Short Story Published in Quarter after Eight

After submitting stories to this journal since 2005, I'm totally stoked to say that my short story, "Kothar" was finally published in volume #18 of the journal of innovative writing, Quarter after Eight. And even more cool for me, Aimee Bender + Bonnie Nadzam are also in the same issue as I am. So now I'm feeling just great for a few minutes.

Novel Chapter from The Amnesia of Junebugs Published in Fiction

There are few joys greater than seeing your shit in print. That's a rule + I'm sticking to it, man. So you can imagine how giddy I was today when I walked into the Hollywood Borders + there was my story featured in Fiction # 56, my name being the first name on the front cover. It was a pure, inexplicable + dirty little joy. Even better, I had the privilege of sharing journal space with one of my favorite Japanese authors, Murakami Ryū (author of Almost Transparent Blue, Coin Locker Babies, "Tokyo Decadence", among others). I may get 100 rejections this year (like last year). I may--shudder at the point--never publish BLANK in its current form. I may not become the literary superstar I secretly hope/believe I am. I may not ever become a household name--which writers are these days? I may not even get the privilege to live in relative obscurity, teaching fiction workshops to aspiring delusional writers inside pretty-looking college seminar rooms. Who the fuck knows how it all works anyway?

But what I do know, what I know for sure, is that this moment, this perfect little moment is mine. And though it can never last, I know that in this tiny moment, I just published a chapter from my first novel in an awesome literary journal that you can buy pretty much in almost any Borders in America. And that makes me wanna cry for all the years no one could find me.

Short Story Published in ZYZZYVA

Finally! My Short Story, "$67.00 for My Favorite Dictator," the story I workshopped in Aimee Bender's class (which is called "A Full Cellar" in this journal) is now finally available for public consumption. You can check it out in ZYZZYVA #88, Sprint 2010, which is now in book stands (especially the great, local, west coast ones). Click on the cover art to read an excerpt of my story and/or to order your own copy. Or if you're really feeling generous, help the small literary journals + subscribe after reading this. It'll make you feel good about the world.

Short Story Published in Kenyon Review

My short story, "Cowboys of My heart: The Six-DVD Box Set," is finally available to be read online in the Kenyon Review. This experimental story uses a non-linear narrative to explore the theme of love triangles + counterfactuals. Basically, it's a short-story that wants to be a DVD. If you're interested, you can check it out here:

3rd Story Accepted in 2008

Today LB and I got a new care package that her Mom sent from Chicago. Inside there were some of the usual suspects:

Greenies for Zoe
Nurse Magazines for Erika
A copy of Vegetarian Times
Zyrtec
A mysterious letter from some lawyer
Rejections letters for me from: The New England Review, Washington Square, New Letters

But at the bottom of the stack--I always put the thickest envelopes at the bottom for the sake of build-up--was what every aspiring writer dreams about in his obscure literary career: a new acceptance letter, this one from Connecticut Review. Let me quote the exact page because it just feels so good to read it:

Dear Jackson,

On behalf of the Editorial Board of Connecticut Review, I am delighted to accept the work listed on the enclosed contract.

To help us prepare for the printer, please follow the directions for submitting an Electronic file of your work. The directions are attached. As soon as your Production Editor receives your work, she will begin processing it for publication . . .

I am very pleased to be publishing your fine work.

Sincerely,

M C-F

::

So, I'm really happy about this. The amazing thing is I sent that manuscript almost exactly a year ago. I'd almost forgotten about it. Now I have to send the editor an email and tell her I'm in Buenos Aires.

::

In related news, my lyrical essay "Piano Lessons" published in volume 10 of the South Loop Review is now in Chicagoland stores and in Columbia College's bookstore. Info about this issue can be found here.

Flash Fiction Published in Fringe Magazine

One of my shortest pieces of flash fiction was recently accepted and published in the very tight feminist boston-based electronic journal FRINGE MAGAZINE. Check it out:

Story Published in Ink Collective

My story "One Love" was finally published in Ink Collective

it's a paper journal out of Boston, but they popped up a few stories online too, and mine was one of them. it's a story about a smart, politically-minded car jacker. you can check it out here:

All right, now back to my novel in progress.

Delilah in Collision published in the Pittsburgh Quarterly

Recent rejections from:

kenyon review
epoch

Recent submissions to:

danforth review
new england review
north american review
nimrod
writer advice

Recent publication at:

the pittsburgh quarterly (the site looks great. i'm so happy about that).

recent--as in, just two minutes ago--acceptance at:

writer advice. it's an edited version of my response, but hey, i'll take it.