Contact Me

On these pages you'll find links to where my stories can be found and some of my thoughts on those stories. Selections are broken down by year.
 
2003

"My First Kiss" appears in Chicken Soup For The Romanic Soul.

Here's the story of my first experience kissing a girl -- in the First Grade. If you've never read a "Chicken Soup" book you're in for a treat. Heartwarming and inspirational, this collection of short stories is sure to bring a smile to your face. My story is on page 206, look for it!

"The Gordian Knot"

This story appeared in the December '03 issue of www.Kenomazine.com. The Zine features stories that display the power of myth in the modern world. This is the zine's inaugural issue so I'm quite happy to have been included. Click on the title to the left for the story or on magazine name above for the latest issue.

"A Blood Red Moon"

This story appeared in the December issue of www.Alienskinmag.com. The blood red moon was real. The warm summer night in the city of Saratoga Springs was real. The rest I leave up to you. Click on my title to the left to read the tale. It finished 12th out 62 entries for Horror in the annual "Editors & Preditors Reader's Poll."

"A Company Man"

This story appears in the November issue of www.Demensionszine.com. You think your commute in the morning is hell? Check out what my hero has to go through. Click on the title to the left or on the name of the Ezine to go to the magazine's home page. My story is listed in the index. This magazine encourages readers to rate the story and awards a prize at the end of the year for the best rated story. So be sure to "vote early and vote often."

"Purgatory"

This story appeared in the November issue of www.Alienskinmag.com. It's a fun little ghost story that begs the question: "Who's the monster?"

"The Flight of the Blarney Stone"

This story appears in the November issue of www.QuantumMuse.com. I'm not sure how this story got it's start but when I came up with the character, I just fell in love with her. Besides, where else will you read about a middle-aged housewife from Dublin going to the stars to fight a war?

"Invasion"

This story is my entry in the October/November www.Anotherealm.com Flash Fiction Contest. The theme for this contest was: Invasion. I decided NOT to go with little green men.

"Betrayal"

This story was published by www.Alienskinmag.com in their October issue. It's a Sci Fi tale about . . . betrayal.

"The Game of The Pheonix

This story was published by www.Planetmag.com in their Fall 2003 issue. It's my tribute to "1001 Arabian Nights." It finished 12th out 81 entries for Fantasy in the annual "Editors & Preditors Reader's Poll."

"Sign of The Times"

This story was published by www.Alienskinmag.com in their September issue. The story came out of the experience a friend of mine had at his favorite coffee shop. He's still hiding under his desk. Click on my title to the left to read the story.

"Survival of The Fittest"

This story was published by www.Alienskinmag.com in their August issue. The story itself is the result of a conversation I had with a friend. I was complaining about some of the realities of the E-zine marketplace when I did the old "what if." The rest is here for you to see. Click on my title to the left to read it.


"The Well of Creation"

This short story won Second Place in the Anotherealm.com August / September Flash Fiction Contest. It was the result of a dream. Some say we dream only in black in white, but they're wrong. I dream in color all the time. I awoke with the image of the verdant jungle in my head and I could see the temple very clearly. I also knew what secret it hid. Click on my title to the left to go to the listing of all the story entries. Mine is in the first column, second from the bottom. There are plenty of other stories there so don't hesitate to check them out. You can even post your opinion on the stories you read to their bulletin board.


"Lost And Found In Ohio"

This short story won First Place in the Anotherealm.com May thru July Flash Fiction Contest. I wrote the story specifically for the contest and really enjoyed coming up with an idea that incorporated the contest's theme: "Tucker, Ohio is an imaginary community . . there have been some strange things going on . . . What you ask? That would be up to you!" Click on my title to the left to go to the listing of all the story entries for that contest. Mine is towards the bottom. There are plenty of other stories there so don't hesitate to check them out. You can even post your opinion on the stories you read to their bulletin board.


Submission Record

2003 wasn't a bad year for me. I spent it learning about the process of identifing and targeting markets for my stories. There were some great wins and a few greater disappointments. But as they say: "It's all part of the process."

2003 Submission Record Submissions Rejections Acceptances Still Pending
Short Stories 62 46 14 2
  Shortest response time from a publisher: 2 hours (via email). It was a rejection.
  Longest response time from a publisher: 6 months (via U.S. Postal). It was a rejection.
  Success ratio: around 22%