The Odditorium is one of "Ten Titles to Pick up Now." According to the review: "The stories in this strange and original collection bend genres - horror, mystery, Western - into wondrous new shapes." -O, the Oprah Magazine (January 2012 issue).

The Odditorium was named "Book of the Week" on Life Lift, Oprah's blog (January 9-15, 2012).

Melissa's work will be featured alongside that of Richard Bausch's at a reading by acclaimed actors for WordTheatre in New York City on May 6, 2012.

On May 21, 2012, Melissa will participate in a series of events sponsored by Sarabande Books, including a student writing workshop at Kentucky School for the Blind, and a public reading--with the “Four Short Story Writers of the Apocalypse” (Melissa with Robin Hemley, Michael Marton, and Caitlin Horrocks)--at 21C Museum Hotel in Louisville, KY.