A couple pieces of encouraging news, perhaps, dear struggling writers. I had a couple short stories accepted for publication in recent weeks. As a fellow writer recently said, “You've got to keep trying. Somebody will like what you wrote.”
That’s a bit of sunshine. And it’s likely true. But the stories: “The Crossing,” about two men in a boat trying to cross the Atlantic, was accepted by JayHenge Publishing. JayHenge is a small, but paying publisher. I was flattered when they wanted it for their Masque & Maelström: The Reluctant Exhumation of Edgar Allan Poe anthology. Being associated with Poe in any way feels good.
The second story, “St. Spiders’ Day,” had been brewing in my mind for years—yes, this is a long game! A friend pointed me to The Creepy podcast. Since the story hadn’t been written, I followed their guidelines of what they wanted. It worked.
I recently heard a successful writer (one who has managed to get a novel published by a small but respected press) say that she doesn’t have time to read all the journals to which she submits stories. I was glad to hear that, because if you’re a working writer—have a job to keep you alive—time for reading all the journals to which you have to submit to get accepted is impossible. I was glad to have someone confirm that.
I realize that means my stories are likewise seldom read. I have yet had someone email me saying, “I just read your story and I liked it.” There are a lot of publications out there and getting anyone to read something that even comes out in print (a few of mine have) is a very chancy thing.
Then why do it? You never know. Maybe some story will be found and will get some attention. I personally hope to publish a collection of stories some day. Any excuse to keep on writing will do. It’s nice to have my 33rd story accepted as I continue to work on 34. Don't give up.
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