Yesterday, I was surprised and delighted to see that my book was reviewed by Kelly Jarvis over at The Fairy Tale Magazine. It’s the first time one of my books has been reviewed in a magazine, and I’ve been doing all the things to celebrate: squeeing, listening to my CC&S playlist, dancing, baking cookies. Here is the link if you are curious:
https://www.fairytalemagazine.com/post/review-by-kelly-jarvis-clever-cursed-and-storied-by-amy-trent
Now seems as good a time as any to share that one of my short stories will be published in The Fairy Tale Magazine’s May 1 issue. I’ve been having a lot of fun reading their “Throwback Thursday” blogpost and am very excited to read the new issue. I may also be excited to see my story in print. You can read more about that here:
https://www.fairytalemagazine.com/post/chosen-authors-for-may-1-issue
Writing short stories can provide a very welcome, helpful break from drafting novels. My mentor says she often pens a short story as a palate cleanser after finishing a novel. I am still stuck in the middle of my next fairy tale, rom-com, middle grade, and cozy Christmas. Working on four different projects at once is ill advised, so why not start a fifth, right? Creativity works in strange ways over here. It was incredibly satisfying to FINISH a project, even if it was a small one. Finishing is a very rare and wonderful high. Since submitting this story, I have wrote, revised, finished, and submitted two other shorts to a couple other literary places. Here’s hoping they find homes too.
I don’t often share my good news because I get anxious/worried that I will alienate my readers with how trivial it may appear. My mile markers look like molehills to most. But I celebrate every favorable rating and review I get on Amazon, Goodreads, Kobo, Bookbub, Apple, Google, and B&N. I get excited over every one of my sales. I have a party on the good days when the plot holes smooth themselves out and words flow. I take a victory lap around the block after a good critique session. I often spend way too long crying on the floor after an edit letter because the book works.
To everyone who has taken the time to share how they connected with my stories, I am so grateful. I could write a blog post about each of you. Happy reading and happy spring! This is a throw back picture of crocuses from last year’s Spring Break, but ours are at last starting to peep up above the ground.