Hmmm…I seem to have been neglecting this blog! Shameful!
My apologies to those that actually find this thing
interesting. I’ve been a bit busy, and
with only a limited amount of time available, I’ve totally let my blog go.
Again, I’m sorry.
My last blog entry stated that I didn’t plan to write
any short stories in the foreseeable future.
That came back and slapped me in the face!
During the last week of March, I received an email from
Glimmer Train Stories magazine,
telling me all about their Very Short Fiction Contest. It’s open right now, and the deadline is
April 30th. Requirements are
that the story must be unpublished, and must be 3,000 words or less. First prize is $1500, publication, and 20
copies of the magazine. Second prize is
$500, and third prize is $300. If the
second or third place stories are published, the prize climbs to $700.
I was a bit upset about this, because my well was dry
on short stories, especially one with a 3,000 word limitation. I’ve had short stories turn into novellas…check
out Don’t Come Around Here No More – A Tale
Of Sardis County. It’s a great
example. So, I thought that I wouldn’t
be able to participate in this particular contest.
Then, the thunderbolt hit me, and out popped The Lion Sleeps Tonight! It’s a tale narrated by a retired British
Army Colonel, Quentin James Abernathy. I
like it, and I hope the Glimmer Train folks do, too…
Now, the other part of this story: My 76-year-old dad writes stories, too. He writes them mostly for private family
entertainment, even though I’ve encouraged him to publish.
This contest was the kicker for him! He had two stories that met the criteria, and
I walked him through the copyright process, and Glimmer Train’s submission
process. He submitted both stories, The Pecan Tree and Ham Sandwich. I’m very proud
of him for taking the plunge!
So, now, Dad and I are just hoping that one of us wins
something!
In other news, production is complete on the audiobook
of If You Could Read My Mind – A Nicholas
Turner Novel. Meagan Cunningham did
the narration, and has really brought that book to life! It should be available within a week or so
from Amazon, Audible, and iTunes.
Junior’s
Farm – A Tale Of Sardis County should be complete and on
sale within the next two months. I will,
of course, let you know when it’s done!
That’s all I have right now. I will find a way to do a better job of
keeping up with my blog…please stay tuned!
In the meantime,
Keep reading!
Michael (T. M.)
