"Exit Stage Right" by Maria Illich is featured in Ekstasis Magazine (June 2023)

https://www.ekstasismagazine.com/poetry/2023/exit-stage-right

Maria Illich's short story "Night Vision" is featured in the Woodlands Anthology  published by Moon Shadow Sanctuary Press. Also included in the anthology is her husband Greg's poem "In a Fading Time."

https://www.amazon.com/woodlands-nature-magic-mystery-myth-d-ellis-phelps/dp/B0BPGKY84R

Press Women of Texas

PWT 2021 Communications Contest

2nd Place in Short Story, Fiction, “Dark Phoenix”

Featured In the anthology Purifying Wind

https://www.amazon.com/purifying-wind-editor-ellis-phelps/dp/0578671107

National Federation of Press  Women 

NFPW 2020 Communications Contest

1st Place in Children's Books, Fiction: The Legend of the Ladybug by Maria Illich

https://www.boscopublishing.com/publications-products/legend-of-the-ladybug

Editor's Choice Award

"Dark Phoenix" by Maria Illich

Featured in Purifying Wind, an anthology celebrating the vulture

"This work is tender and beautiful. I sobbed in the reading of it." - Editor D. Ellis Phelps

https://www.amazon.com/purifying-wind-editor-ellis-phelps/dp/0578671107

Press Women of Texas
PWT 2020 Communications Contest Awards:

1st Place in Children’s Books, Fiction:
The Legend of the Ladybug by Maria Illich
“Sweet story and legend. Encourages (children) to learn new words and concepts.” — Contest Judge

https://www.boscopublishing.com/publications-products/legend-of-the-ladybug

2nd Place in Single Poem:

"Cibolo Creek Addresses Humanity" by Maria Illich

Featured in the anthology Through Layered Limestone: A Texas Hill Country Anthology of Place

"Powerful, imaginative, and concrete! Powerful imagery. Very Nice!" Contest Judge

https://www.amazon.com/Through-Layered-Limestone-Country-anthology/dp/1082457078

The Legend of the Ladybug is named as a finalist for Best Children's Picture Book in 2020 by the Texas Institue of Letters.

Maria Illich is selected as a juried poet for the 2018 Houston Poetry Fest. She has  been selected multiple times in the past (2014, 2012, 2011, 1990).

Maria Illich’s The Morcant Twins & the Curse of the Griseum is nominated for a 2014 Silver Falchion Award.

Maria Illich’s The Morcant Twins & the Curse of the Griseum is nominated for a 2014 CYBILS Award.