Kathy

I was wondering if you accept guest post for your blog. If you do, I would like to submit a few. You can see a sample of my work at LaptopComputers.org under the author James Mowery. I’ve also written for several high-profile blogs like Mashable, Performancing, and CMSWire. Thank you for your time.

- James

Let me say first that I received this volume as a LibraryThing member giveaway, and it is the first issue of a periodical published, apparently, on an irregular basis, soliciting writings from aspiring authors. (Perhaps someday it will be a valuable collectible!)
I was not familiar with any of the authors, but I found all the selections included here to be of at least passing interest, with the exception of “More Minimalist Fiction” (Lene Taylor) which struck me as a classroom exercise more than a serious attempt at writing.
“Kittycat Riley’s Last Stand” (Kelly S. Taylor) qualifies as Sci-Fi, (the only story that does), and was genuinely entertaining, though the ending seemed a bit awkward. Chad Denton’s “I” (a story of personal growth with a twist), and Colleen Wylie’s “Sunday Mornings” (about a not-exactly-open gay relationship and the pitfalls of such) were both very well-written, and interesting, and I think these two authors will be heard from again. “Road Kill” (Lee Balan) dissociates rapidly from scene to scene, keeping the reader off-balance, as much falling through the story as reading through it, and shows much potential. “Not Quite a Prince” (Kathryn L. Ramage) takes place in an “alternate timeline” and hints at the usual props, but does not actually use them, it seems more like an excerpt from a longer work of fantasy. “Don’t Stop Thinkin’ About Tomorrow” IS an excerpt from a longer work of fiction (by Kitty Johnson) about ex-President Bill Clinton, which had me thinking where I would go with such a premise, and curious to read the entire book. “Practice” (Ann Valente) is a very short story, yet rather long-winded in setting the scene, much less so in illuminating its two characters. Nonetheless, she succeeds in creating an empathy for the too-small boy who is pained by the ridicule of his classmates.
Ginger Mayerson (the editor) can take justifiable pride in this first issue. It reminds me of the New Directions issues I used to get from the City Bookstore many years ago, and THAT is a compliment. Storylandia #1 shows much promise, and has me looking forward to Issue #2.

Thank you for your excellent issue! (I will be happy to review issue #2 as well, if you would send it to me)

Got your comment…you can reach me at buffoonia / yahoo.