I received the following notification today:

Dear Matthew Henry,

I'm writing to let you know that "many strange apparitions" was selected as a finalist in The 2019 Orison Chapbook Prize. Congratulations!

While your manuscript was not selected as the winner, you should feel proud of being named a finalist out of a pool of over 325 manuscripts! Choosing a winner was truly difficult.

We'll announce the winner and finalists on our website and on social media shortly.

Thank you for sending such fine work, and best wishes for your writing.

Always the bridesmaid…

Many Strange Apparitions is one iteration of a book of sonnets I’ve been working on for quite some time, and whose individual pieces have been accepted at publications such as Amethyst Review, The Other Journal, Rhino, Rock and Sling, 3Elements Literary Review, Spiritus, and The Windhover among others.

Until they find publication as a collection, I’ll take this honor as a push in the right direction.