So what happens when you think that you’ll never get more of your writing published and then all of a sudden you get invited in the same week to publish a Christmas short story in two different anthologies?

My first thought was, “Cool!” My second thought was, “Crap! I’m going to have to choose one over the other.”

What should I do? Which invitation should I accept? Then I thought, Turn down any offer to publish a short story? – NEVER!

The answer seemed simple to me—accept both offers and get busy writing two totally unique Christmas-themed short stories: one a joyous, sweet Christmas story; the other a twisted, messed up Christmas tale.

This happened in mid-October and I got busy developing two very diverse story themes: one a miraculous story of a young boy, a deathly ill mom and a magical plant; the other a twisted tale of a Santa Claus with an unusual cocaine habit.

The first step was to write two very diverse stories with differing moods of Christmas within a week of each other. The next step was to confidently secure a spot in both anthologies.

Then the process of refining began. I set aside time to self-edit both stories and then presented each to my writing critique class. Their suggestions were very helpful and gave me the insight needed to then rewrite each, edit them again, get them edited by third parties, more rewrites and a final edit before the actual submissions.

The outcome? I have short stories in differing styles publishing in two VERY unique anthologies.

One is still a couple of weeks from publication, but the second published last weekend and I invite you to take advantage of the free download of Tommy’s Gift in the Christmas anthology called A World of Joy.

A World of Joy

A global offering of hope for the human condition in the spirit of the holidays!

Click here for your free copy!