Here’s me tooting my own horn. TOOT!
Ann gave me printouts of the comments that Victoria Strauss and Kathleen O’Malley made about my story “Running On Two Legs.” I was walking on air after I read them.
From Victoria Strauss:
“It’s a beautiful story–touching without being sentimental, with chracters that come believably to life even in the short space of 7,500 words. It’s very well-written; the narrative flows smoothly throughout, and draws to a perfect close. The animals are wonderful; I was especially struck by how right the animal dialogue was–from Henry the busy greyhound, to weary Mama Skunk, to the birds–which, surely, would talk just this way if they could talk. I don’t have any structural criticisms at all. It seems right to me just as it stands.
“Thanks for giving me the chance to read this lovely story–it’s a privilege to encounter an up-and-coming writer at the start of her career.”
From Kathleen O’Malley:
“Thanks for the opportunity to read this wonderful story.
“It doesn’t need any improvement. It’s just fine. It’s emotionally wrenching, and yet joyful. At 7,341 words it’s longer than the 5,000 magic-word-number most markets like, but I’d send it to them anyway just as it is. It’s a very professional, very well-written story, with good characterizations, even of extremely minor characters, an interesting story-line, and a fine turn-of-phrase. If this writer can keep this up, she shouldn’t have any trouble breaking into pro markets.”
Now if only someone will buy it . . .
That is totally awesome. Way to go!
Now write something else. [evil grin]
“Now write something else“
Yes, Ma’am!
Congrats!
Thanks! But probably best to hold off on the congrats until (if) I sell it
Hey, praise is always good, even if it doesn’t get you anywhere. I did a remix recently for my friend’s trance/electronic/industrial/whatever label. It’s not out yet and I doubt I’ll really make any money off of it whatsoever, but one of the local DJs in StL has already started playing it. People dance to it and he’s put it on a DJ mixtape. While this probably isn’t my first step into taking over the music world, it felt pretty cool.
That rocks! Mega congrats to you!
Hey, that’s awesome! I can’t wait to buy a copy when it’s published.
Heh. I can’t wait for someone to publish it . . .
Wow. Once again, my turn to be envious of you. 🙂
That is seriously cool. In fact, I wonder if you couldn’t use those quotes to help sell it? I mean, you don’t want to just slap ’em down in a cover letter, but there should be some to say, “Oh, and by the way, here’s a list of people you’ve heard of and what they thought of it…”
In any case, I’ve do doubt with those reactions that you’ll find someone to publish it.
“I wonder if you couldn’t use those quotes to help sell it?“
Hee! Our brains must be similarly wired. I included a couple of choice quotes in my cover letter when I sent it out yesterday. Anything to get out of the slush!