That is a gorgeous book cover. 

Ancilla is competing in Romance.

Excavations is competing in Poetry.

UPDATE (10/18/2024) - 

Ancilla took third place in Romance.

Excavations took first place in poetry. 

This happened the day after I found out I was shortlisted for the Ambys... for my poetry. I really can't wrap my mind around this. 

My poetry is mediocre. It's better than a lot of what people write, admittedly, but it will never be Nobel material. I will never be a Poet Laureate of my country, or even of the state that I live in. I will never be included in a Norton Anthology and force-fed to undergrads who need to satisfy requirements for their English major. I don't see why people are making a big deal out of me if I am okay, maybe even good, but not great. I don't.

I am a flaming mediocrity who will be forgotten by history. That is all.