I received two emails in my inbox the other day, one on top of the other. The first one was from J. E. Taylor, the assistant editor at Allegory. I remember well, I was at my mother’s house, and I thought to myself, “ah, good, another rejection.” I opened the email and read bits aloud, “We really enjoyed your submission…” “…especially endearing to me…” and my mother cracked, “but we won’t take it.” And I laughed.
And then I realized she was wrong. It was an acceptance letter! I jumped up and much alarmed my mother with the sudden burst of energy. On the way home, I sang at the top of my lungs and danced a bit when I got home.
Then I sat down, opened up Yahoo, and read the rest of my emails.
What do you think the next email was?
It was a letter from Asimov’s. They were politely, but form-letterly, rejecting my submission. I said to myself, “they’re getting better! It took them six months to reject my first story!” And then I laughed.
The venerables were right. Before enlightenment, chopping wood and hauling water. After enlightenment, chopping wood and hauling water.
Regardless, I’m celebrating. This Saturday, June 19, 2010, I’ll be reading both stories, as well as my award-winning “Gods of War,” and perhaps a few others. I’ll be at The Rock Espresso Bar, starting at 5:00 PM. See you there!
Recent Comments