I was going to start this by saying, “‘I never thought I’d write those words”, but the truth is, of course I always hoped to be published in such a prestigious journal. It’s just not polite to admit your ambitions.
It also doesn’t take away my gob-smacked-ness that it actually happened.
It’s wonderful. It’s thrilling. And it’s has, rather annoyingly, made it impossible for me to wallow in all the excuses writers use NOT to write (“I’m not good enough”, “Nobody wants my stories”) because someone did want my story and that someone is the editor of one of the grandaddies of Sci-Fi magazines.
Things that will surprise non-writers:
- The payment, though rated as ‘professional’, would in no way would allow me to support myself by publishing short stories even if I could get one published every week.
- There is no guarantee that anyone will ever want another story from me (though if I keep writing and sending them out, I have as fair a chance as anyone).
- No-one is breaking down my door asking to publish a novel, a screenplay or anything else from me.
- The story is in a journal that is locked behind a paywall so may be read by fewer people that would read it if it was in a less prestigious journal.
It is, however, a publication that makes me eligible for several awards and memberships in organizations that I couldn’t have accessed otherwise.
It’s incredibly encouraging.
Analog published the Foundation stories by Isaac Asimov and I know my dad (a huge fan) would have been tickled pink by this convergence .
The icing on the cake would have been able to show it to him, but I know he’d probably have just shrugged and said, “of course!” (It’s a wonderful thing to have parents who have faith in you.)
I am absolutely delighted, and gratified that so many people are delighted for me.
Onward!