The only aspiration I have for my writing is that my readers will be moved in some way, that they will find wisdom, solace, comfort, joy, and humor in my words. If my writing can do any or all of those things for my readers than my writing is not in vain.

Ohioana Library Association, Hamilton County Committee Program in Honor of Hamilton County Authors, March 25, 2012; November 7, 1999.
Thurber Treat Humor Writing Contest, winner, 2006.
E. M. Koeppel Short Fiction Award, Honorable Mention, 2005.
Nominee, Ohioana Book Award, 2005.
Dogwood Fiction Prize, 2004.
Potomac Review Fiction Contest, finalist, 2004.
Confluences Short Story Contest, Third Place, 2003.
Arts & Letters Fiction Prize finalist, 2003.
Ohio University Fusion Project, First Place - short story contest, 2002.
Fish Short Story Contest, story short-listed, 2002.
The Mesa Refuge, Point Reyes, CA. Residency awarded by Common Counsel Foundation, June 2001.
Napa Valley Writers' Conference Scholarship, 1997.
Ohio Arts Council Professional Development Assistance Award, 1994.
Bennington Summer Writing Workshop Scholarship, 1994.
Walking America Writing Contest, Walking magazine, Fifth Prize, 1992.
Writer's Digest Magazine Writing Competition, Honorable Mention, 1989.