This morning, I've posted another short story in the collection To Make a Long Story Short. This golden oldie comes from 1969, when I was first attempting to become a 'serious writer of fiction.' I had several good models for my work. I remember being into various Russian authors and into the literary fiction published by such renowned magazines as The Atlantic Monthly.
Dear Dr. Kellogg, chairman of the English Department, kindly read "Twenty Years is Better" and told me he didn't think it was quite ready for The Atlantic Monthly, but after I retyped it, I sent it anyway. They were not quite as kindly in their rejection. I chalked it up to not having sent out enough queries.
Well, it languished in the archives for forty-two years, but I've pulled it out, retyped it, corrected the most egregious errors, and exposed it to sunlight again. I have to say, it's still not ready for The Atlantic Monthly, but the story has lasted longer than the magazine. A descendant of the magazine is around, but they no longer publish short stories. I'd like to think it's because they didn't publish mine. The term "cringe-worthy" comes to mind.
I have several more stories in the archives that I'll be dusting off this year, including more ultra-shorts, some pretty decent fiction, and a few moldy, oldies. Enjoy!