I’m taking a brief break from the What I Believe series to announce that my short story entitled On a Night in Shelby County was named as an Editor’s Pick in this year’s Literary Contest at Solstice Literary Magazine, and was posted this weekend. I also learned a couple of weeks ago that a story I wrote this spring was a named finalist in this year’s Fiction Contest at Salamander Magazine. So little by little, the wheel turns.
The editors at Solstice were a joy to work with, and really helped bring the most out of this piece. I’ve read all the stories from the last two issues of Solstice over the past month and enjoyed them very much. The stories really are diverse, imaginative and insightful. I feel very fortunate my story found a home there.
Because it is not possible to submit work for review after publishing it on a blog (or any platform really), I’ve been unable to share publicly the writing I’ve been working on this past year and a half or so. So I’m really excited to have the chance to do so now, at least with this one piece. I hope if you have the time you’ll check it out, (and some others, too!), and if you do, I hope you enjoy.
Embracing Forever 
So very, very happy for you!!!!!!!!!
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Thank you, Dennis! Very much appreciated. It is a joy to work on something and see it bear fruit over time. And also to share it with a friend…
Peace
Michael
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Yours is a rare gift, a unique vision. Many will benefit from your commitment to develop and share it. Peace!
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Thank you, Dennis… Savoring the moment, but plugging away here, too!
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Positive thoughts from here! Do that thing you were born to do!!
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Great times. Michael!! Congratulations and I am certain we will see many more coming.
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Thank you, Kristina, and for all your support this year! I hope you are right. Each piece is like starting anew, from scratch, without any benefit of the previous… but I think that’s part of the joy of any form of art. We continually must delve into the new!
Blessings
Michael
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Kudos on your story being selected Michael. I read it and am a little stunned by the story. I don’t really know what I think or feel, except you have a very unique writing voice. Congrats.
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All good, Brad! Thanks for taking the time to explore this one. I don’t know what to feel most of the time when I’m working on them. Ha! When you get your artistic instincts and subconscious going, you never know what will emerge. I hope ultimately it is good and serves people.
Peace
Michael
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Good attitude Michael.
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Congratulations Michael! Well done!
blessings, Linda
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Thank you very much, Linda. I’ve been thinking of you, and hoping all is well.
Peace
Michael
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a big smile
to your well
earned accomplishment, Michael!
after a quick read
i find it some
kind of love story 🙂
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Some kind of something, you’re right! Ha! It is a love story of course. I tend to gravitate in that direction… Love covers a lot of bases, doesn’t it?
Blessings, my friend–
Michael
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Ah, yes. This one, I remember. Congratulations, Michael. Very well deserved.
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Thank you, Julie. I appreciate it very much. This piece was fun to write, and rewrite. And rewrite. I’m quite sure you know the feeling!
Peace
Michael
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Fully deserved recognition; you’re an especially gifted writer, Michael. Now there’s something you can believe in . . . 😉
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Hahaha! You’re the best, Hariod. Thank you… What are you reading these days? I took a detour and started reading Dune which has bogged me down a bit. I’m enjoying it, but having read predominately literary fiction for the past two years, the contrast now is pretty intriguing. I miss Virginia Woolf for sure. Ha!
Peace
Michael
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Just read something autobiographical by Guardian journalist Decca Aitkenhead — okay, but someone else’s suggestion and not really my cup of tea. Next to read is Best Of Myles: https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Books/Myles-Harper-Perennial-Modern-Classics-Flann-OBrien/0007247184/ref=pd_cp_14_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=DBX39Z9RBBVNK58XMFNY The Third Policeman was brilliant, I thought, extremely funny and an old fave of mine — an allegory of the absurd (i.e. very Irish!). Yes, must read VW’s To The Lighthouse.
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Awww….
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So wonderful Micahel. Well deserved!
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Thank you, Val. I appreciate it very much. One of the amazing things is the time delay. I think I wrote this piece, originally, in September/October of 2016…
Blessings
Michael
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Wonderful! Congrats!
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Thank you very much, MW!
Peace
Michael
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Ah! My friend 😁 I couldn’t be more thrilled for you!! If I could find hands clapping on these emoji things I would send a whole line of them!!!! Your hard work AND TALENT is is extraordinary and for you to be finding success is WONDERFUL!! Enjoy it, Michael…every single second of it!! 💛 Sweet blessings
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Thank you, Lorrie. I am enjoying it! Thank you for sharing in that joy with me, which makes it so much richer. Hope all is well, my friend.
Peace
Michael
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💗
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I’ve just read the one at Solstice – a beautiful powerful work, and I look forward to reading the one at Salamander. Congratulations Michael! I’m not remotely surprised your work is being recognised.
Peace,
Alison
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Thank you, Alison, so much for taking that time. It is really appreciated. The one at Salamander won’t be published there. I’ve learned quite often named finalists are not published, though it varies with magazine and with competition. So it’s an interesting place to be: to be mentioned is a great accomplishment, but on the other hand the work is not yet visible, and then there are magazines that will not accept entries or submissions that have been Named Finalists elsewhere… Ha! Welcome to the literary limbo.
Peace
Michael
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I second what everyone is saying here – that you deserve this so much! Your talent and drive make you a shoo in to be published over and over. I love the stories. You are an amazing writer, Michael. Extraordinary.
Peace and love,
Mary
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Thank you, Mary. It has been a process, as you know, to reach this point. I’m really grateful as I said in the post, and look forward to working further on the craft. Your friendship and support have been a huge part of this, because there are certainly times when the support of friends provides that closure to an effort that allows for movement to the next.
With Gratitude
Michael
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Congrats Michael, that’s amazing!
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Thank you, Fizan! I’ve been loving the topics of your posts of late, by the way. Very interesting and enjoyable reads.
Peace
Michael
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Congratulations! I look forward to reading it!
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Thank you, JoAnna. I do hope you enjoy!
Peace
Michael
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-a beautiful and moving piece, Michael. I am so happy to see your work recognized. Congratulations on these awards. With your gifts, persistence, and dedication, there will undoubtedly be more to come.
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Thank you, Lanessa! I’ve been meaning to write back to your last note but was waiting until the piece was published so I could send you a link, and then I got carried away here! Ha! Will write more soon. Hope your summer’s going well. Did you get to see the eclipse?
With Love
Michael
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Hi Michael,
Allow me to add my praise! Thank you for stopping by my blog also, and reminding me to come over and visit (even though I could never forget!). I am truly so happy for you! I hope to be able to get the time to read your works, and feel grateful for what I have already been able to read and share with you, on and off blog!
Aloha, and kudos
Ka
P.S. To know that someday maybe someone will pick up my book just to read your foreword, makes me smile. It’s more challenging to release a book than people think 😉 I have so much gratitude to the people who have purchased my book in person or online: they get a glimpse of your writing!
Whoooooo wHOOOOOOOOOO!
Ka
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congratulations Michael, just got the time to sit down in some peace and quiet and devour your story in all of its finest glory. Your style never ceases to impress and amaze me and this one was no exception. Not the normal variety, but that’s what makes you such a good writer, I never know where you’re going to take us. I never expected Hafiz to make an appearance, this one was deep and dark yet still so you. Not sure if that makes sense or not. Kudos and congrats again. Keep it up, I’ll keep reading ❤
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Thank you very much, Kim, for taking the time to read and share your feedback. I’m so glad you enjoyed it! It was an effort, on my part, to show how we can struggle at times to make sense of what we’re given, and to fathom the Love that is all around us.
Peace
Michael
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