OH.MY.GOD.

Those are the very words I typed in response to the best, sweetest, most unexpected acceptance e-mail I've had in years. I typed other things too, in my rush of excitement, I had no idea what I was saying, I was just so elated that my story was one of SIX (yes, six) out of 100+ submissions to be selected.

Among other lovely things, the editor of "Southword" wrote: "...I just wanted you to know that your story blew me away, and this is the first acceptance I am sending out. I love it!"

I am doubly pleased that the editor of this issue happens to be somebody I admire both as a person and a writer: none other than the wonderful Tania Hershman, who really knows how to encourage writers, and fully deserves the success she enjoys in the writing world. I don't just mean this acceptance-- Tania is one of the kindest, most generous, and least snobbish of writers. I was fortunate enough to meet her through her short story site "The Short Review" a couple of years ago. My admiration for her and her work has inspired me to read, to write, to rewrite, to submit, and above all... not to give up, even when it feels like I'm not really getting anywhere with all this writing...

Thank you, Tania! I'm so looking forward to the next issue of "Southword".

Haiku

I haven't been in the best of writing moods lately... But it does please me when something of mine is finally published, even if it's a tiny little haiku, like this one that's just appeared in 7 x 20.

Here it is.

Miracle

Wow! I'm in LITRO's Climate Issue. I submitted without having any high hopes, in fact without any hope whatsoever... and there I am, together with the brilliant Tania Hershman and other talented writers. Thank you to the editors of this great publication: you really made my day, my month, my year...

It's a small miracle.