Not only did Jacob Appel
win first prize in this contest, but he was also a runner-up. How, oh how, does
the man do it? And why doesn't somebody collect these award-winning gems and sell them? How about you, Ms. Betsy Lerner? You read this blog (or at least you list it on your awesome blog,
The Forest For the Trees). Please
solicit the man and be our hero. Restore our faith in the system, in fiction, in the benevolent gods. Even if short stories are the kiss of death, maybe
Appel is the
next Alice Munro, minus that more reasonable country, Canada...but still. He makes me wish I were a better (third-gendered) wo/man and that I still wrote short stories, but two collections are enough for me. Besides, I have turned my eyes toward the lucrative goddess,
nonfiction, of the creative variety.
9 comments:
Will do, boss.
the secret is entering more than one story per contest.
Also check out this-- although he didn't win it, Appel had four "finalists" in the Chautauqua contest!
http://writers.ciweb.org/contest-information/
A question if possible for Ms. Lerner-- as an agent, how important do you think lit journal contests are for attracting your attention?
Do you think that's really Betsy Lerner commenting above? Wouldn't it be great if I really were BL's boss, and she contacted Appel, loved his work, and got him a publisher? I would feel nice about that.
WR, maybe you should ask BL for a finder's fee!
Jacob should darn well dedicate the book to you, WR! If not send you 10% of the proceeds!
Or at least, thank you in the Acknowledgements.
Or at least, thank you at one of his book tour readings.
Or at least, say a silent prayer for you and your amazing work.
Of course that's me and he already sent his stories. ANd no, Rejectionist, I do not split commish. But I will send you flowers if this works out. Or scotch. Your choice. And thanks for the heads up. Betsy
Sometimes we get trolls who try to trick us, so I wasn't sure. Anyway, glad it is truly you, and that you are on the case. (Fast.) J.A.'s stories are surprising, always with a great opener, and kind of wonderful, if I may put in my opinion. Anyway, we will certainly do all we can here to promote book sales, in case the editors are squeamish. I think he'd be a great brand, you know? No gifts necessary, just an email announcing the venture a success, or a saucy rejection instructing the man to post it here, so we can console him.
This is exciting! I'm excited! Can't wait for the next installment...
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