributor, Maria King Illich, also a contributor to the anthology, Through Layered Limestone for which I served as managing editor. Her poem in that anthology entitled, “Cibolo Creek Addresses Humanity” won second place in this same contest in 2020. And, Maria’s short story, “Dark Phoenix,” that first appeared in purifying wind, won second place in the short story category of this contest this year! Congrats, Maria! Well done!

Also, my new book of poetry, what she holds, a memoir in poetic form, has won second prize in the books of poetry category in a contest sponsored by the same organization!

I am grateful for the recognition and affirmation that winning a prize like this gives my work both as an editor and as a poet.

If you haven’t read either of these offerings by MSSP, please do! Both books are available at The Twig Bookshop in San Antonio. what she holds is available from Book Woman in Austin and both are available on Amazon. Just click those links provided above to buy from any source. However, if you want a signed copy, send me a message here and I’ll put one in the mail to you!

Just for fun, here I am reading “Passage” by Chella Courington (author of the novella, Adele and Tom) from purifying wind to entice you.

Thanks for reading and for listening! It is a precious thing to be heard.

Ciao!

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