Dana Awards, Novel Competition 2016
Semi-finalist, novel in progress, Blue
2016 Tucson Festival of Books Writing Competition
Finalist, novel in progress, Blue
2015 William Faulkner-William Wisdom Writing Competition
Semi-finalist, novel in progress, Blue
2014 William Faulkner-William Wisdom Writing Competition
Semi-finalist for the completed novel, The Quickness of Life (formerly titled Bedside)
Columbus Creative Cooperative’s The Great Novel Contest 2014
Top 10 Finalist, for literary novel Bedside
2011 William Faulkner-William Wisdom Writing Competition
Semi-finalist, novel in progress for Bedside
Writer’s Digest 80th Annual Writing Competition
Honorable Mention – Feature Article – 2011
For: Amphibian Attraction – ASU Magazine (Alumni)
Writer’s Digest 79th Annual Writing Competition
Honorable Mention – Feature Article – 2010
For: Attack of the Bee Killer – Arizona Monthly Magazine
Dana Awards, Novel Competition
Semi-finalist, 2009 for Whispers through the Meadows
Writer’s Digest 78th Annual Writing Competition
Honorable Mention – Feature Article (out of 13,000 entries) – 2009
For: Full of Beans – ASU Research Magazine
For: Exercise: the Best Medicine for Spinal Cord Injury – ASU Research Magazine
International Academy of the Visual Arts
Silver Communicator Award of Distinction – 2008
The 14th Annual Communicator Awards – an annual international awards competition recognizing outstanding work in the communications field.
For: The Art of Leaving – ASU Research Magazine
Writer’s Digest 77th Annual Writing Competition
Honorable Mention – Feature Article (out of 17,000 entries) – 2008
For: Too Small to See – ASU Research Magazine
International Association of Business Communicators – Tucson
Cactus Quill Award of Excellence – 2008
IABC Tucson’s Cactus Quill awards recognize the best practices in professional communications throughout Tucson and Southern Arizona.
For: The Art of Leaving – ASU Research Magazine
Council for the Support and Advancement of Education Awards of Excellence (CASE) – District 7
Silver Medal of Excellence – Best Magazine Writing – 2008
ASU Research Magazine won the medal of excellence for best magazine writing, based on five articles from various issues, including Melissa’s Full of Beans.
International Association of Business Communicators – Southern Region
Silver Quill Award of Merit – 2007 (Feature/Human Interest)
The Southern Region includes 27 IABC chapters in 14 states and 15 countries and territories. Winners are selected from among professional communicators working for major public relations firms, banks, energy companies, hospitals and major corporations.
For: The Art of Leaving – ASU Research Magazine
Council for the Support and Advancement of Education Awards of Excellence (CASE) – District 7
Silver Medal of Excellence – Best Magazine Writing – 2007
ASU Research Magazine won the medal of excellence for best magazine writing, based on six articles from two different issues, including Melissa’s The Art of Leaving.
Writer’s Digest 76th Annual Writing Competition
Honorable Mention – Feature Article (11th place out of 19,000 entries) – 2007
For: Artistic Intervention
Arizona Commission on the Arts
Professional Development Grant Recipient – 2006
For: Literary novel, work-in-progress
CIVIC AWARDS
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Arizona
- Big Sister of the Year, State of Arizona – 2010
- Big Sister of the Year, Central Arizona Chapter – 2009
- Big Thanks Award – 2009
- Big Scoop Award – 2002
