I am rather delighted to share the news that I have a new piece of flash fiction published this morning in the online magazine ink sweat and tears. Ink sweat and tears is run by editor and poet Helen Ivory, who dedicates many hours to reading, sifting through, choosing and sharing poetry and prose. Titled a ‘webzine’, Helen runs the site as an ongoing display of creative works, rather than as the usual ‘issue’ format. As a consequence, ink sweat and tears doesn’t conform to a theme or style, instead it acts (as Helen so aptly puts it) like a magpie picking up shiny objects. I am very humbled that a piece of my fiction is one of these shiny objects.
Do head on over to the webzine and check out my piece of flash fiction – ‘Coober‘ – I promise it’ll only take five minutes, what with it being flash fiction and all. ‘Coober’ is rumoured to be flouncing about on the front page at present, and there are some rather shiny objects within the flash itself, which might tempt you.
In other poetry news, a month or two ago, a collection of poetry that I had put together for a Cinnamon Press publication competition was long-listed. I was very chuffed that my collection, Waterways, had made it into someone’s hands other than my own (finally), so being long-listed was the cherry on top. It gave me a bit of a push to submit some more work, and I am currently rather excitedly rubbing my hands nervously, as I have eight (!) poems and one flash fiction accepted for publication in a range of print and online magazines over the coming months of May and June. More on these very soon…
April 27, 2012 at 1:47 am
I love the man telling her what to step on. Haven’t things changed…
And incidentally, I ate the best chocolate eclair of my life (not excluding those consumed when I was in France) in Coober Pedy. Enjoyed the story, Elizabeth.
April 27, 2012 at 6:42 pm
Yes, the pointing finger! Thanks for reading my flash, Penelope – love it that Coober has the best chocolate eclairs outside of France
April 27, 2012 at 8:43 am
I dashed right over to Coober and enjoyed it, in particular the blushing, hot soil and the silverfish on the apple crate. Such beautiful images and naming of opals. As for the typewriter – in a class I took this week (ESOL), I discovered that the querty keyboard is arranged that way so that the typewriter salesman could spell ‘typewriter’ from the top line of keys. Even thought I’m a typist from the 60′s, I didn’t know that! I wonder what he’s asking her to spell? Congratulations on your long-listing at Cinnamon Press. How interesting it is to follow your blog and find out all these new connections.
April 27, 2012 at 6:46 pm
That is fascinating, Maggie – I can’t believe they developed a significant portion of a product based around the needs of a salesman! Thank you for taking the time to read ‘Coober’ and for your kind words about my long-listing – I really appreciate it
April 27, 2012 at 9:28 am
That’s wonderful Elizabeth! Contratulations – I’m so glad things are going well.
I’m impressed by Ink Sweat and Tears – met Helen Ivory at a reading in Jan and liked her very much.
April 27, 2012 at 6:56 pm
Thanks, Kathleen! Isn’t IS&T an enabling and comprehensive zine? Helen devotes much time and effort to it. Lovely that you met her (and Martin)
April 27, 2012 at 6:49 pm
Wonderful. Go you!
April 27, 2012 at 6:58 pm
Thanks, Sarah! Everyone is so supportive. Lots of warm fuzzies happening!
April 28, 2012 at 12:13 am
LIke your story, Elizabeth – the bit around the phosphoresence especially, the way the story seems to hinge on that image. Flash Fiction is an interesting form isn’t it? As much poetry as fiction. I like it. Bravo re. the longlisting. Great stuff!
April 28, 2012 at 4:28 am
Pleased you liked ‘Coober’, Mary! Flash fiction is a really interesting mix of poetry and prose – quite close to prose poetry almost, quite lyrical. Thanks so much for the kind words – I really appreciate it
April 28, 2012 at 12:28 am
That photo reminds me of Archie and Mehitabel! And I LOVE the story, thanks so much for introducing me to flash fiction. Like a poetry slam but actually, more fun.
April 29, 2012 at 5:10 am
Thanks for reading ‘Coober’, Belinda – I’m chuffed that you enjoyed it! It is a liberating form and lots of fun to write and play around with. Gotta love the photo, too
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