No, I didn’t sneakily finish my book without telling you. But a month or so ago, I did link to an online journal called The Story Shack, and what I didn’t tell you was that I had already submitted a short story to the journal’s editor. My story was ACCEPTED, and today it was published at thestoryshack.com. The story is called Absolut (spelling intentional) and it’s only 400 words, so you should check it out if you have the time. The coolest thing about this is that I got to collaborate with the excellent Sherri Oliver, who illustrated the story. THAT’S HER ILLUSTRATION at the top of this post!! Make sure you check out her portfolio: http://snozzyo.wordpress.com/. It was a weird feeling, handing the illustration over to someone else, but this particular story is a little different than my usual stuff, and I don’t think my illustration style would have fit the story. I think Sherri did a wonderful job, and the hard lines and gritty realism work so well with the tone of the piece.
Anyway, go read it and tell me what you think: http://thestoryshack.com/2013/01/12/absolut/
Also, consider reading my last post, if you missed it; it’s a blog post that sneakily becomes flash fiction, and I’d love to know what you think of it: Vanya Snapshot: High School Chorus
Grace Makley 
The story was wonderful! The link (in the first line) to absolute silence and then really tasting absolut vodka (at the end) was brilliantly done. You have managed in such a short piece to paint with just a few strokes of your pen the reality of dorm life for many young people as well as what a young male culture feels like – the way you describe the two guys doing shots together. And I am thrilled to discover the storyshack! I had no idea there was a site like that out on WordPress. Thanks.
Francis, thanks so much for your kind words about my story! They mean a lot. 🙂 And yeah, isn’t The Story Shack great? Not every story is brilliant, but I just the love the format of an illustration per story, and all the illustrations are quality.
Like I said, congratulations again! 🙂 I remember liking this, whenever I heard it–when we were all in your room in New Orleans? Either way, that’s so nifty that it has been published. 🙂 Just the start of awesome things!
Yeah, you probably heard it when we did that practice read-through (New Orleans was so much fun!) I’ve read this story aloud so many times that I’m pretty sure I have it memorized. Thanks for your congratulations. 🙂
Ha ha ha, yeah. xD I know what you mean. And dude, New Orleans was SO fun. Sorry you guys are gone and won’t be coming to Portland! ;(
Congratulations!
Thank you!
Congratulations!
Thanks!
Woohoo! Great job and congrats! 😀
-Emily
Thank you! 🙂