All of us writers, if we write a lot, experience hills and valleys in terms of acceptances, publications, recognition, etc. Sometimes there are long dry spells, and at other times (metaphors be with you!), when it rains it pours.
This past week was a flood. I had six short stories, each very different from the others, published within four days, and on top of that, I found that one of my other stories was nominated for an award. All this was fun and surprising and humbling, but since there's usually some kind of balance in the universe, that probably also means no more pats on the head for me for a while.
For now, though, I'm using my momentary good fortune (flash flood?) to rescue me from the agony of figuring out what to post here at SleuthSayers today.
My recent literary cloudburst began with the announcement that I have a story in the April issue of Mystery Magazine. (Many thanks, as always, to editor Kerry Carter.) This story was different in that it was shorter than usual, around 1000 words, and was one of those Solve-It-Yourself mysteries with the puzzle up front and the "solution" appearing later. About a fourth of the stories I've had published at MM have been those interactive-format mysteries, and they're fun to write, in their own way. Joining me in this month's issue are my old buddies R.T. Lawton and Jim Doherty.
Next, I found out my mystery/western story "The Donovan Gang" was chosen by editor Barb Goffman (thanks, Barb!) to be included in the current (#135) issue of Black Cat Weekly. This story was around 4100 words, had been previously published at AHMM, and was a Derringer finalist last year. It was different for a number of reasons: (1) it was a reprint, (2) it was a western whodunit, (3) it was sort of a coming-of-age story, and (4) most everything took place in a tiny, isolated setting (the interior of a stagecoach). Like the other five stories, though, it was just "unique" enough that it was great fun to write.
My third story published in this four-day span, "A Walk in the Woods," was released as a part of the April 1 anthology Dark of the Day, a book I've known about for a long time and have been looking forward to. The anthology was edited by the wonderful Kaye George and features tales about the much-anticipated and -publicized solar eclipse that's scheduled for April 8. My story takes place near one of the northernmost U.S. locations in the eclipse's "path of totality" that stretches from southwest Texas to Maine. The story runs about 3900 words and includes three men who set out on a mountain hike in search of the ideal spot from which to view the event, and who run into a couple of deadly foreign terrorists who've just crossed the border from Canada on a mission that has nothing to do with the sun or its moon-shaded rays. Boy did I have a good time writing this one.
The other three stories came out on Wednesday, with the release of the new Storiaverse app. Two of my featured short stories, "Sorcerer" and "A Night at the Park," are original stories, the first about a scientist using his latest project in an unscientific way and the second about a couple of prison escapees in the middle of nowhere who run into a lady full of lethal surprises. My third story, "The Messenger," is a reprint of a fantasy tale about a man who meets a modern-day "genie" who offers him a choice between two strange wishes. If you've heard anything about Storia, you know it's a new approach to short fiction, using animation along with narration and sound, that began development last year. Also along with me on this ride are my longtime friends Josh Pachter, Stacy Woodson, Bill McCormick, and Michael Bracken.
A further thrill for me was that--also on April 1--those of us in the Short Mystery Fiction Society found out which stories were finalists this year for the annual Derringer Awards, and I was extremely fortunate that my story "Last Day at the Jackrabbit" made the list. It first appeared in Strand Magazine and had already been good to me in that it was recently selected for inclusion in the upcoming Best Mystery Stories of the Year 2024. It's about a couple of locals on the run from the mob, and it's set in a roadside diner named the Jackrabbit. Half the fun of writing this one was its many mid-stream plot twists. If you read it, I hope you'll like it.
As I mentioned, this deluge of good news about several separate stories was welcome but is the kind of thing that doesn't happen to me often. Does it to you? What good things have befallen you lately, publicationwise? What good things are coming up (accepted but not yet published, finished but not yet announced, etc.) that might serve to recharge your literary batteries? Do you--like me--need that kind of occasional validation that you seem to be doing something right?
It's been said many times at this blog that self-doubt is something most writers suffer, from time to time. Personally, I've always secretly wondered if each publication might be the last one, or if the old idea-well will one day sputter and groan and run dry. So far it seems to be bubbling along, but one never knows. And then again, maybe all the publication droughts will someday go away completely, along with the publication doubts. Maybe the occasional low spots are just disguised opportunities to learn and improve. Maybe all clouds are lined with silver.
Meanwhile, keep writing, and may many, many successes come your way!
Congratulations all round!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Janice!
Delete!!! Congratulations, John. Some writers enjoy an occasional annus mirabilis. You, however, seem to enjoy frequent “weeks of wonder.” I doubt very much that your well will ever run dry.
ReplyDeleteEdward Lodi
How kind of you, Edward. Hope you're right.
DeleteFor a long time now, it's been great fun to write these stories. Like all of us, I can only hope it'll always be fun, and more play than work.
The business side of publishing is the only part I don't like, but you take the bad with the good.
Stay in touch!
Congratulations, John, on your string of successes. I always like hearing what's possible, if not for me, for others.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Susan--how kind. But you can't fool me--you've had plenty of successes in this crazy business. These recent stories got mentioned because a blizzard of several publications at one time is rare. I wish it happened more often!
