I’m happy to say that the story I delivered at The Monti in Carrboro, NC, in September has been nominated for the ridiculously prestigious and coveted Hippo Award as a finalist in the Best Overall Story category. The competition is steep, so I’m thrilled to be among the final four (my book-related story about my Uncle Tony and his search for his Aunt Maria in Italy during WWII was a Hippo finalist last year).

To check out all the finalists, click here. To vote, click here.

Tuesday night at The Monti in Durham, N.C., program creator Jeff Polish will award what he calls the 1st Annual Hippo Awards. Each month, The Monti features a half-dozen regular folks invited to tell a true story in 15 minutes or less to a live (always packed) audience. No notes or scripts are allowed. Last July 22, Jeff invited me to share the story of “Uncle Tony and the First Miracle,” which I adapted from my book. Jeff liked it well enough to make it one of three nominees in the Best Overall story category.

Details are here. I’ll let you know how who won.

UPDATE: I didn’t win, but I hear the voting was really close!