You are such a master at the short story, I am in awe. I'd only read one of these before, the novelist, which at the time had blown me away, but The Better Man, oh my, I am still sobbing over this one. I wish you well on the competition, but please believe that no matter what happens, your writing is pure gold.
My feeling exactly. Meg. I wish you much success in this. We writers ( ALL of us) experience so much rejection and we think we have prepared ourselves for it with so many rationalizations, but it always hurts. It helps to remember how many many people love your work, to go back and read their comments.
Thank you, Sharron. My Substack family is my safe place for sure. And I know I can always return here when my work needs a hug (or I do) and get what I need to keep going. 💪🏼
Thank you so much for these kind words, Mary Lou. 💜I'm grateful this contest opportunity presented itself, because it forced me to really look at the work I've done so far and choose the best and brightest stories and find a way to thread them together into something new and whole. I'm so proud of all of these stories, and no matter what happens with this contest, I will keep trying to get them further out into the world. Because I believe they're worth the effort. 🔥
Good luck, Meg! I know how nerve-wracking these contests are. I myself have submitted a flash to a competition (the one you gave me feedback on, incidentally) and am waiting to hear back at the end of July. Fingers crossed for you, and I will definitely buy the chapbook if it gets published!
Thank you, Andrei! And good luck to you on your contest as well. Whatever the outcome, it's not a reflection of our talent, drive, or worth. And if these folks don't want to publish my collection, I'll simply do it myself. Because I like the idea of having these stories exist in a tangible way for my readers. And for me!
Oh, good, good! I’ll have it in my collection soon, then, in whatever form it may take! Looking forward to it. By the way, I have a poet friend who self-published her first collection and then her second got picked up by a small press. So there’s always next time. You don’t have to settle for one or the other forever.
Oh Meg! I read all these before, but was inspired to read them again this morning, all of them. Each one is a little gem - emerald, diamond, sapphire, ruby! Beautifully conceived, expertly edited, poignant, moving and totally original. I am so envious of your talent. The very first story I read of yours was Galaxy Stalking, and it remains my favorite.
Aww. Galaxy Stalking. 🥰That's an oldie but a goodie. There was a page limit to the collection for this contest, so I couldn't include all my favorite human stories, but if this shot doesn't go my way, I many expand the collection to include a few more gems and self-publish it. Putting it together was kind of a thrill, especially once I figured out the "throughline." 💜Thank you, Sharron, for your unfaltering support of my work. I so appreciate it. And YOU!
Well, I wish you even better success than you hope for. It would be well deserved. You are OUT there working your heart out all the time to be successful. And if you do self-publish, I will be your first and most avid buyer.
Before I finish the stories I wanted to with you the best in the contest. Break a pen. I read the first story. It’s wonderful. Looking forward to the rest. 🙏🙏
This is so exciting … Bon Chance as they say around here.
Mercy Buckets, as they say around here. 😉
🙌
Nice selection. Break a leg, as they say.
The show must go on.
Haven't even read them all again yet, which I will, but I think this is the perfect thing for you to do! And the perfect best stories!!
Thanks, ma!
You are such a master at the short story, I am in awe. I'd only read one of these before, the novelist, which at the time had blown me away, but The Better Man, oh my, I am still sobbing over this one. I wish you well on the competition, but please believe that no matter what happens, your writing is pure gold.
My feeling exactly. Meg. I wish you much success in this. We writers ( ALL of us) experience so much rejection and we think we have prepared ourselves for it with so many rationalizations, but it always hurts. It helps to remember how many many people love your work, to go back and read their comments.
Thank you, Sharron. My Substack family is my safe place for sure. And I know I can always return here when my work needs a hug (or I do) and get what I need to keep going. 💪🏼
Thank you so much for these kind words, Mary Lou. 💜I'm grateful this contest opportunity presented itself, because it forced me to really look at the work I've done so far and choose the best and brightest stories and find a way to thread them together into something new and whole. I'm so proud of all of these stories, and no matter what happens with this contest, I will keep trying to get them further out into the world. Because I believe they're worth the effort. 🔥
Good luck, Meg! I know how nerve-wracking these contests are. I myself have submitted a flash to a competition (the one you gave me feedback on, incidentally) and am waiting to hear back at the end of July. Fingers crossed for you, and I will definitely buy the chapbook if it gets published!
Thank you, Andrei! And good luck to you on your contest as well. Whatever the outcome, it's not a reflection of our talent, drive, or worth. And if these folks don't want to publish my collection, I'll simply do it myself. Because I like the idea of having these stories exist in a tangible way for my readers. And for me!
Oh, good, good! I’ll have it in my collection soon, then, in whatever form it may take! Looking forward to it. By the way, I have a poet friend who self-published her first collection and then her second got picked up by a small press. So there’s always next time. You don’t have to settle for one or the other forever.
🥂🥂🥂
Oh Meg! I read all these before, but was inspired to read them again this morning, all of them. Each one is a little gem - emerald, diamond, sapphire, ruby! Beautifully conceived, expertly edited, poignant, moving and totally original. I am so envious of your talent. The very first story I read of yours was Galaxy Stalking, and it remains my favorite.
Aww. Galaxy Stalking. 🥰That's an oldie but a goodie. There was a page limit to the collection for this contest, so I couldn't include all my favorite human stories, but if this shot doesn't go my way, I many expand the collection to include a few more gems and self-publish it. Putting it together was kind of a thrill, especially once I figured out the "throughline." 💜Thank you, Sharron, for your unfaltering support of my work. I so appreciate it. And YOU!
Well, I wish you even better success than you hope for. It would be well deserved. You are OUT there working your heart out all the time to be successful. And if you do self-publish, I will be your first and most avid buyer.
Good luck! This is exciting!
Thank you, Jason! 💜💜💜
Best of luck, Meg!
Cheers, Ben! 🥂
Tons of luck!!!! 😻 And thank you for compiling them for us in one quick last look!!
Thank you! And thanks for looking! 😊
Squeeeee!
Before I finish the stories I wanted to with you the best in the contest. Break a pen. I read the first story. It’s wonderful. Looking forward to the rest. 🙏🙏
Thank you for the boost! And I'm thankful every day that our paths crossed. 😊 I'll keep you posted on my contest journey!
Aye! May you reap the full rewards of your time and heart.
Thank you for the heads up—what a gift to have four days to read the best of the best from one of the best!
Thank you so much for your support, E.T.! 💜🥂
As you have alluded to, your best chance of success is when you are not afraid to lose. Best of luck!
YES! Success in the absence of dread, I call it. What will be will be! 🥂
Good luck, Meg! Hope to hear good news in August 🤞
Thank you, Claudia. There will be news, one way or another, and then... more action! 💜🔥
Good luck! Really enjoyed reading "The Novelist" and "Sweet Sixteen."
Thank you so much for reading my stories, Ororo. And for your support!! 🙏🏼
Well, I thought I had till tomorrow.....
Guess I will get to read them AGAIN when you win.
Best wishes, Meg!!! I’m so excited for you!
💜🥂