The An Cathach manuscript. Photo by Annie Gormlie, used under Creative Commons license. 

Just found out my poem “The Battler” made the shortlist for the “Lining our Thoughts” poetry competition from Anam Cara retreat in Ireland. The poem compares my experience advising my teen writing group to an old Irish legend of a holy book with special powers.

While winning an award (or in this case, a free stay at the retreat) would have been exciting, I find it equally valuable to know my work was viewed as quality.

I will eventually–somehow–make it back to Ireland to stay at this lovely writers retreat.