A little while ago, someone posted on a writing community Discord server about submissions for a noir-focused anthology. Navigating over to the submissions page, the anthology focused on flash fiction stories to grip the reader and not let go.
Perchance, as part of the NYC Midnight competition, I’d written a sci-fi story (which placed first in my group) with a noir-style bent. The submission prompt stated an interest in genre-bending stories as long as they featured noir-style elements. I’d been particularly proud of this story and decided to submit it if it met these requirements.
As with most submissions, I forgot about it once I clicked submit. It’s the best thing to do, as Tom Petty once sang, “The waiting is the hardest part.” I’ve submitted many stories over the years, and the rejection pile is getting thick.
But what would you know? After about a month, an email came through, which I originally suspected was spam, congratulating me on the story being accepted into the anthology! Best of all, I would be paid for my story—my FIRST paid piece of writing. It isn’t much, and it won’t pay the bills, but it is something—another little step on this writing journey.
On a road full of nos (so many nos along the way), we gotta celebrate all the wins. Every time, we get a yes. Upon hearing the news, my wife sent me some balloons and gummy bears.
For a time, I didn’t want to say anything publicly. There was a lot of work behind the scenes for them to compile it, and in case something happened, I didn’t want to jinx it. However, at long last, the Kickstarter is live and it will soon be out in the world.
If you’re into noir or just want to support many great authors writing their hearts out, maybe go check it out. If you want to support the kickstart, that would be amazing. However, the anthology will launch on Amazon and elsewhere early next year.
That’s the news. I’m taking the win and letting it sink in. And then tomorrow, it’s back to the writing.
Onward.