Audio Version of Unidentified Flying Objects

A couple years ago, when I got brave enough to start writing fiction, I discovered what's now one of my favorite writing competitions, Writer's Playground. I remember reading a story from their first winning challenge and being floored: here was a story that established tension, stakes, and emotional resonance quicker than many novels I'd recently read. It was the stories they shared, like Despite the Wind by Holly Brandon and A Suitcase of Colors by Annie Wilkins, that helped me realize exactly what kind of writing I wanted to do.

Writer's Playground recently started a podcast reading a selection of stories from their contests. I am thrilled that they asked to read mine! I put so much into this story and it's really special to hear Mariana read it. They also call out a line I absolutely obsessed over, changing it back and forth approximately four hundred times.

"It's okay," I whispered, "to be scared."

If you'd like to listen, it's here on Youtube and also on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!