Book Brouhaha

How did you become interested in short stories? I've always enjoyed short stories. I've subscribed to various magazines featuring short stories for most of my life; magazines like Weird Tales, Twilight Zone Magazine, The Magazine of Science Fiction & Fantasy, Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine...While I also read a lot of novels, short stories pack their own particular kind of punch as well as convey ideas in ways a novel can't. As an author, do you think writing short stories is worthwhile?  Why? Definitely. Writing short stories is a great way to explore different ideas, themes, styles and characters without committing to writing an entire novel. For beginning writers, it's a great way to see if you really enjoy writing; a way to accomplish something with a shorter time commitment. And a short story from an experienced writer can be something sublime. What types of short story promotion have worked for you? I've announced the solo short stories that I have ...

Why Joel enjoys writing in this genre: The short story is a great way to explore an idea, develop a character, or experiment with form (sometimes all three) in a short amount of time. While a novel is a journey, a short story can be a side trip, pit stop or even the destination itself. That doesn't mean it's easy to write; you need to pack a lot of punch into a somewhat limited space, and that takes time and effort to do well. And when a short story is done well, it can be a very satisfying experience for both the reader and the writer. Summary of "Leave No Wake": Meet Mr. Varney and Mr. Johnson, two old men who run the Arrow Point Resort in central Minnesota. Situated on a chain of lakes, this quaint resort offers the usual amenities; shuffleboard, night crawlers, cabins for rent, and gas for passing boaters. Best of all, they offer the things that money can't buy; the most beautiful sunsets west of the Mississippi, the smells of campfires and motor boat exhau...