> Not just grimy and questioning but hard-boiled, noir. Getting any story published is a kaleidoscopic adventure. Colors intersecting words with patterns and light. Thoughts crashing and burning and tons of restless nights. Then words come together and start to sing in a new, more brilliant form. Paths open that were previously invisible to me. And, darn! My creative focus is a reset. I think this means I’m evolving as a writer and this is thanks to the fantastic editors and creatives, Dianne and David of Devil’s Party Press. Who are publishing my short noir fiction: “Get on Home” coming out from Hawkshaw Press.

The short of it is, I had a great story about a rough, young man who gets out of prison, and by the time he gets to his Colorado hometown by bus, it is super late and there is not a taxi in sight. It is also flipping cold and dead still in this little town where our hero has arrived. The only open place is the old, corner bar. The story was not more than 3500 words, just a slightly creepy overview of this felon’s first night of freedom. Well, I wanted it edited by a prof because I sensed the story was missing something, some sharp stick or twist. 

Using Reedsy.com to hire a professional, I found David Yukovich.  He read my piece and gave me some great editorial feedback, exactly what I paid for!  Well, after making his suggested improvements, I still felt off, like the story didn’t sing as I expected. Insecurity flooded me, I was sure the story wasn’t communicating my message.

SO, I got back on Reedsy and shared all my writer insecurities with David Y.  Well, the huge surprise was David had shown my story to Dianne, another editor and chief honcho at Devil’s Party Press, and she wanted to publish it, as is, noir dark with ambiguity and questions unanswered.  WOW, I mean, something I thought was not good enough, Devil’s Party and Dianne and Dave thought it was! This is like a dream! A good dream! They told me it was dark,  and perfect.  I love those words: dark / perfect.  Oh! another story idea is coming…

THE BIG launch is June or July ! Stay tuned and sign up on my contact page-here.

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