DeleteKeep doing what you're doing--I always love your stories.
Congratulations John! I always enjoy reading your stories.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! If you see these latest ones, I hope you'll like 'em.
DeleteCongratulations, John. Catch a wave and you're sittin' on top of the world...
ReplyDeleteFor a little while, anyway! (Holding my breath.) Thanks, Steve!
DeleteCongratulations on the great week, John! I absolutely agree with you that things come in fits and starts. I've never had six publications in less than a week (!!!) like you, but there are definitely dry periods, followed by days when you can barely keep up with what's happening.
ReplyDeleteYep, and days when you reach 100 acceptances, which I understand you just did!! Congratulations on that milestone! And thanks for your kind words.
DeleteGiven your extra efforts on other things, Joe, I'm surprised you get much writing done, but you always do. Take care, and keep up the good work!
Congratulations on your continued success. I realize you've worked hard for this but it's great that you are enjoying it as well.
ReplyDeleteHey Jacqueline--thank you so much. More play than work, I'm afraid. Best to you in all your endeavors!
DeleteOh Lord, do we need that validation! I find it comes a lot less often, when writing novels, and is needed even more than when writing short stories, if that is possible. Which is one of the reasons I simply can't let go of short stories. That thrill of acceptance - and next, the thrill of publication - is addictive, but in the nicest possible way. It's a constant reminder that your writing is valued, and John, we certainly value yours.
ReplyDeleteMelodie, those pats on the head DO feel good, don't they. And yes, the thrill is addictive.
DeleteThank you so much for your kind words.
I ditto what Melodie said. It also was a pleasure to share your "The Donovan Gang" story with more readers in last week's Black Cat Weekly. It's a delightful tale.
ReplyDeleteAs to having six stories published in less than a week, nope, I can't say I have (except for when my collection came out). Other than that, I think I had three, maybe four stories published in a few days of each other a couple of years ago. When something like that happens, people think you are so productive, but I think it's often more like what happened with me: four stories I'd written over a several-year period all happened to come out at once.
Thank you, Barb--I hope BC Weekly readers like my story. It was a great fun to write. The job you and Michael do at that publication is so impressive--partly because it IS a weekly, and such a demand on your time.
DeleteYou make a great point! YES, those half-dozen stories sound like a lot, but they just *happened* to be published around the same time--they were written over a long period. The best possible feeling is probably when you write and COMPLETE several stories in a short period of time. (When you're--as we love to say at this blog--in the "Zone.")
What a crazy business!!
Loved The Donovan Gang and very grateful for all that goes into Black Cat Weekly.
DeleteThank you, Anonymous, whoever you are!
DeleteYes, thank you so much!
DeleteCongratulations, John. It was fun to vicariously share your good fortune. Paula
ReplyDeleteThank you, Paula. That's so kind of you.
DeleteI should have added but not as much fun as reading your stories. Paula
ReplyDeleteNow, that's REALLY kind of you. I'm thrilled that you enjoy them. (I'll try to make sure I deserve that high praise!)
DeleteWriting is part compulsion, part indulgence for me. We do it because we can't not do it. But what you call the occasional validation of publication is nice.
ReplyDeleteI can relate to what you're saying. After a bit of a dry spell, I now have two accepted stories close to publication. As much as I enjoy writing and fine-tuning a manuscript, it's nice to see my name in print. Call it a bonus.
Hey Mike. Yep, can't not do it.
DeleteCongratulations on the upcoming stories. That IS a nice feeling. And once they're in the hopper, you work on something else, right? Keep it going!
Absolutely!
DeleteJohn, you're amazing...and I'm very jealous of those who are by your side in the various publications. The green envy comes from a need to receive a big acceptance for a publication, same time, same theme, when your story appears. Those lucky folks! And thanks for leading the way.....Cheers!
ReplyDeleteYou are too kind. Thank you for the high praise, but I'm sure your stories will find their way into many publications. Don't give up!!
DeleteGreat going John, you seem to get the success most of us wish for.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Justin. I have been fortunate--I guess if you send out enough swallows, some of them will find their way back to Capistrano--but there are ALWAYS ups and downs, and besides, a writer's only as good as his or her last story.
DeleteKeep writing and submitting, and stay in touch!
You mention that your story The Donovan Gang, now in Black Cat Weekly #135, was previously published in AHMM. The submission guidelines for Black Cat Weekly are emphatic about them accepting only originals and not accepting reprints. Curious. Can you shed any light, or should I direct this Q. to BCW?
ReplyDeleteNo, Lori, what you heard is right. If you submit a story to BCW, they (Michael Bracken) want *original* stories (not previously published). But if they choose one of your previously published stories (Barb Goffman) to be featured in the magazine, it obviously has already appeared elsewhere. Short answer is, they publish both originals and reprints, but if it's a reprint THEY contact YOU and ask to publish it. At least that's been my experience, and I've done it both ways. Hope that helps!
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