I'm a semifinalist in the Screencraft Cinematic Short Story Competition

One of my stories is a semifinalist! Top 36 out of 800 submissions. Thank you Screencraft for the honor. This feels especially sweet since the story takes place in the Druid Hills neighborhood of Atlanta (hometown shoutout!). This story, as well as the two others that made it to the quarterfinals, are in my book Reclaiming Eros: A Heroine’s Journey.

https://screencraft.org/blog/2023-screencraft-cinematic-short-story-competition-semifinalists/

Three of my short stories are quarterfinalists for the 2023 Screencraft Cinematic Short Story Competition!

After 2+ years of pandemic stagnancy (well I was getting a Masters degree, but I was definitely missing the JUICE from daily life), I declared 2023 my year of CREATIVITY. I've been writing more (just finished my first full-length stage play - more on that soon) and am about to go on a little tour to promote my short film, The Dance After the Last Dance.

I've also been submitting my work to various labs, retreats, and competitions. I saw the Screencraft Cinematic Short Story Competition and thought, "Why not! I always see my work cinematically when I'm writing it." So I submitted four stories and three have gone on to the next round (out of 800 submissions)! No matter how the semifinals/finals go, I am excited to finally have a little more creative fuel to keep me going throughout 2023 :)

View the full list here: https://screencraft.org/blog/2023-screencraft-cinematic-short-story-competition-quarterfinalists/

My book "Reclaiming Eros: A Heroine's Journey" now available on Amazon

Available now on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2zaecS2

What is eros? How does eros relate to sex? How can archetypes guide one on the journey of reclaiming eros? These are just a few of the questions presented in Reclaiming Eros: A Heroine’s Journey. Reclaiming Eros is a shamanic initiation into erotic living as told through the lens of six feminine archetypes—Virgin, Whore, Warrior, Queen, Nun, Mother—whose stories are based on the author's descent into her own dormant desires. Using social and scholarly commentary, poetry, and fiction, Reclaiming Eros guides the reader on an inner erotic voyage—a heroine's journey that goes far beyond sex to the very core of that which makes us human.

Screenings, Festivals, and Workshops (Oh My!)

Photo from "Rise/Vulnerable Rally" shoot in Oakland, CA

So much has been happening over the past several months. With all the flurry of activity, it's been hard to keep up! So here's the breakdown of all the places you can catch me over the summer (with more to come:

1. Join me at SoulPlay Festival June 7-10, where I will be co-facilitating Blindfolded Contact with Gabriel Diamond as well as teaching my own workshop, Heal Your Relationship To The Feminine.

2. The short film I wrote, Generations, will be playing at the Empress Theatre on June 14 in Vallejo, CA. More info can be found on the FB invite.

3. The music video I co-produced/co-directed with Gabriel Diamond, "Rise/Vulnerable Rally," will have its festival world premiere at the Dances With Films Festival at the Chinese Theatre in LA on June 15. After the screening will be a Vulnerable Rally. 

4. I will be co-teaching two classes at the Northern California Dance Collective's Summer Dance Camp June 15-24: Blindfolded Contact & Somatic Consent.

5. June 27 at 7pm I will be co-teaching Blindfolded Contact with Gabriel Diamond before Ecstatic Dance. 

6. June 29 Gabriel Diamond and I will be facilitating a 3-hour long Blindfolded Contact workshopin Berkeley, CA from 7-10pm.

7. My book, Reclaiming Eros: A Heroine's Journey, is nearing the finish line! Stay up to date by joining my mailing list.

More to come dear ones in the coming months...

COME BE A PART OF A FILM I WROTE: "GENERATIONS"

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Photo by Kourosh Ahari

I am thrilled to announce that a short film I wrote, Generations, is currently in pre-production and will begin shooting in Spring 2017. My dear friend, George Maguire, approached me in September to write a film about family secrets & coming to terms with one's heritage. The film is inspired by his own life & family history. After writing a few drafts, we quickly assembled our amazing creative team: Kourosh Ahari (director), Alex Bretow (producer) & Nancy Madden (associate producer/cast). This project is deeply personal and a labor of love for us all.

Please take a moment to watch the video and check out some of our fun perks. And remember that your contribution is 100% tax-deductible--so get it in before December 31.

https://igg.me/at/generationsthefilm/x/46854

This is a huge creative step for me as a writer & artist. I hope you all will continue to be a part of that journey by donating and/or sharing this post. You can also like our FB page: https://www.facebook.com/generationsthefilm/

Much love to you all and thank you for your support.

ABOUT THE FILM

GENERATIONS is a film that follows the story of Bill, a doctor who must learn to accept himself after tragedy at work and family conflict provoke him to discover the truth about his lineage.

GENERATIONS explores how vulnerability can be a catalyst for moving through personal shame and ancestral wounding—a journey that can help heal generations of the past and generations yet to come.