The newest issue ofThe Paperbook Collective came out yesterday. It is a wonderful on-line magazine/hard copy ‘zine out of Australia. My short story Beyond the Boneyard Gate is featured on pages forty-one and forty-two. I hope you can take a few minutes to check it, and the rest of the contents, out. It’s well worth your time, I promise!
FUN FACT: I was moved to write this story after seeing, and being thoroughly disturbed by, one of my blogging friend Jennifer’s photos. Her blog of fabulous photography is here.
A Small Press Life: Books. Art. Writing. Life. Tea. 
A very haunting story, maedez. I liked how you put the poppies in the story – the flower of the dead from the World Wars and how they are claustrophobic in their abundance. The statue of the doughboy and the smoke bring all this to horrifying life. I hope the protagonist made it out of there alive.
LikeLike
Thank you so much, Judy! It was actually a lot of fun to write. I am glad that you picked up on the symbolism. I’m also glad that you enjoyed the piece. As for whether or not the protagonist makes it out of the backyard alive, well, readers can come to their own conclusions.
LikeLike
Congratulations! I’ve downloaded the issue but haven’ t had a chance to read it yet.
LikeLike
Thanks! Take your time; there is a lot of good stuff in this issue. Let me know what you think!
LikeLike
Congratulations! I’m so happy for you:)
LikeLike
Thanks! I rarely write about the specifics of my writing life (since this isn’t really an author blog), but I love both this publication and my story. I had to share!
LikeLike
hey, that was great. perfect for this time of year too. My favorite part was definitely the last few paragraphs. there seemed to be an immediacy in the final few images and the language was most stark.
I was once commissioned fora story based on images. It was a great experience. My only time doing it. Do you have a direct link to the photo that inspired you?
LikeLike
Thank you! The starkness of the language at the end was done intentionally, as a contrast to what came earlier. It was meant to heighten the transition from doubt to certainty, in both the protagonist and the reader.
Jennifer re-tooled her blog awhile back, and cleaned out many of the older images. I don’t think it is still on there, but I honestly was short on time to check. If I find it, I will let you know!
This is the first time I’ve written a story based on a specific image, and it was loads of fun!
LikeLike
If you’re able to find it, I would love to see it!
I am curious to try my hand again at another story based on an image. Oh, if I only had the time…
LikeLike
I will definitely share a link if there is a link to share.
It always comes down to time, doesn’t it?
LikeLike
She just posted a gallery containing the image that is the inspiration for this story. It is the first image. Here’s the link: http://giddysap.wordpress.com/2013/10/31/a-southern-gothic-gallery/
LikeLike
What a great photo (and others as well). So many questions and ideas are running through my mind.
LikeLike
Her photos are amazing! She is also a lovely person, and is the only WP blogger I have met in real life.
LikeLike
Congrats! This looks like a great publication and, for what it’s worth, I like that they use Issuu which is brilliant software.
I like the twist on the use of poppies. We are so accustomed to poppies being noble and self-sacrificing, but here they’re almost actively engaged in war.
LikeLike
Thanks! It was fun to write, and I quite like this publication. I was largely unfamiliar with the software (and have never used it), but it looks good!
Thanks for noticing the poppies angle/symbolism. I wanted to play up their malevolence in relation to war, and not their nobleness.
LikeLike
Pingback: PHOTO OFTHE DAY | News U.S. Journal
Rare to see anyone write in the present tense. It works.
You’re skilled, far ahead of the curve, I think.
Daniel
LikeLike
Thank you for your extremely kind words. They put a huge smile on my face. For some reason, this story demanded to be told in the present tense. I’m not sure that I would try this tactic for a longer piece, but I am (mostly) satisfied with how it turned out here.
LikeLike