My husband and I just returned from vacation, and today all of our mail from the past two weeks was delivered. Along with all the bills, advertisements, and catalogs was an envelope and a packet from The Kids’ Ark magazine. My first fiction story, which was accepted last year for publication, is now in print!
Though I started off editing and writing for online and electronic publications, I always wanted the thrill of seeing my work on actual paper. I do own a Kindle, and I love the convenience it affords. I don’t have to bring ten books with my on vacation anymore–I can download them and just bring my light, thin e-reader. However, and I believe most writers and die-hard fiction lovers would agree, digital literature just can’t replace the experience of reading from paper. It’s completely different!
It’s been a long wait to see my story in the magazine. I submitted the story in February 2009, and didn’t hear back from the editor until June. By that point I’d assumed the story had been rejected, so it was a joyful surprise to hear that it had been selected for publication for the magazine’s Summer 2010 issue! Since then, I’ve been waiting for the issue to come out. I suppose that isn’t a terrible wait; many of children’s magazines are accepting stories now for issues 18 months to three years away!
One 650-word story is a small victory, but a solid one. Reading my byline and seeing the illustrations that were drawn to compliment my story have really encouraged me to keep writing!
