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About Rosalia

Baltimore City
Rosalia Scalia is the author the story collection, Stumbling Toward Grace, (Unsolicited Press 2021) and the forthcoming story collection, Under the Radar (Unsolicited Press 2025).  A number of her short stories  have been published in an array of literary journals, including but not limited to The Notre Dame Review, Amarillo Bay; The Baltimore Review; Blue Lake Review; The Oklahoma Review; North Atlantic Review; Pebble Lake; Pennsylvania English; The Portland Review; Quercus Review; Ragazine,… more
View Rosalia's Resume
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Baltimore Stories: Cocaine Concerto 1979

Set in 1979, Baltimore Stories: Cocaine Concerto is the working title for a literary novel that chronicles the experiences of Joyce, a 28- year old woman who struggles for financial security after having aged out of the foster care system. She becomes entangled in the off the grid drug trade to make extra money and then later attempts to quit when pressured to sell heroin. The story takes place in 1979 when Baltimore was transitioning from a manufacturing industry to a service one. The novel explores structural racism and class issues.

 

  • raising our voices for baker.pdf
    Rosalia Scalia worked with local writers Andria Nacina Cole, Carla Du Pree, Susan Mauddi Darraj, Kendra Kopelke, and Lalita Noronha to launch a reading series featuring diverse readers and attracting a more diverse audience. Held at the Impact Hub, the event also featured music by LEA and drew a standing room only audience. It is part of an ongoing effort to further integrate the local writing communities.

    • Stories that explore the human condition

    Scalia's stories explore the human condition and remind readers that regardless of background and socio-economic level, we are all human.  Laura Fitch of Reedsy Discovery describes Scalia's stories as a "must read," saying, they are a "masterful, emotional telling of what we miss as humans. "

    Her work has been described as "entertaining, thought-provoking, and beautifully written. Ms. Scalia has a deep understanding of the human condition. She navigates through the lives of her diverse characters so that the reader is fully engrossed in their experiences."

    "Scalia isn't afraid to shy away from topics like race and sexuality, which is a welcome change of pace. Her stories are never simple, and peppered with nuance and deep ideas. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys riveting, emotional stories with interesting characters and for whoever needs a gentle, kind reminder that we are all human."
    • An Author Reading with Taylor Garcia and Rosalia Scalia
      Rosalia Scalia’s fiction has appeared or is forthcoming in The Oklahoma Review, North Atlantic Review, Notre Dame Review, The Portland Review, and Quercus Review, among many others. She holds an MA in writing from Johns Hopkins University and is a Maryland State Arts Council Independent Artist's Award recipient. She won the Editor's Select award from Willow Review and her short story in Pebble Lake was nominated for a Pushcart Prize. She lives in Baltimore with her family. Her collection "Stumbling Toward Grace" was published by Unsolicited Press in 2021. Her second story collection is forthcoming in Jan. 2025
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