Congratulations!
Posted by Melanie Vera (Member # 10072) on :
Congrats! That is a great step forward. hope all goes well.
Posted by wirelesslibrarian (Member # 9513) on :
Congratulations! Wonderful story, the first of many pro sales, I'm sure.
Posted by rcmann (Member # 9757) on :
Congrats:)
Posted by andersonmcdonald (Member # 8641) on :
Great news!
Posted by JenniferHicks (Member # 8201) on :
Woot! Great story!
Posted by tesknota (Member # 10041) on :
Loved it. You're on your pathway to further success! Excuse my awful pun, for it is late and I cannot help myself.
Posted by History (Member # 9213) on :
Wonderful story, Dustin (as I think I already told you). I am reminded of Lois Lowry's award-winning YA clasic The Giver. There is a potential for "more", here. Even a short dystopic themed novel, that seems to be very popular again. Think about it.
Respectfully, Dr. Bob
Posted by A Yeatts (Member # 9500) on :
Excellent story! Congratulations!
Posted by axeminister (Member # 8991) on :
Thanks Anna, and everyone.
I also must thank Snapper. I sent this to him over a year ago as a flash. He sent me back four pages of critique.
I admit, I was overwhelmed, but I could tell the info was good, and correct. I kept the printed pages nearby, and read them periodically, waiting for the right time to tackle them.
Sometimes you think a story is a story, but it's just a seed, waiting. Neil Gaiman is the ultimate example of this. See if you can find the history of The Graveyard Book.
Axe
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
Thank you, Dustin, but you are way too kind. You're idea, you wrote it, and you shaped it into the story we all read.
I will say the process you went through to get it published is an excellent case study on the work, perseverance, and effort a writer needs to do to make a pro-level sale. I gave you that long critique because I had a hunch you had something that was a hit but the story you wrote had a way to go. My critique of that first draft could be summarize as
Loved the idea, hate its execution
That early draft you sent me (as I recall) was right after you received a disappointing standard rejection, after a long 2nd round wait, from DSF. You were disappointed by my crit but you bounced back. I didn't even place the original story when you sent me the rewrite - such a transformation.
I would recommend all who wonder what they have to do to get published, read the story DSF published then ask Axe if you can read the first draft he sent me. It will help you gain a perspective on the level of commitment you need just to stand a chance .