The Spring issue of The Antigonish Review landed on my doorstep a few months ago. My name is listed on the front cover -- see, there it is with the name of my story, "Incessant Egg Layers," underneath. I've never been listed on the front cover of a journal before. It's a small thing, but it made me happy in a way that was totally out of proportion to the event.
As short fiction writers, we can receive a lot of rejection. Or silence. When our stories are published there is sometimes recognition, but usually ... nothing. That's why I was so surprised when a writer from BC -- a total stranger -- sent me a note through the contact page on this site to tell me why he liked this story. Again, I was absurdly pleased. It doesn't take much to make me happy.
I suspect I am not unlike many writers who toil away, trying to create a short story that will resonate with a reader. Even one reader.
So here is what I ask: If you are a reader that has been touched by a story, who nodded and silently proclaimed "yes" when you finished a piece of short fiction in one of Canada's great literary journals, reach out to the writer of that story. These days, chances are they're on Twitter, or they have a website with a contact page. The fact is, they can usually be reached. So drop them an appreciative line. Do it. You'll make someone happy. And maybe kick start their writing day!
As short fiction writers, we can receive a lot of rejection. Or silence. When our stories are published there is sometimes recognition, but usually ... nothing. That's why I was so surprised when a writer from BC -- a total stranger -- sent me a note through the contact page on this site to tell me why he liked this story. Again, I was absurdly pleased. It doesn't take much to make me happy.
I suspect I am not unlike many writers who toil away, trying to create a short story that will resonate with a reader. Even one reader.
So here is what I ask: If you are a reader that has been touched by a story, who nodded and silently proclaimed "yes" when you finished a piece of short fiction in one of Canada's great literary journals, reach out to the writer of that story. These days, chances are they're on Twitter, or they have a website with a contact page. The fact is, they can usually be reached. So drop them an appreciative line. Do it. You'll make someone happy. And maybe kick start their writing day!
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