No – not like a novel, like a novelty. What? Being published.

Almost exactly two years ago, I had two of my own novels in hand, both in their finished – but raw – form. Okay, not technically in hand, on computer is more like it. I told myself “These rock, I need an agent.” and set out to find one. I had only a vague idea of how these things worked at the time. As in – my synopsis had to be engaging enough to garner a partial request, and I would probably get rejected a lot.

I’ve learned since then. I did get rejected – all five queries I sent out. Not really a lot, now that I know more about the way of things. Those two novels are still sitting unfinished on my hard drive, but one is much further than before, and I’m about to finish polishing it and start to query it again.

So what have I been doing in the last two years instead? Well, I finished another first draft of a novel. I have 3 now not going anywhere. But I also wrote a lot of short stories. About a year ago, I joined a reviewing group focused on helping people get short stories and poetry published. I thought “this ought to be a good stepping stone for my novel career”.

It’s become its own beast. A whirlwind of creation, feedback, inspiration and…publishing credits. The rush that comes with that first acceptance letter – no matter what it’s for – is undeniable and amazing. It didn’t hurt for me that mine also came with a check. It’s enough to kick a person’s butt into gear and start sending out more.

I just got my sixth acceptance today for a short story, and the feeling never gets old. This one is near and dear to my heart, because it’s the first short story I ever tried submitting. The very first place I sent it (way back then a year ago) asked for a rewrite, and then just…just…couldn’t take it. They were polite, kind, and encouraging (fortunately for my delicate sensitivities). And now someone has picked it up.

It’s coming out at the beginning of August. Skive Magazine, and if anyone goes and takes a look, you might remember seeing it when I had it up on writing.com. I’m sure I’ll be back in two weeks to remind everyone to go look it up on Amazon. Oh yeah – it will also be the first one I’m in to appear on Amazon.com. Four out of five of the others will be as well, but their publication dates are a little further off, so I get to link to this one first.