I’m in a hotel room in LA and the weather outside is a little cloudy, but some amazing news has brightened the proverbial skies: What the World Will Look Like When All the Water Leaves Us has made the shortlist for the Frank O’Connor Award, the largest monetary prize for a story collection (yes, I am pinching myself) in the world. The company is pretty great too: Robin Elizabeth Black, TC Boyle, Belle Boggs, David Constantine, and Ron Rash. And in September, I will be Ireland-bound for the awards ceremony. Could it get much better? I think not. I'm really honored and excited about the selection, and thrilled to be in such wonderful company.